Choose Wisely
Even though I’m not sure I can pronounce it correctly, Habakkuk has always been a book that speaks to me. As I was recently studying its background, I was amazed at how applicable it still is to us today. Judah was in political turmoil, as was much of the surrounding world. Sound familiar? I can’t help but wonder if Habakkuk was experiencing personal turmoil as well. We all go through seasons like that. And when the world around us feels chaotic, it often makes our inner struggles feel even heavier.
I am in awe of how Habakkuk navigates that turmoil. He goes to God and asks questions. Then he waits for God’s answer. He waits, and he listens…not for what he wants to hear, but for what God says. There is so much power in the waiting and in the listening. After he hears God, he does what some of us may consider unthinkable. Habakkuk asks another question. And then again, he waits and listens. And guess what????? God answers, again. God doesn’t shame Habakkuk. He doesn’t get angry. He answers.
I’ll be honest, to me the answers would have been difficult answers to hear. But after Habakkuk hears God’s second reply, he prays. The ending of that prayer is especially powerful to me. Habakkuk ends his prayer with a hymn of faith. In case you don’t know it, God had told Habakkuk that “the just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4b). Often, we forget how prevalent the concept of faith is throughout the Old Testament. Only, it was much more than a concept, it was truly a way of life. I could go on, but that’s another devotion.
Habakkuk ends with a Hymn of Faith which resonates with me every single time I read it.
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 tread on the heights. – Habakkuk 3:17-19
The Amplified version adds clarification in verse 18.
Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation!
I’d ask you to pause with me and let that sink in. Everything is going wrong. Nothing, and I repeat NOTHING is going well. Yet Habakkuk chooses to rejoice. And it isn’t just a half-raised hand, fake it till you make it kind of rejoicing. It is stepping into the knowledge of who God is and letting that knowledge fill him with wonder. The kind of wonder that makes you shout, and spin around, and jump for joy. Even when the circumstances alone would never justify that response.
I am reminded of Jesus as He ended the last supper with His disciples, knowing He was going to be betrayed by one of His disciples, and that the others would desert him. Yet he led them in singing the Hallel (parts or all of Psalms 113-118) to conclude the Passover meal. Those are psalms that put the focus on God, praising Him. Jesus chose to do that. In an earthly sense, everything was getting ready to go wrong for Jesus. Yet He chose to trust God. He chose to praise God.
I don’t know what you’re going through today. But I do know Who is worthy of trust. I do know Who will walk with you through whatever it is. And He is worthy of praise, real praise. I would encourage you to spend some time in Habakkuk and in Psalms 113 – 118. Let these scriptures remind you of who God is. Let them soak into your being. Choose to step into His presence, with your focus on Him. Share your questions with Him. Then as you’re waiting and listening, remember - The just shall live by his faith. Not by the answers he receives, but by his faith. Ask God to increase your faith. And then follow the lead of Habakkuk. Choose to rejoice. We all have that choice. I pray that we all choose wisely today.
I am in awe of how Habakkuk navigates that turmoil. He goes to God and asks questions. Then he waits for God’s answer. He waits, and he listens…not for what he wants to hear, but for what God says. There is so much power in the waiting and in the listening. After he hears God, he does what some of us may consider unthinkable. Habakkuk asks another question. And then again, he waits and listens. And guess what????? God answers, again. God doesn’t shame Habakkuk. He doesn’t get angry. He answers.
I’ll be honest, to me the answers would have been difficult answers to hear. But after Habakkuk hears God’s second reply, he prays. The ending of that prayer is especially powerful to me. Habakkuk ends his prayer with a hymn of faith. In case you don’t know it, God had told Habakkuk that “the just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4b). Often, we forget how prevalent the concept of faith is throughout the Old Testament. Only, it was much more than a concept, it was truly a way of life. I could go on, but that’s another devotion.
Habakkuk ends with a Hymn of Faith which resonates with me every single time I read it.
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 tread on the heights. – Habakkuk 3:17-19
The Amplified version adds clarification in verse 18.
Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation!
I’d ask you to pause with me and let that sink in. Everything is going wrong. Nothing, and I repeat NOTHING is going well. Yet Habakkuk chooses to rejoice. And it isn’t just a half-raised hand, fake it till you make it kind of rejoicing. It is stepping into the knowledge of who God is and letting that knowledge fill him with wonder. The kind of wonder that makes you shout, and spin around, and jump for joy. Even when the circumstances alone would never justify that response.
I am reminded of Jesus as He ended the last supper with His disciples, knowing He was going to be betrayed by one of His disciples, and that the others would desert him. Yet he led them in singing the Hallel (parts or all of Psalms 113-118) to conclude the Passover meal. Those are psalms that put the focus on God, praising Him. Jesus chose to do that. In an earthly sense, everything was getting ready to go wrong for Jesus. Yet He chose to trust God. He chose to praise God.
I don’t know what you’re going through today. But I do know Who is worthy of trust. I do know Who will walk with you through whatever it is. And He is worthy of praise, real praise. I would encourage you to spend some time in Habakkuk and in Psalms 113 – 118. Let these scriptures remind you of who God is. Let them soak into your being. Choose to step into His presence, with your focus on Him. Share your questions with Him. Then as you’re waiting and listening, remember - The just shall live by his faith. Not by the answers he receives, but by his faith. Ask God to increase your faith. And then follow the lead of Habakkuk. Choose to rejoice. We all have that choice. I pray that we all choose wisely today.
We'd love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments what God is speaking to you as you read these devotionals. If you haven't already subscribed to receive our devotional emails right to your inbox, hit the subscribe button below and invite your family and friends to subscribe as well! Thank you for being a part of our Opendoor Devotional Community. We appreciate you!
No Comments