November 15, 2011
Central Truth
Faith is choosing to live your life trusting that the Lord knows how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together.
Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the produce of the olive fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the LORD,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
(Habakkuk 3:17-18)
1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.
2
O LORD, I have heard the report of you,
and your work, O LORD, do I fear.
In the midst of the years revive it;
in the midst of the years make it known;
in wrath remember mercy.
3
God came from Teman,
and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah
His splendor covered the heavens,
and the earth was full of his praise.
4
His brightness was like the light;
rays flashed from his hand;
and there he veiled his power.
5
Before him went pestilence,
and plague followed at his heels.
1
3:5
Hebrew feet
6
He stood and measured the earth;
he looked and shook the nations;
then the eternal mountains were scattered;
the everlasting hills sank low.
His were the everlasting ways.
7
I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction;
the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.
8
Was your wrath against the rivers, O LORD?
Was your anger against the rivers,
or your indignation against the sea,
when you rode on your horses,
on your chariot of salvation?
9
You stripped the sheath from your bow,
calling for many arrows.
2
3:9
The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain
Selah
You split the earth with rivers.
10
The mountains saw you and writhed;
the raging waters swept on;
the deep gave forth its voice;
it lifted its hands on high.
11
The sun and moon stood still in their place
at the light of your arrows as they sped,
at the flash of your glittering spear.
12
You marched through the earth in fury;
you threshed the nations in anger.
13
You went out for the salvation of your people,
for the salvation of your anointed.
You crushed the head of the house of the wicked,
laying him bare from thigh to neck.
3
3:13
The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain
Selah
14
You pierced with his own arrows the heads of his warriors,
who came like a whirlwind to scatter me,
rejoicing as if to devour the poor in secret.
15
You trampled the sea with your horses,
the surging of mighty waters.
16
I hear, and my body trembles;
my lips quiver at the sound;
rottenness enters into my bones;
my legs tremble beneath me.
Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble
to come upon people who invade us.
17
Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19
God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer's;
he makes me tread on my high places.
To the choirmaster: with stringed
4
3:19
Hebrew my stringed
instruments.
I enjoy working on puzzles with my kids. While on vacation or over a long holiday weekend, I will lay out all the pieces of a puzzle and invite my kids to help. The more complicated the puzzle, the better.
One of the biggest frustrations is when we have nearly completed a puzzle and discover that a piece is missing. Sometimes in life, just as when we are trying to complete a puzzle, it feels as if we don't have all the "pieces." We experience a financial crisis, a friend disappoints us, or a loved one receives a bad diagnosis. During those times, it is tempting to question the Lord's power and goodness. When I cannot see the "bigger picture," I catch myself asking, "Can't He see what is going on? Why doesn't He do something about this?"
I believe faith is choosing to live your life trusting that the Lord knows how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together, regardless of our circumstances. In Habakkuk 3:17-18, Habakkuk acknowledges that he doesn't have all the "pieces." But, despite his circumstances, he chooses to trust in the Lord's goodness and provision. "Yet I will exult in the LORD,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord GOD is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds' feet, And makes me walk on my high places." (Habakkuk 3:18-19)
Maybe today you are wondering what the Lord is doing in your life or what good can possibly come from your circumstances. In June 2007, my son was diagnosed with leukemia. I was devastated. A friend then reminded me of this passage. Throughout my son's treatment, I prayed the Lord would grant me the faith of Habakkuk. I still have a long way to go in learning how to live by faith, but I'm more accepting of the fact that I may never have as many "pieces of the puzzle" as I would like. Regardless, I trust He sees the bigger picture and always has my best interest in mind.
Will you choose to trust Him today?
1. What "missing pieces of the puzzle" are you trusting the Lord with today?
2. Do you believe the Lord ultimately has your best interest in mind?
3. What steps do you need to take to grow more in your faith?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
HABAKKUK 2-ZEPHANIAH 3 (NOVEMBER 14-18)
Read Habakkuk 3:17-19.
What hard circumstances is Habakkuk describing in verse 17? Raising crops and livestock was how the people worked and made their living. Why would not having all of those things be so hard? What did Habakkuk say he would do in verse 18 even though things were hard? Is it hard to trust the Lord when things are not going well?
Read Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 46:1-3, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 145:13, & Hebrews 10:23.
Why can we trust God? What are hard things that could happen in your life that would be like having empty fields and no cattle? How can you remember to trust God even in those circumstances?
ACTIVITY: In verse 19, Habakkuk refers to having feet like a deer, what did they help him do? Who gave him the ability to navigate the hard circumstances? Now think about other animals and what they have that helps them in hard situations -- i.e., the bird's wings to escape danger, or the cheetah's quickness to catch what it needs for food. What would you like to have to help you in a hard circumstance you are facing? (Example: When friends say hurtful things about you, having feet to walk away from the circumstance or the right words to be bold to stand up.) Remember that every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord (James 1:17), so pray He will give you what you need to withstand hard things.