“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.”
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Oh, to be able to say such words with an unwavering faith—even when the bank account is empty, our efforts seem fruitless, and the life we imagined has been cut off from us.
I will be the first to admit that there are seasons when it’s exceptionally hard to rejoice. Sometimes difficulty seems to be around every corner. We pray for our child’s health or for their wandering heart, yet see no change. We plead for God to restore our marriage, but each day the divide widens. Some seasons we pour ourselves into work or ministry, but are disheartened by the apparent fruitlessness.
We’re left with the question: “What, then, am I to rejoice in? And how am I to rejoice when nothing around me seems worth rejoicing?”
This is the beauty of Habakkuk’s words amidst a situation it which he, too, had no earthly reason to rejoice. Thankfully, he doesn’t tell us that we’re to rejoice in the things around us that are painful, as if we’re supposed to detach our emotions from reality and convince ourselves that difficulty in and of itself is a blessing. We aren’t expected to be happy about our struggles or heartbreaking circumstances. In fact, Jesus himself confirmed this truth by weeping at the sight of another’s grief, by sweating blood in response to pure agony, and by pleading with his Father to spare him from the agonies of the cross if he willed it to be so.
Instead, Habakkuk reminds us that the true source of our rejoicing lies in something beyond what we see in front of us. We can rejoice in the guarantee of God’s present and future faithfulness, even if we are yet to see the outcome we desire. There is sweet peace to be found when we place our needs and desires in the hands of our faithful Provider. For he knows us intimately and will equip us with the exact strength or provision needed at the precise moment it’s needed.
Because of this sure hope, even in the waiting and even in the struggle, you can say, “Father, I don’t know the end of this story and, right now, the disorienting middle is painful and confusing. I want to trust and rest in you, but my heart is anxious, fearful, and weary. But you are Lord. You are the sovereign God who parted the Red Sea, rose Lazarus from the grave, moved the hearts and minds of wicked kings to serve your purposes, and gave your own life for me. Help me put my hope and trust in you more than what I can see and feel right now. Give me a heart of faith that says, ‘I will rejoice in the Lord, rest in his strength, and wait with anticipation for how he will provide.‘”
As I have at times, you may be struggling to see evidence of God’s tangible care and presence in your circumstances at the moment. So let this truth wash over you:
Your hope and security are not based on your temporal circumstances, but in the Lord himself. Although he may not be coming to your rescue in the way you desire right now; although his promises may not seem to line up with what you’re experiencing at the moment, fight for truth to speak louder. And when even that feels like a losing battle, cling to the truth that Jesus won’t let you go, even when you feel like you’re losing your grip on him. As he’s told his people from the beginning of time,
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
Friend, if you’re in a season of painful waiting, may this be your prayer today. Even though I cannot see the fruit I desire, the outcomes I’ve prayed for, or any evidence of my circumstances improving, give me the strength and grace for today. Help me trust in your goodness and purposes, and rest in the hope of what you have promised me.
For “how priceless your faithful love is, God!
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They are filled from the abundance of your house.
You let them drink from your refreshing stream.
For the wellspring of life is with you.” Psalm 36:7-9
Home is around the corner,
Sarah
To read more of Sarah’s writings, you can pick up a copy of He Gives More Grace: 30 Reflections for the Ups and Downs of Motherhood, Hope When It Hurts: 30 Biblical Reflections to help you grasp God’s purpose in your suffering), Tears and Tossings (short evangelistic resource on how God carries our sorrows), or Together Through the Storms (for married couples navigating the trials of life). Lastly, you can now order Sarah’s Pilgrim’s Progress inspired children’s book based on the account of the Prodigal Son, titled “The Long Road Home” (Crossway).
Set Apart 