14 day plan

Are We There Yet? Part Two

Day 13 of 14

NIV

Habakkuk 3:17-18

17Though 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,

18yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Reflection:  Yet I Will Rejoice

The dire scenarios voiced by Habakkuk are no small thing. There was no social security in those days, and no emergency food fund. If your crops failed, or if invaders stole your livestock, you were in a perilous position.

And yet the Old Testament prophet, Habakkuk, makes a declaration: he will choose to ‘rejoice in the Lord’ regardless. Wow! That truly is worshipping God with your suffering. It is making a choice not to let circumstances have the last word in your heart… and it is a choice that I invite you to make too.

None of this would make sense unless it is understood that Habakkuk could see beyond his circumstances. He could see the character of God and the hope of God – and in the face of all his setbacks, he could have joy.

So, know God… and choose to embrace his joy.

Prayer:  My Lord, I want to say that I will rejoice in your love even in the most adverse circumstances. But sometimes, in my humanity and pain, it is hard to rejoice. Please give me a joy that transcends all circumstances – for my hope is in you.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

Days

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2
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5
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7
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13
14

Habakkuk 3:1-19

Habakkuk’s Prayer

1A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth.

2Lord, I have heard of your fame;

I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.

Repeat them in our day,

in our time make them known;

in wrath remember mercy.

3God came from Teman,

the Holy One from Mount Paran.

His glory covered the heavens

and his praise filled the earth.

4His splendor was like the sunrise;

rays flashed from his hand,

where his power was hidden.

5Plague went before him;

pestilence followed his steps.

6He stood, and shook the earth;

he looked, and made the nations tremble.

The ancient mountains crumbled

and the age-old hills collapsed—

but he marches on forever.

7I saw the tents of Cushan in distress,

the dwellings of Midian in anguish.

8Were you angry with the rivers, Lord?

Was your wrath against the streams?

Did you rage against the sea

when you rode your horses

and your chariots to victory?

9You uncovered your bow,

you called for many arrows.

You split the earth with rivers;

10the mountains saw you and writhed.

Torrents of water swept by;

the deep roared

and lifted its waves on high.

11Sun and moon stood still in the heavens

at the glint of your flying arrows,

at the lightning of your flashing spear.

12In wrath you strode through the earth

and in anger you threshed the nations.

13You came out to deliver your people,

to save your anointed one.

You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness,

you stripped him from head to foot.

14With his own spear you pierced his head

when his warriors stormed out to scatter us,

gloating as though about to devour

the wretched who were in hiding.

15You trampled the sea with your horses,

churning the great waters.

16I heard and my heart pounded,

my lips quivered at the sound;

decay crept into my bones,

and my legs trembled.

Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity

to come on the nation invading us.

17Though 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,

18yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will be joyful in God my Savior.

19The Sovereign Lord is my strength;

he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,

he enables me to tread on the heights.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.