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. Habakkuk 3:17-18

 

When the sky turns dark, your health fails, your marriage partner walks out on you, or you are fired from the job you hoped you would keep until retirement, your world gradually unravels. Paul’s words, “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus,” seem to torment you. No matter how you try to put things together, it just doesn’t make sense.

 

Frankly, you are not the first to feel as you do. The Bible tells us of a man who faced the same distress as that which confronts you. His name is Habakkuk. He lived about 600 years before Christ, when the world was in possibly the greatest turmoil of pre-Christian times. World powers were hanging by threads. There appeared to be no hope for Habakkuk’s nation of Israel. Doom seemed imminent. Habakkuk looked at his nation and saw corruption, confusion and bewilderment. “Why does God not intervene?” he asked. “Why does there seem to be lack of justice in God’s management of the world? Why is God silent in times of disaster? Why doesn’t He hear me and help me?”

 

Habakkuk did find an answer. The answer was looking beyond his trouble, realizing that no matter what happened God would still be on the throne of the universe. He is from everlasting to everlasting. Said the psalmist: “In ages past you laid the foundations of the earth and made the heavens with your hands! They shall perish, but you go on forever. They will grow old like worn-out clothing, and you will change them like a man putting on a new shirt and throwing away the old one! But you yourself never grow old. You are forever, and your years never end. But our families will continue; generation after generation will be preserved by your protection” (Psalm 102:25-28 Living Bible).

 

Habakkuk had questions in his mind. But he did the right thing about these questions; he brought them to God. God not only answered his questions, but also put a song in his heart. When Habakkuk looked at the circumstances around about him, he was perplexed; but when he turned to God, he found joy.

 

The key to knowing God in a personal way lies in knowing His Son, who said, “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” Altogether too often we forget that Jesus was not greeted with great acclaim, but was rejected and despised and eventually crucified at the hands of Roman soldiers.

 

Yes, His world unraveled, but it was so that our torn and perplexing world can eventually come together. Because Christ triumphed over death, you too can triumph over your circumstances and even thank God that through it all, He is more than able to meet you and give you deliverance.

 

Habakkuk went beyond his doubt, his struggle, his uncertainty, and when he did, frankly, his problems didn’t matter. Take time to read Habakkuk 3 and understand that there is peace and tranquility when your world unravels, when things don’t go right, and when you have become a victim of wrongdoing. When you see God as did Habakkuk, that’s enough. Behind the darkest cloud is the sunshine.

 

A little girl was once a passenger on the ship of which her father was captain. On the voyage, a raging storm developed. The captain ordered all on board to put on life jackets. The steward woke the little girl in her cabin and told her of the order. She asked, “Who is at the helm of the ship?” “Your father,” he replied. “Well, then, if Daddy is at the helm, everything will be all right.” This is the faith that you need in times like these. Our heavenly Father is at the helm of planet earth, and certainly our lives.

 

Resource reading: Habakkuk 3:1-19