As my regular blog readers know, I read through the Bible from Genesis through Revelation in odd numbered years. Today, I reached the book of Habakkuk. This book contains several Scriptures that are particularly meaningful to me.
Habakkuk 2:2 speaks to me about my writing. God has called me to share the truth I’ve discovered in His word, to write clearly so that people can read about God’s answers and tell others.
Then the LORD said to me, “Write my answer in large, clear letters on
a tablet, so that a runner can read it and tell everyone else.”
Habakkuk 2:3 encourages me to persevere, even when life gets harder than I think I can bear. God’s word is true, and I can trust Him to complete the work in the proper time.
“But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.”
Habakkuk 3:17-19 has been marked in my Bibles (along with Daniel 3:17-18, Job 13:15, and Deuteronomy 10:21) since 1976, the year I became a Christian. Life hasn’t turned out for me the way I envisioned it would. Does it for anyone? Marriage, children, career — life has taken turns and detours that I never anticipated. But even in the hard times, even in the disappointments, no matter what, I will praise the Lord!
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; 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. The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.
Twila Paris said: “A big part of Christian maturity is learning to let God keep you steady and to be ruled less and less by your emotions and circumstances.”
The longer I live, the more I understand that I cannot find my contentment and joy in the circumstances of life. Because too often in this world, the fig tree won’t have blossoms, the vines won’t have grapes, the olive crops will fail, and the fields will lie bare. My contentment and joy can only be found in my relationship with the God of my salvation. When I rejoice in Him, I become as surefooted as a deer on this craggy mountain that makes up my earthly life.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
In the grip of His grace,
Robin
