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Yet I Will Rejoice – Habakkuk

Yet I will rejoice Habakkuk

Habakkuk’s story can be used as a mirror for us. Even if we see difficult times ahead, can we still remain thankful? Can we echo Habakkuk’s sentiment? “Yet I will rejoice.”

SCRIPTURE

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. –Habakkuk 3:17-18

Below, you’ll find an excerpt from The Jesus Bible. It does a wonderful job succinctly explaining Habakkuk’s position and response—encouraging us to do the same. But it also offers an unique perspective.

Have you ever thought about how Jesus relates to Habakkuk? The Jesus Bible aims to make Jesus’ character accessible in all books of the Bible.

Read on to find out how.

HABAKKUK SAW

Habakkuk saw the sin of his day, its impact on the people of Judah and the collective corrosion of the nation. Seeking to frame what he saw with a lens of faith, he waited on God, calling out for divine help. But Habakkuk struggled when God told him his plan to punish evilness with more evilness. Would God actually use the wicked nation of Babylon to punish the (relatively less wicked) nation of Judah (Hab 1:6)?

HABAKKUK WAITED

Habakkuk waited for God to answer his questions (1:2-3; 2:1). He listened as God explained that the righteous would live by faith (2:4) and marveled as God promised that, in time, the earth would be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (2:3, 14).

HABAKKUK REFLECTED

As Habakkuk reflected on all that was happening in Judah and the devastation to come, he turned to God in prayer. He poured out his praise, his questions his longing and confusion. Habakkuk recalled Israel’s past, the era when God’s glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth (3:3). Then he reveled in the memory of how God had chastened Israel’s enemies and delivered Israel from those who sought to devour them (3:13-15).

HABAKKUK ACTED

Habakkuk acted in faith during this dark and difficult time. He thought about the future and imagined fig trees no longer budding, vines without grapes, olive crops failing, fields with no food, pens with no sheep and stalls with no cattle (3:17).

On earth, Jesus was a real person, experiencing life as we all do, yet without sin. In his humanity, like the prophet Habakkuk, he experienced a troubled heart. He knew he could ask to be saved from that dark hour to come. But he also knew that the brutal path of crucifixion was the reason he had come to the world (Jn 12:27). So in this intense house he prayed, “Father, glorify your name!” (Jn 12:28). In that moment Jesus, the Son of God, lived by faith and perfectly modeled for us complete reliance on God.

How do you focus on and praise God in times of disappointment or difficulty?

THE JESUS BIBLE

This blog is adapted from The Jesus Bible. Learn more about this resource on our website.

GET THE JESUS BIBLE

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29 Comments

    • Yolanda Nesbitt

      We see we wait we act the way God need us too !! Awesome is his word thank u Lord !!!!

    • Reginald Harris

      Thanks, I needed to hear this. For three Long years, has past and I still can’t talk about it. Just to Lord and Savior. Just to him. Thanks again
      Reggie.

    • Rosette Kas

      Oh wow. This was well said. What a great lesson for all us.

  3. Eva

    God is the beginning and the end,all things work together for the one who love him and live their lives to please him.

    • Lisa

      Thank You for the encouraging words during my current time of trials and tribulations ??.

  4. Carolyn Jackson

    Thank you so much , I needed to see and read this at this very moment‼️

  5. Lisa Harness

    This was great! Praise dongs, just being in God’s house.

  6. Kendra

    Often I get discouraged especially at the wickedness and injustice that is corroding our country. My heart hurts at what my children face, but this is a wonderful reminder that God is just and we must live by faith! This Word came right on time! I never read this blog though I subscribe to it, but I was moved to do so today and the message was just what I needed. Thank you so much!

    • David

      Kendra, yeah, me too … this one caught my eye, and then your honesty answered a question that I have because I’m seeing so much tearing down of all that was built as foundational good of our country, and wondering, “doesn’t anybody see what’s going on”, or, “does anybody feel like I do, how have we digressed so much, so fast”. And then I see that you feel the same, and I suspect that millions do, but somehow our leadership has “numbed the host” and it’s all happening anyways, contrary to our anguish about our loss. Anyways, this spoke to me, because this had the exact same anx, and praised the goodness of God. It all seemed to come together for me. Thanks. David.

