"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." - Habakkuk 3:17-19
Overview
In verse 17 we see the prophet Habakkuk looking at different events that could take place. And back in the original historical period of Habakkuk's time, these things were catastrophic. This would have left Habakkuk without food, no currency or value (flocks and herds being taken away), and ultimately suffering. However, Habakkuk's hope isn't in the things he owns, but in God. Even if all those things were to be taken from him he still had reason to rejoice because God had gifted him with something far more valuable than material items. He had been gifted with salvation. And he also testifies that God is his strength. God is the One who brings forth good in his life.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I come before you in this moment to remember your graciousness towards me in this life. I have many things on this Earth. Possessions, relationships, joy, laughter, and the necessities of life. I don't have to struggle to find food everyday, or to make ends meet. And that is all because Your gracious hand has provided me with many things in this life. However, were all those things to be lost tomorrow. If I were to be without shelter or food, love and joy, I would still have everything I would ever need. Father, you are the God of my salvation. It is through Christ by the Spirit that I am able to cry out "Abba, Father." I rejoice in the fact that you have worked everything out before the beginning of time to bring me to you. I thank you for giving me strength to handle the brokenness that is throughout all this world. It is You alone, God, who provide me with every good and perfect gift I have ever and will ever receive. Help me to cling to you far tighter than I cling to my worldly possessions. Help me to value you above my possessions. Help me to view my relationship with you as far greater than my relationships on this Earth. Give me the peace that comes with knowing and loving a God who deeply cares for me, and help me to spread that peace and love to my wife, my friends, and those in my community. Thank you Father, I pray this in Jesus name by the power of the Spirit.
Amen.