The Lodestar

Prophet Habakkuk lived in a time of hopelessness and anticipated further trouble. But as a prophet surrounded by darkness and looking into more darkness, he found the strength to live in the Lord.

When he asked the Lord why he was ignoring rampant sin in the nation of Judah, the Lord revealed his plan to punish them by the Babylonians. Habakkuk questioned the Lord about the plan to punish God's chosen people for their sins using an ungodly nation, but the Lord answered clearly that his plans would stand. Although the Babylonians will not prevail forever, the country of Judah will have to face the consequences of their punishment.

Habakkuk realised that he would have to go through times of distress. "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" (Hab 3:17).

The Babylonian invasion would have a long-term impact on people's lives, as the fig trees and vineyards in the land were destroyed. It will take many years to plant new trees to produce fruit. Not only agriculture but also livestock will be decimated.

The Lord assured Habakkuk that the faithful would survive this crisis by their faith: "The righteous shall live by his faith" (Hab 2:4). Encouraged by this promise, Habakkuk expressed his faith in the last three verses of this book that he would survive this crisis by the strength that the Lord provides.

When the Babylonians strike Judah, there will be death, destruction, and imprisonment. There will be nothing to rejoice in, but only pain and cries for help. Habakkuk had already prepared himself in faith that the Lord would be the reason for his joy: "I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation" (Hab 3:18).

Habakkuk also realised that suffering would help him to rise above the struggles to a higher level in life: "GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places" (Hab 3:19). This is not escapism, running away from the problem, but living above them at a higher spiritual level.

Hope is not always hoping for better days, but sometimes faith demands that we behold rays of hope at the present that gradually overcome the gloom. It may require considerable patience.

Faith grows strongest in the darkest moments. Like Habakkuk, hold on to hope even when the future seems bleak. Trust God’s strength to carry you through the challenges. Let his power lift you to new heights of faith today. Read more, be encouraged, and live your faith with bold confidence!

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