Habakkuk

[Anarion]

This is just something I came across this morning in my devosions....and my conclusions on them. I wanted to share it with ya'll.

Habakkuk 3: 17-19
17- Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor the fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive tree may not fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls- 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The Lord God is my strength; He will make me walk on my high hills.

Though the fig tree may not blossom: This line begins Habakkuk’s hymn. In your Bible you may find it entitled “A Hymn of Faith.” This is a perfect title. Habakkuk lists many of the common resources of the day: figs, grapes, olives, sheep, and cows. Not only were these resources sources of food, these are also sources of wealth. Imagine having one family per source, living in a village. One would grow figs, others olives etc. each family relies on the successful production of the other. Figs for food, Olives for food, oil, and light, etc. But each family must have a successful production of their own crop to be able to buy the goods of the others. But in these lines, all these resources fail to be successful. As such families cannot sell their resource, and therefore cannot buy.

You can easily see that with the failure of these things families and an entire city could be laid to ruin. They would look to the oncoming cold of winter with little hope. And in the midst of this comes Habakkuk’s last lines: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will Joy in the God of my salvation.” He first states that nevertheless, despite the hardships, he will hold onto hope, walk in faith, and rejoice in the Lord. I like the last part of 18, for in the way he words. “I will joy in the God of my salvation.” It sounds as if having joy is a struggle. Which it is, it is a mindset that takes strength to keep, strength that comes only from God. Notice the title of the hymn, it says “A Hymn of Faith.” Where does this word faith come from? Habakkuk mentions joy, but not faith.

This is the power of verse 18, a thing many Christians disregard. Joy is Faith. Having Joy in God is having Faith in God. Obviously it is easy to understand that to have hope in the oncoming of winter in this poor crop situation, takes faith in God. But more than that it takes Joy in God. Some Christians would expect the words obedience, that just because the crops shriveled this year I will continue to obey God. Perhaps they don’t quite understand the psalms when it says “Rejoice in the Lord always.”

The very act of having joy in God, is obeying Him. What throws people off is that having Joy in God is being happy, and when obeying people, they don’t imagine that act as joyful. When obeying we aren’t supposed to obey with a shuffling of feet, or do it with regret, no we are commanded to obey with joy.

So when Habakkuk says he will rejoice despite the hardships, he is having faith and obeying God, in Joy.

The last part of the hymn is a “reward” for having joy. It is also Habakkuk’s comfort. Having joy is a battle, just like having faith, it is a struggle, a race. Habakkuk has joy, knowing that the lord will be his strength in the battle to keep his joy, despite the temptation to despair. Habakkuk trusts in the Lord’s strength with his joy and for his joy. The last part of 19 is an analogy to sheep. Like a lost sheep who has entered a wasteland, Habakkuk knows that God will come and take him to a place abundant with food.

There is one last hidden analogy. The depression that is so easily ensnaring, can send people into a Valley where hardships constantly plague them. And yet again Habakkuk knows, with the Lord’s strength he will climb up from the valleys to stand on the crests of the tallest mountains.

[Nighthawk]

cool...nice thoughts.

Totally agree about the Joy thing...maybe send it to John Piper

[Anarion]

lol I don't think I'm THAT smart

[Nighthawk]

I think he'd like to hear it though

[Anarion]

now your making fun *pouts*

[Nighthawk]

Dude! I'm totally serious!

[Anarion]

humf....I think not.

[Nighthawk]

I'll tell him for you then

[Anarion]

go ahead...at least I won't be embarased then

[Nighthawk]

[Anarion]

*shakes head*

[Keeli]

Forum is being taken over.

[Anarion]

now it's back in MY control

[Keeli]

NOt anymore...

[Anarion]

tsk tsk

hush hush dear