Habakkuk 3:18 (NIV): “yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
I live on a small farm of 51 acres. We have a young farmer who bails the brome grass from about 30 acres into very large round bales. It should be happening soon. It is really fun to watch and observe. Farming is a big part of Kansas. Historically many different ethnic groups moved to Kansas because of the rich soil and successfully transformed the land into productive farm land.
Of course there was also the Dust Bowl. Unwise agricultural practices coupled with the 1930 drought led to devastation. Even during the short years that I have lived on this property I have seen how dry periods can lead to large cracks in the soil. The land yearns for water.
In the verse prior to the above verse Habakkuk describes the economic ruin when farms struggle. He talks about fig trees not budding, grapes not being on the vine, olive crops failing, and fields not producing food. Truly, the devastation impacted all of life. Still, Habakkuk was able to say “Yet!” And the “Yet” is amazing. In spite of dire circumstances, he was able to rejoice in the Lord. He was joyful in God his Savior.
Somehow, Habakkuk saw beyond the temporary and chose to have faith in his eternal God. Today, we have economic challenges. We recently had the highest unemployment rate since the Great Depression. Many people are struggling. People have different responses to the same challenges. Some people are just angry. Somehow, some people embrace the attitude of a man who lived 2,600 years ago. May I be counted in the number who join Habakkuk with joy in the Lord regardless of my circumstances!
Prayer: Dear God. No matter what my circumstances are, my hope is in You. May my life, my words, and my thoughts all confess my trust in You alone. I rejoice in You. I am joyful because you are my God and my Savior.