      • Jamey

        In an attempt to encourage, when thinking about what will be left over, a remnant, I think of Elijah.

        When he despaired that he was the only one left in Israel who had not bowed down to idols, God assured him that He had reserved a remnant of 7,000 “whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him” (1 Kings 19).

        Jesus said in Matthew, “Many” will find the way to eternal destruction, but “few” will find the way to eternal life (Matthew 7:13-14).

        Being the feet to carry the message of the Gospel is our task. Carry on brothers and sisters.

  7. Daniel Isaiah

    A very encouraging message at my lowest phase of difficulty & strife. May God bless all reading this message and comfort each one’s heart. Hoping for a good job soon. Please uphold in prayers.

    • Chile Ekeugo

      Praise God. It is done and settled in Jesus name amen.

      Chile Ekeugo

    • Eric Martinez

      Daniel keep the faith brother stay close to the Lord I know he has something planned for you.

  8. Barrie Duke

    The prophet clearly saw the current predicament and only then the reality of the encroaching conquest.
    His prophecy consequently focuses on the coming of Jesus, and the spread of the gospel message in all its power. The message is clarified in the New Testament.
    This man saw over the international politics, cruelty, environmental devastation and warfare of his age.
    We must do the same.

  9. Karen Matamoros

    Praise God! He is greater than ANY obstacle we could face in this life. Glory be to God!

  10. Li

    I’ve felt distant from the Lord lately. I see my children all over the place spiritually (good and bad) and difficulties in my marriage. I haven’t been able to focus in prayer/praise, feeling overwhelmed, knowing my own failures and feeling like my prayers are bouncing off the walls. Praying for His Intervention, clear answers with a heart that listens,obeys,praises like Habakkuk . I want to be pleasing to God.

    • Andrea Schofield

      God hears and knows your pain. I was at a point in my life where I was angry at God. I didn’t want to admit it, but had to come to the realization I was. I was so despondent all I could pray was help me and my family. I was so angry I did not think my faith could recover. God met me where I was and restored my faith in him. I’m still going through, but I know God has my back and knows what’s best. God says For I know the plans I have for you. God is Love and he is sovereign.

    • Jeniolet

      Look to Jesus, believe that he paid the price for our sins. He loves you so much! You are valuable to him.

  11. Jay

    Thank you for this. I admit to struggling with my faith in God at these low periods in life. Jesus I want to believe and walk in your light but struggle understanding how to do so. Please Holy Spirit bestow upon me you guidance and direction.

  13. Chiagozie

    We simply have to trust God and his word!!

  14. Shondra

    Today is the first time I read the blog, God has a way of sending you a word when it is needed. My family is going through one of the greatest struggles we have ever had to face and I admit I had found myself questioning God. But I know God will never leave me nor forsake me, so I will continue to trust in his word and act in my faith! When man says no God has the final say, and I will continue to believe and trust in the word of the Lord!

  15. Becky Koehler

    Today, has only begun and it’s been testing to say the least.

    This blog and the Word of God is exactly what I needed to be reminded of how to walk through today with confidence and trust and joy that Jesus knows me and He’s with me today and always. Thank you Father God, Lorf Jesus and Holy Spirit. I’m breathing slowly and physically realizing the supernatural love of God.

  16. Adewunmi Olujemisin

    The case of the present day Nigeria typifies the case during Prophet Habakuk’s time. We live in a time when all that matters is to make money and it really does not matter how it’s made, even if it has to be at the expense of a man’s life.
    This is the time we need to move closer to Him, confess and forsake our sins for they’re many, and it seems as if nobody including this blogger is left out. We need to pray and ask for His forgiveness. He will hear us, for He is kind and loving.

  17. Dennis Dion Torrevillas

    Since my wife left me and my four children last 2017 (not for another man, or by death, she just left), life for the five of us has been difficult. Being married for twenty five years , contineously serving the Lord in faithfulness and this thing happen, it is really unbearable. Thanks to the God of peace. We learn and are being made strong in every circumstance.

    • Iyabode Akodu

      I read this early this morning and it encouraged me a lot, meditate on His word, wait on Him and act accordingly. No matter the dark days ahead we will surely rejoice in the Lord because He won’t fail us. Thank you Jesus for making me strong in your word.