Sunday, October 2, 2011

When All Else Fails.....Rejoice!

Though the fig tree does not blossom 
Nor grapes on the vines; 
Though the olive crop fails 
And the fields yield no fruit, 
Though there are no flocks in the stalls, 
Yet will I rejoice in Yahweh 
And will be joyful in the God of my salvation. The Lord Yahweh is my strength; 
He makes my feet like the deer's"
He makes me [able] to tread on high places. 
For the Director of Music. On my [Habakkuk's] stringed instruments. ---Habakkuk 3:17-19 
Phoenix, arid landscape, Marie Byars photography

Habakkuk had been praying to Yahweh (God) throughout this book about various injustices. God's own people were cheating others. Then the Babylonians (Chaldeans) were to come to punish the Jews, but the Babylonians were a violent people. But each time, God gave Habakkuk an answer, and the prophet wrote this song in the end to praise God, whatever the circumstances surrounding him might be.