Though the Fig Tree Does Not Bud

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 go on the heights.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

So wrote Habakkuk at the conclusion of his book. And he did not come to this conclusion easily. Struggling to the core of his being with the devastation of his homeland and the plight of his people, he grappled with God’s sovereignty and His goodness. In the light of unspeakable evil, they could not both be true.. Could they?

The key words, here,  are Though and Yet.  I call it the nonetheless clause. There is something magnificent and defiant about it. In many ways, my choice to rejoice in the LORD, in the face of circumstances is indeed a defiant act. I write this out of my own deep experience.

Each and every one of the major characters in the biblical Story had to confront disappointment. Each of them were brought to a point where they had to choose to honor God in the face of great difficulty.  It is integral to the narrative arc of their lives. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Elijah… the list goes on….Peter and Paul and most notably, our Lord, Himself.

However we work out the equation, God’s worthiness and His goodness can never be variables if we want a clear picture of reality.

Most of us will come to a point in our lives where we need to discover that for ourselves. We will have it tested and proved. In the face of deep pain, loss, grief, devastation, disorientation or profound disappointment we are faced with a choice. Will we worship Him? Will we continue to rejoice in Him?

I don’t know what is going on in your life. God knows. And it just might be that He is bringing you to the point where , along with Habakkuk many centuries ago, you establish your nonetheless clause and rejoice in Him – and find your joy and strength in Him.