There is a quip: “Believe in the dark what you learn in the light.”
We are followers of Jesus Christ and are learning to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). We haven’t arrived yet (Philippians 3:12), but God is working on us (Philippians 2:13), and will keep working on us until the day of Christ (Philippians 1:6).
What incredible, awesome promises.
But, when it is dark, it is easy to forget God loves us. It’s easy to forget His loving sovereignty. It’s easy to forget that He is working all things after the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11), and that all things will work to our good (Romans 8:28).
But He is and He does and He will.
Does it look dark out? Does the future look troubling?
The law is ignored and justice is never upheld. The wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out perverted.(Habakkuk 1:4)
God tells us He is doing something! (Habakkuk 1:5)
Our challenge is to believe Him.
Our challenge is to praise Him.
Our model is Habakkuk who saw the evil of his day, and whom God told He was using an evil nation to correct Israel. Habakkuk imagined the trouble that was coming, and determined—determined–to praise God.
I have resolved to praise God in the midst of these dark times. How about you?
Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the Lord,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my high places. (Habakkuk 3:17–19)
~~~
Father, forgive me for not trusting You in these dark times. Forgive me for forgetting what You’ve taught me, for ignoring the promises in Your Word. Help me focus on who You are, Your righteousness, Your justice, Your mercy. Help me praise You, help me give You thanks in everything. And Father, in wrath, remember mercy (Habakkuk 3:1)
