“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  

 I have a big problem of focusing on what God isn’t doing in my life, rather than what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do. I lack contentment. Recently pastor Jen gave me some verses to reflect on, and this one from Habakkuk hit me hard. Habakkuk is praying in response to God’s answer to his initial frustrations. Habakkuk approached God with frustration and concern- concern that evil was running unchecked, and God was not appropriately moving.   

God’s response to Habakkuk’s concern is that though the sinfulness of the world feels like it is conquering the righteous, there will be a day of reckoning. He also warns that it may feel like it is taking too long but reminds Habakkuk that His promises are always on time. God tells Habakkuk that the righteous will live by their faith placed in this promise. My bible commentary shows a timeline explaining that the Babylonians (or some texts say Chaldeans) attacked Judah and in that same year Habakkuk wrote this book. It also shows that about 20 years later, the Babylonians conquered Judah.   

So why does Habakkuk praise the Lord in a dry and barren land if Judah was still going to be conquered? Did he place his hope in a God who forgot his people? No. Because God is faithful to fulfill every promise He makes to His people. God in His might will conquer this evil and darkness and deliver His people one day, just as He promised. Habakkuk does not get to see this prophecy fulfilled earthside. Instead, he gets to see it fulfilled in God’s timing- eternal timing.   

While my home is not physically under siege or at risk of being taken by enemies, there is a spiritual battle occurring in each of our lives. My spiritual battle, as I am confident yours has been at some point, is the enemy stealing my joy in the dry and barren land. In my personal battle, recently, it feels like darkness is winning. It seems as though God has forgotten me and, in my selfishness, I have forgotten His historic goodness in my life. What if I brought my frustrations to Him, like Habakkuk does, and was quiet enough to hear His response? I am confident that while His response or timing may not be exactly what I want, it will be exactly what I need. What if, once I hear that still small voice, I allow it to comfort me, and I praise Him in a dry and barren land, just like Habakkuk?   

That praise steals the power from darkness over my life and gives it right back to God. A response like that makes Satan angry. A response like that shows crazy faith that doesn’t make sense in the eyes of the world. In the book of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego show this kind of crazy faith. They claim that God can deliver them if they are thrown into the furnace but show bold faith claiming that if God does not deliver them, they will still not bow down to any idol. What if we fought our spiritual battles from a place of confidence like that? “I know God can give me what I want to get through this season, but even if He does not, I will never bow to darkness.” While that is a scary prayer to pray, I believe there is no better way to approach our spiritual battles. I am comforted knowing that the God we serve is all-powerful and can do mighty things. I am even more comforted knowing that He is all-knowing, knowing exactly what we need, exactly when we need it. This may not be the answer you wanted to hear regarding your spiritual battle but I do hope it gives you fuel to become content in God’s goodness and power. I want to end with a word from the Psalms that has been providing me with peace during this season.   

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all they days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”   Psalm 23