Find Your "Yet"

Finding Hope in Hard Times: Lessons from Habakkuk

Life isn't always easy. In fact, sometimes it feels like everything is falling apart around us. We look at the world and see injustice, violence, and wickedness seemingly triumphing over good. In these moments, it's natural to cry out, "God, are you listening? Do you see what's happening?"

These feelings aren't new. Thousands of years ago, a prophet named Habakkuk felt the same way. His story, captured in the Old Testament book bearing his name, offers profound insights for those of us struggling through difficult times.

Habakkuk lived in a period when his nation, Judah, was plagued by internal corruption and violence. He cried out to God, asking, "How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, 'Violence!' but you do not save?" (Habakkuk 1:2)

It's okay to complain to God. In fact, many biblical figures did just that. But here's the key: we need to bring our complaints to Him, not just stew in our own misery. God wants us to talk to Him about our situations, even when they're painful or confusing.

God's response to Habakkuk is surprising and, frankly, not what the prophet wanted to hear. God says He's going to do something so amazing that Habakkuk wouldn't believe it if he were told. Sounds great, right? But then God reveals His plan: He's going to raise up the Babylonians, a ruthless and violent people, to bring judgment on Judah.

This wasn't the answer Habakkuk was looking for. He struggles to understand how a holy God could use wicked people to punish those who, while far from perfect, seemed more righteous in comparison.

Here's a hard truth: Sometimes things get worse before they get better. God's ways are not our ways, and His timeline is not our timeline. What looks like defeat or punishment might actually be part of a larger plan for redemption and restoration.

In the face of this difficult news, Habakkuk makes a crucial decision. He says, "I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint." (Habakkuk 2:1)

In other words, Habakkuk chooses to stay faithful, to keep doing what God has called him to do, even when he doesn't understand or like what's happening. He waits for God's further instruction and explanation.

God's response is both challenging and comforting. He tells Habakkuk that the vision has an appointed time, that it will certainly come to pass, even if it seems to delay. Then He delivers this powerful statement: "The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him." (Habakkuk 2:20)

This is a reminder that God is still in control, even when the world seems chaotic. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is be quiet and trust Him. Our words can often be our biggest obstacle to faith, especially when we're going through tough times. Instead of constantly voicing our doubts and fears, we need to proclaim God's promises and truth.

Habakkuk's response to all of this is beautiful and instructive. In chapter 3, he offers a prayer that's part lament, part praise, and ultimately a declaration of trust in God. He recounts God's mighty deeds of the past and asks Him to "repeat them in our day."

Then comes one of the most powerful passages in the entire Bible:

"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)

This is the essence of faith in hard times. Even when everything seems to be falling apart, when there's no visible evidence of God's blessing or provision, we can choose to rejoice in Him. Our circumstances don't dictate our joy; our relationship with God does.

Habakkuk concludes with a powerful image: "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 3:19) This speaks to the supernatural ability God gives us to navigate difficult terrain, to find stability and even thrive in challenging circumstances.

What can we learn from Habakkuk's journey?

1. It's okay to bring our complaints and questions to God. He can handle our honesty.

2. God's answers might not always be what we expect or want, but we can trust that He sees the bigger picture.

3. Sometimes things get worse before they get better. This doesn't mean God has abandoned us.

4. In difficult times, we need to stay faithful to what God has called us to do.

5. There's power in choosing to praise God even when our circumstances are bleak.

6. God can give us strength and stability to navigate even the most challenging situations.

Life isn't always easy, and faith doesn't guarantee a smooth ride. But like Habakkuk, we can learn to trust God even when we don't understand His methods. We can choose to rejoice in Him, not because of our circumstances, but despite them.

Remember, the same fire that brings revival and renewal also burns away the things in our lives that don't belong. The process can be painful, but the result is worth it. As we go through our own struggles, let's hold onto our "yet" - yet we will rejoice, yet we will trust, yet we will praise.

No matter what you're facing today, know that God sees you, He hears you, and He is working - even if you can't see it yet. Keep your hand in His, and let Him guide you through. It might get worse before it gets better, but it will get better. And when it does, you'll be equipped to help others navigate similar challenges.

In the meantime, find your "yet." Choose to rejoice. Trust in the God who is still on the throne, no matter how chaotic the world seems. And watch as He enables you to "tread on the heights," finding strength and stability in the most unexpected places.