Rejoice signThe Old Testament book of Habakkuk is an interesting book. I have read it multiple times over the years, and I seem to glean something new each time.

This prophet of the Lord is not very happy with God. First, Habakkuk felt God wasn’t hearing his cry for help in the midst of evil days. Then, he feels God is extremely unfair to let the Chaldeans, those evil people, be God’s tool for punishment. Habakkuk isn’t happy with God at all.

From the second chapter, I have often pointed out that the Lord directed the use of media to get his message out to the people. He said “record” His message, God’s vision, on clay tablets, making the message plain and easily understood. The Lord directed Habakkuk to put the tablets in the marketplace. Not in the synagogue, but out in the public place, so that those who hurried by could easily understand what the Lord was saying to them.

There is some great application there for us in media. That will be for another day.

Judy and I were reading the concluding verses in our evening Bible reading the other night. It is that beautiful prayer of Habakkuk. After being upset at the Lord, and after hearing what was coming for the people of Israel, this closing song of praise is amazing.

[blockquote author=”Habakkuk 3:17-18 NLT” link=”” target=”_blank”]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![/blockquote]

Habakkuk was not happy with the situation around him. And he was even less happy when he heard how God was going to bring justice. These closing words of the prophet’s prayer show us the depth of His love for His Lord.

Habakkuk is basically saying that if everything around him falls apart, if the economy is destroyed by the enemy, if the corruption of the people leads to utter destruction of all that sustains him, he will still rejoice in his Lord.

We live in an evil world. You who are serving in countries beyond the U. S. are experiencing corruption, protests, riots, wars, and persecution. And we have our own battles and injustice in America. You may have prayed for your country, and don’t see the answer you hoped for. What do you do?

Chuck Swindoll’s ministry, Insight for Living, expressed the lesson of Habakkuk this way.

[blockquote author=”” link=”” target=”_blank”]…the book of Habakkuk reminds us that no place is too dark and no wall too thick for God’s grace to penetrate in a powerful and life-affirming way.[/blockquote]

How dark is it where you are today? How bleak does the future look? Does it seem God is inactive in your world…your life? Show the depth of your faith by praying and singing along with Habakkuk. Eugene Peterson, in The Message, paraphrases the passage this way:

[blockquote author=”Habakkuk 3:17-19 MSG” link=”” target=”_blank”]Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen, Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty, I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Counting on God’s Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I’m king of the mountain![/blockquote]

Rejoice… anyway!