v 17. Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
It is pretty easy to trust God when everything is going fine; plenty in the bank balance, good food on the table, comfortable home, helpful and supportive friends, etc. etc.
Trust during the hard times is a different matter.
I suspect Habakkuk learned the lesson because here at the end of his writing he is able to declare his trust in God. Even when life seemed to go pear-shaped and prayer seemed to have no immediate answer, he came to the point of being able to declare his confidence in God and to do so joyfully.
Are you going through some tough times at the moment?
It doesn’t mean God is not interested in your predicament.
Take heart from Habakkuk’s attempt to reason it all out and simply rest in the same quiet confidence that he eventually enjoyed.
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