The Power of Yet

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

Habakkuk was living in some pretty difficult times.  Yet, he did not allow this to affect his mood.  He made a choice to praise God even if everything around him didn’t make sense.  He declared that he would praise God even if…

• the fig tree did not bud ~ figs were considered a delicacy in Israel
• there were no grapes on the vines ~ grapes provided the daily drink
• the olive crop failed ~ oil crop produced oil for cooking and lighting
• the fields produce no food ~ grain (barley & wheat) provided the staple diet of Palestine
• there are no sheep in the pen ~ provided wool and the occasional meat for the Israelite diet
• no cattle in the stalls ~ not normally eaten, but they were used to prepare the soil for planting and used for heavy work tasks

These were listed from least severe to most severe.  Now, the Israelites could survive if one of these happened, but if they all happened simultaneously this would be considered an economic disaster of great proportion.   This could mean loss of daily provision, loss of economic strength, and loss of the Lord’s blessing.  Habakkuk declared that he would praise God even if all of these things happened.  He made a choice to dwell on the goodness of God.  How about you?  If everything normal and predictable in your life collapsed, would you still choose to praise God?

Let us remember who God is through every storm.  May we not be distracted by the loss we experience in life.  But may we fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.  May we see that through the most difficult times, God is still on the throne.  He’s not stepping away!  He sees what you are going through right now and He’s there in the midst of it.

“Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  ~2 Corinthians 4:16-18

May we find power in the yet!  The word that declares that though everything around me may fail, yet will I trust in my Savior.

“Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”  ~Psalm 42:11

Dear Father God, I rejoice in the word “yet”.  I rejoice that though life get a little crazy at times, You never leave Your throne.  You are there always protecting me, always guiding me, and always loving me.  I rejoice that You never let go!  You never let the storm overtake me.  You are there even when I can’t see You.  You are there beckoning me onward with Your sweet love and tremendous mercy.  Lord, I will rejoice in You.  I will rejoice in Your promises, Your Truth, and Your great faithfulness!

Rejoicing in the Power of “yet”,

“…yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

~Habakkuk 3:18