Yet I will rejoice in the LORD

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
(Hab 3:17-19)

In some Bible’s this portion of Habakkuk’s writing is sub-titled as a ‘Hymn of Faith’ and it was written as a song indicated in the last sentence. When a man or a woman go through trying moments of life, what better way to express oneself than in a song. That could explain why there are many songs sung through out the ages that were birthed out of a searing pain of loss.

A sister emailed me of a pastor’s family who recently went through the tragedy of loss. There was loss of the family home from devastating fire and most painful of all the loss of the youngest child among five. While the rest of the children suffering from severe burns. Where is God in painful circumstances of our lives?

The prophet reminds us that even if we are emptied and poor there is that inner joy of the Lord that can be our strength. The quiet joy comes from a relationship with the God of our salvation. This means that we won’t be able to harness the strength of this joy without first experiencing true salvation.

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
(1Sam 30:6)

David and his men suffered much loss after the Amalekites took everything away with them. All were grieved for their loss but only David, the man after God’s own heart could prevail to strengthened himself. Not fearing death by stoning because he feared God. Encouraged himself because he had a history of relationship with his God of his salvation, evident from many of the beautiful Psalms he penned.

Upon realizing the strength of the Lord there is the swiftness (hinds’ feet) of restoration (walking upon mine high places). The word ‘mine’ surely speaks of our inheritance from our Heavenly Father. For the pastor’s family, the son can not be restored, but our Father knows best how to provide from the sufficiency of His grace (2 Cor 12:9).

May the pastor, his family and those who go through the searing pain of loss sing the song of Habakkuk… the hymn of faith that God is in control and will see them through their suffering.