Habakkuk 3:17-19 (Confidence)

HOW TO FIND REST FOR A WEARY SOUL (Part 2/4)

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places” (Habakkuk 3:17–19).

In today’s world, it is difficult NOT to be disappointed by someone or something.

We live in a fallen world. Therefore, at some point our hopes and dreams, assumptions and expectations are bound to come crashing down when life does not turn out the way we think it should.

That is why Habakkuk 3:17-19 is such a breath of fresh air because it does not paint a rosy picture of how life truly is. It acknowledges difficulty and disappointment in the circumstances we face, yet lifts our eyes from the valley of despair and affirms our faith and trust in the only one who can turn beauty to ashes and resurrect our weary souls: God.

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified” (Isaiah 61:1–3).

As followers of Jesus Christ, we’re not expected to wear a mask publicly and act as if everything is okay in our lives when clearly it’s not. That type of behavior only perpetuates a lack of authenticity and hypocrisy in the church which fails to benefit anyone.

Instead, we are called to be transparent and real with others, sharing our struggles and exposing our vulnerability, so that our testimony of God’s grace and mercy has legitimacy when we speak of how faithful He has been DESPITE our trials and disappointments.

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PERSPECTIVE:

What is a mountain without a valley? Think about it. The reason we can confidently stand upon a mountaintop is due to the valley below which provides a frame of reference regarding how far we climbed to reach our summit.

Without the valley, there is no wonder, awe, and majesty of the mountain because they are dependent on each other. Therefore, to appreciate the beauty of the horizon from the summit’s ledge, we must also praise God for the deep valleys (i.e. trials) which give it proper context and perspective.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2–4).

What James teaches is as illogical and uncommon as any absolute truth found in the Bible. However, celebrating trials only makes the mountaintop view that much sweeter when we see how far God has brought us. It helps us appreciate the difficult and time-consuming journey it took to get there.

Oftentimes, we bristle at the mere thought of trials. We don’t want to struggle in life or endure pain or hardship if we can help it. However, life just doesn’t work that way and we are bound to encounter trials which test our faith and expose what we’re truly made of spiritually.

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6–7).

The key is remembering that our character and countenance are purified through trials. Therefore, we should be less concerned with finding an escape route from our difficulties and instead, appreciate the perspective trials provide for drawing us closer to the Lord in prayer.

“To know Christ in the storm of battle, to know Him in the valley of shadow, to know Him when the solar light radiates our faces or when they are darkened with disappointment and sorrow, to know the sweetness of His dealing with bruised reeds and smoking flax, to know the tenderness of His sympathy and the strength of His right hand, all this involves many varieties of experience on our part. But each of them like the facets of a diamond will reflect the prismatic beauty of His glory from a new angle.”

— F.B. Meyer

STORMS:

Let’s face it, though. When it rains, it pours, and far too many of us are soaked to the bone with countless setbacks which make us doubt whether God really cares about us or even hears our cries for help.

Undoubtedly, it is difficult to remain steadfast in our faith, hope, and trust in God when no relief comes from our anguish. At times, silence from the Lord can cause us to turn our backs on His Word, doubt the power of prayer, or reject the body of Christ altogether when we’re drowning in sorrow, fatigue, and depression.

“Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1).

However, as illogical as it seems, the greatest position we can find ourselves during trials is directly in the eye of the storm. The key is distinguishing the storms which surround us from the storms which rage within us and seek to undermine our trust in God’s sovereignty.

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The storms which surround are the circumstantial details of the trials themselves (i.e. medical conditions, natural disasters, relational turmoil, financial difficulties, etc.). In many cases, these details are out of our control, therefore we have to accept them for what they are.

However, storms within us are completely different (i.e. frustration, anger, misunderstanding, anxiety, fear, doubt, worry, etc.). They are emotionally driven and within our ability to exude self-control. The question is do we want to reconcile our internal storms or remain consumed by the storms outside of our control instead?

“I also know that there is only one place where that angry, reactive, overwhelmed self can be transformed – the same place that Mary chose – the feet of Jesus… When I get into His presence, the whole world looks different. When I draw close to His heart, I find mercy when I know I deserve judgment; I find forgiveness for all my petty, selfish ways; I find grace for all my inadequacies; I find peace for my troubled heart; I find perspective for my distorted views. In Him, I find an eye in the midst of the storm. Oh, the storm around me may not immediately subside; but the storm within me is made calm.”

— Nancy Leigh DeMoss

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FAITH & TRUST:

Habakkuk 3:17-19 gives multiple scenarios to help us identify with the seasons of life we all experience which inevitably test our faith. It is a powerful glimpse into the heart and mind of a Godly man who struggled to reconcile trials which could have derailed his faith.

Habakkuk witnessed the blessing of God that was missing and lamented the bountiful harvest which did not come to fruition. Yet even amid the challenges which overwhelmed his attention, he chose joy over sorrow and contentment over complaining by not allowing the trials he faced to steal his joy.

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God” (Psalm 43:5).

What a declaration of faith, hope, and trust in the sovereignty of God by choosing praise and thanksgiving in spite of difficult circumstances! Habakkuk’s example is a testament to us of “mind over matter” and not allowing the enemy to plant seeds of doubt in God’s sovereign provision.

Undoubtedly, there will come a time when we’ll fail to see the fruits of our labor and doubt whether the efforts we’re making in our faith journey are worth it. It is in those moments when our faith grows exponentially because we’re called to trust God’s plan when we cannot see what’s on the other side of the horizon.

However, we are not ill-equipped to handle what lies ahead. For just as Habakkuk declares, our peace in the eye of the storm is knowing our salvation belongs to the Lord and that He will not abandon His children. Rather, He will make our feet like that of a deer so we can tread in high places and reach the mountaintop where understanding and perspective are found.

BOTTOM-LINE:

Confidence in the Lord God is not a hopeless crutch we hold onto to brainwash ourselves into thinking everything’s fine when clearly it’s not. True confidence is knowing the Lord is still in control and always has our best interest at heart despite our circumstances.

For we are not slaves to our flesh, but born-again in the Spirit by grace through faith in Jesus. Therefore, the same power which raised Christ from the dead dwells in the heart of every man, woman, and child who professes the name of Jesus as their only salvation.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” (Romans 8:35).
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37–39).

That doesn’t mean we do not struggle understanding the “WHY?” behind the trials we face. Undoubtedly, we do! However, we have peace of mind knowing that God always has a specific plan and purpose in mind for the struggles which test us because He loves us.

It may not seem like it in the moment, but we know that seasons of life come and go bringing death and rebirth to teach us more than we could ever ask for or imagine. We simply must live by faith and trust that God is sovereign at all times.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11–13).