A STATEMENT OF FAITH

A Statement of Faith

17 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,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 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 3:17-19

What is the most difficult experience you have had to weather in your life? What event most wrenched you emotionally? For some that might be the death of a spouse, a child, or of a parent. For others of you, it might be an act of violence committed against you. Still for others, being ignored, rejected, or put down by someone you love could be hard to overcome. For some, the consequences of a sin you yourself committed might be your most difficult experience to weather. Now think back: What were your thoughts toward God at that difficult time in your life? Did you pray? If so, how? With tears? With anger? With a broken and contrite heart?
Look again at verse 17. Remember, the economy of Judah at this time was based almost exclusively on agriculture and livestock. The first three items, figs, grapes, and olives – were all permanent crops. The next item mentioned are the fields – that is, the annual crops, the staple foods, and the source for most of the calorie supply. So neither the permanent nor the annual crops had yielded anything. The final two items mentioned were flock and cattle – those were, sheep and cows. All their livestock were dead. So do you see what he is saying? “Even though I’ve lost everything; even though all my income disappears...” We might say these things, “when I lose my job and the unemployment insurance runs out..., when I can’t work and am denied my disability claim..., or even when the bills come in but no money comes in to the checking account.” Another way to think of this verse, which perhaps is easier for us to relate to is, “though it looks like all God’s gifts have been taken from me...” And so, how did Habakkuk respond to this situation? And furthermore, how do we respond to our situations?

YET, I WILL REJOICE!

Everything that Habakkuk knew in life was destroyed yet he still chose to rejoice in the Lord. He did not let his circumstances dictate his faith. Instead he let his faith dictate his response to his circumstances. Walking by faith is always more difficult than walking by sight. It wouldn’t be a walk of faith if everything made sense. Living by faith means loving God, instead of loving God’s gifts. Habakkuk sees all God’s gifts disappear. Now, the question is: Will he love God? Think of a parent who lavishes gifts on a child. The child says he loves his parent. But isn’t the child’s reaction to the ceasing of those gifts the real test of his love? How easy it is for us to act that way to God! We love His gifts, delight in His gifts – and then become angry if those gifts disappear. There is a great deal of difference between, “I love what you do for me” and “I love YOU.” Living by faith means loving GOD Himself! We indeed must be thankful for His gifts – but God is our delight, He is our portion, He is our treasure, and nothing we desire compares to HIM.

Rejoicing in all things!
Aaron Hodges