S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Despite the questions the prophet Habakkuk had concerning the evil taking place during his time, he concludes his oracle with positive words of praise. Habakkuk expresses his faith in God in a hymn: "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, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 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).

How can we learn to trust God in this way? A closer look at these verses reveals some concepts that help us to trust God more.

First, Habakkuk commits to praising God regardless of external circumstances. The opening of his hymn delineates a catastrophe: 1) no fruit on the fig trees, 2) no grapes growing on the vines, 3) no olives, 4) no produce of any kind, 5) a lack of sheep, and 6) a lack of cattle. After this doleful description, the prophet says, "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord."

Habakkuk's joy was not dependent on physical blessings. Even if Habakkuk suffered extreme loss, he was determined to praise God. Habakkuk remembered God's goodness in times past and concluded God was worthy of praise. The prophet might lack olives and grapes, but he would never be without God.

Second, Habakkuk praises God specifically for salvation: "I will take joy in the God of my salvation." God not only could save; God is salvation. Interestingly, the title "God of my salvation" is used seven times in the Old Testament. Five of these are found in the Psalms (18:26; 25:5; 27:9; 51:14; 88:1), one in Habakkuk, and the other in Micah 7:7.

Third, Habakkuk recognizes the Lord as His strength: "GOD, the Lord, is my strength." This statement is the central focus of Habakkuk's hymn. The theme becomes apparent when the literary structure is diagrammed as follows:

A1 "I will . . ."
A2 "I will . . ."
X "GOD, the Lord, is my strength"
B1 "he makes . . ."
B2 "he makes . . ."

After two statements of the prophet's determination come two mentions of what God will accomplish on his behalf. In between, we find "God, the Lord, is my strength."

The truth of God's present strength caused Habakkuk to trust God even during the most difficult times. Like Habakkuk, we can choose to praise God even in the face of desolation. Like Habakkuk, we can praise God for the salvation He provides in Jesus Christ. And, by seeing God as our source of strength, we, like Habakkuk, can trust God's promises.

See http://www.gotquestions.org/Habakkuk-trust-God.html

July 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Even if our economy would fall apart like theirs is predicted to do (Habakkuk 3:17), we should trust God.

-- "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,"), there wouldn't be much to sing about, and where would God be? Still on His throne, working out His perfect plan for His people (Romans 8:28)! 

Though Habakkuk could not rejoice in his circumstances, he still could "rejoice in the LORD!" (Hab. 3:18 -- "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.")

[Hab 3:17] hymn -- "Though The Fig Tree Shall Not Blossom":

"Though the fig tree shall not blossom,
Neither fruit be in the vine:
Though in vain the olive labors,
And the fruitful fields decline:

Refrain

I will rejoice in the Lord, my Redeemer,
Joyful I’ll trust Him, for He will provide,
Giving me all that I need for my journey;
I will not fear, for He walks by my side.

Though no flocks are in the sheepfold,
Neither cattle in the stalls:
Though the earth is filled with famine,
And no rain from Heaven falls:

Refrain
I will rejoice in the Lord, my Redeemer,
Joyful I’ll trust Him, for He will provide,
Giving me all that I need for my journey;
I will not fear, for He walks by my side."

Author: Ernest Lee Thompson (1905)

November 10 2019 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

How can we learn to trust God like the prophet Habakkuk?

Follow the following 3 points:

1: Acknowledge that trust is not always easy, and it's okay to wrestle with difficult questions, as Habakkuk did.

2: When things are confusing or seem unjust, approach God with honesty and sincerity.

3: Understand that God responded to Habakkuk's questions, and He will respond to you as well. 

Plus, to learn to trust God like the prophet Habakkuk, we must honestly voice our doubts to God in prayer, wait patiently for His response and perfect timing, and ultimately choose to rejoice in God's unchanging character and sovereignty, regardless of our circumstances.

We must seek strength in God alone: Habakkuk realised that God was his strength, enabling him to "tread on his high places" despite the impending distress. 

Significantly, we can lean on God's strength to navigate life's challenges, rather than relying solely on our own understanding or power. 

Just like Habakkuk, who expressed his understandable concerns, asking (Chapter 1: 2-3 Habakuk, Rotherham Bible), "How long, O Yahweh, have I called out And thou wouldst not hear me? Have I kept crying unto thee of violence and thou wouldst not save? 3 Wherefore shouldst thou let me see iniquity and wrong shouldst let me behold, and force and violence be straight before me, and there should have ever been someone who contention and strife would uphold?"

Habakuk wrote in vibrant and dramatic style, offering the comforting thought that "Lo! as for the conceited one, crooked is his soul within him, but one who is righteous by his faithfulness shall live." (Habakkuk 2:4) Rotherham Bible. 

Those words must be essential for us, since the apostle Paul quoted them in three books of the Christian Greek Scriptures. (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38) Also, through Habakkuk, God offers us the assurance: "For yet is the vision for an appointed time, still it presseth towards an end, and will not deceive. If it tarry wait thou for it, for it surely cometh, will not be too late."​—Habakkuk 2:3. Rotherham Bible.

Conclusion:

As we face increasing wickedness in the world around us, we may feel as Habakkuk did. Instead of becoming paralysed by self-pity, Habakkuk remained spiritually alert and active. (Hab. 2:1) 

God assured the prophet that His word would be fulfilled right on time and that, "But one who is righteous by his faithfulness shall live." (Hab. 2:2-4 Rotherham Bible) What does that mean for Christians living deep in the time of the end? More important than knowing when the end will come is being convinced it will come. Faith moves us to remain watchful and give priority to the ministry.​—Heb. 10:38, 39.

Conflict brings hardship, even to the eventual victors. Food may be scarce, property may be lost, and living standards may drop. How will we react when difficulties arise? Habakkuk expected hardships, so he resolved to maintain his joy in serving Jehovah. (Hab. 3:16-19) "Yet I in Yahweh will rejoice, I will exult in the God of my salvation. 19 Yahweh, my Lord is my strength, therefore hath he made my feet like hinds and upon my high places will he cause me to march along. To the chief musician on my double harp. Will also help us to endure future trials." Rotherham Bible.

Read these Bible examples: Neh. 8:10; Heb. 12:2.

November 10 2025 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report