Habakkuk 3:16-19 AMP
16 I heard and my whole inner Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress, For the people to arise who will invade and attack us. 17 Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive fails and the fields produce no food, Though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls,
18 Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation! 19 The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army];
He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet and makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility]. For the choir director, on my stringed instruments.
Habakkuk spoke these words to the Lord after the Lord had told him of all of the destruction and judgement that was coming to Judah. He knew everything that was heading for his people and while it made him tremble in the flesh, in his heart and in his spirit man he was saying he would yet rejoice in the Lord. This was so powerful to me to read. We are in the same situation in the end times. Our Father has warned us of the judgement and destruction that is coming upon the earth. It is often very hard for me to think of the world that my children are growing up in, and if Jesus tarries, possibly one day my grandchildren will grow up in. However, the Father has already warned us. Why? Our Father’s heart is not to destroy. He always told and tells His prophets what is to come in order to send a warning in hopes that people will take heed and repent that they may be saved. This is two-fold as it also gives His remnant time to prepare, to hear Him and know what to do when it does happen. Our Father promises to take care of and protect His remnant, to one day bring us safely to be with Him. This doesn’t mean that we aren’t entirely unaffected by the things that happen around us though. This past year with Covid is a great example; we all know people who passed away and many have been affected in many areas of our lives whether it be wearing mask, social distancing, how our children attend school, financially, etc., and yet I watched as our Father also kept and provided for His remnant through all of it. It was a time for growth in believers as well. Habakkuk looked at what was coming and was able to yet rejoice because he knew who He belonged to, the love the Father has for His children, and His faithfulness to His remnant. He also knew that our Father is just in His judgement. Habakkuk knew this because of the time He spent communing with our Father.
Reading these verses this morning reminded me of the many things our Father has brought me through in my own life, but because of those trials He has been able to strengthen me more each time to be able to stand boldly on His word when trials come. However, it also reminded me of how very important it is that we remain in constant communion with our Father and in His Word. Our place isn’t to be caught up in the things we see going on around us. We should be aware, watching and praying about these things but not consumed by them. Our place is to be in the presence of our Father and hearing from Holy Spirit, so that we to will be able to stand in these end times and yet rejoice in our Father’s faithfulness, just as Habakkuk did.
