Remembering God’s Faithfulness in Unfruitful Times

Remembering God’s Faithfulness in
Unfruitful Times

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, ESV

How often have you wondered whether God is really faithful? Is He really in control? Can I
really trust Him?

Having doubts like this is not uncommon. When we are stuck in the rut, in times of hardship
or sorrow, and we can’t see a light at the end of the tunnel, we can wonder if God is really
there. This is where we find the writings of the prophet Habakkuk. Later this year we will
spend time exploring this book more in depth, but Habakkuk’s prayer at the end is really
something to behold.

A Bit of Background Info
While we do not have an exact date, one of the most likely dates is around the end of King
Josiah’s reign (640-609 B.C.). During Josiah’s reign, Judah had a significant, yet very short-lived,
time of revival during Josiah’s reign with the restoration of the temple and
restoration of the Feast of Passover, but returned quickly to its evil ways following his
death. Habakkuk’s message of judgment on Judah would not have been well accepted, for
the na􀆟on had been blinded by sin while false prophets were declaring that God would not
punish his chosen people. But God’s justice demands that wickedness be punished, whether
found in pagan nations or in his own people.1

What About Habakkuk?
God had foretold that Babylon would be brought up to punish Israel for their unfaithfulness.
Habakkuk asks the question “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or
cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?” (Hab 3:1). Habakkuk has been asking for God’s
rescue, and God has seemingly not answered. The words of this prophet would surely have
resonated with many of the righteous in Judah, who wondered what God was doing and
struggled with the same issues that Habakkuk struggled with.

Habakkuk’s Closing Prayer
Unusually, at least compared to the other prophetic books, this book is a dialogue between
the prophet and God Himself. Habakkuk brings his questions and his problems to God,
particularly regarding God’s seeming slowness in bringing justice. God answers thus:

And the LORD answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who
reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it
seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is
not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith. (Hab 2:2-4)

Rather than turning Habakkuk away or rebuking him for questioning His wisdom, God is
patient and gives an answer: be patient; justice WILL come. This is can be a frustrating
answer. We like to see things done immediately and done our way. However, the Bible
reminds us that God’s way is ALWAYS the best way. God ALWAYS delivers on His promises.
God ALWAYS works for His glory and the good of those who love Him. God is ALWAYS
faithful, even though we are not.

This is where we find Habakkuk at the end of the book. He is waiting on the Lord, with full
assurance that He keeps His promises, and not only that, but he rejoices in the Lord! Let us
pray, brothers and sisters, that we would be like Habakkuk in this way: “even though _____,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord…”

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with you all!

Lochy

1 ESV Study Bible, Introduction to Habakkuk