DEVOTION – DAY 584

Habakkuk 3:17-19 “God Is My Strength”

Habakkuk 3:17-19 “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, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God, my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. He enables me to tread on the heights.”  

The prophet Habakkuk lived around 600BC in the southern kingdom of Judah. He was a contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah. In vv17-18, Habakkuk looked ahead to the impending invasion of Judah by the Babylonians and the devastation over the land as a result. Their land would lie wasted and unproductive. Their animals would be carried away leaving their sheep pens and cattle stalls empty. But Habakkuk had faith in God. He trusted God and His gracious providence despite the circumstances. In vv18-19, Habakkuk declared that even if God should send suffering and loss, he would still rejoice in God, his Savior. To rejoice means to remain joyful no matter the circumstances. God will be the source of Habakkuk’s strength. Habakkuk was sure that God would give him sure-footed confidence just like feet of deer.

We have a friend who is a doctor. He had a busy career managing two clinics. He was also actively serving in church. One day, he experienced a stroke. He rushed to the hospital and he was treated quickly before the stroke worsened. He is now slowly recovering and is able to regain the use of both his hands and he could walk without the need for assistance. Throughout his health crisis, he experienced calm and peace knowing that he was in God’s mighty hands. He surrendered all his fears to God trusting in Him alone. During his rehabilitation, he relied on God’s strength to persist in all his physiotherapy exercises. He remained joyful and even encouraged his family members who came by to visit and to help him. He is an example of someone who was joyful in the Lord in all circumstances.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we worship you because you are our Savior, our Lord and our Friend. You are our tower of refuge and source of strength. Please help us always to rely on your strength, wisdom and power and never on our own resources. Help us to remain joyful in every circumstance. We humbly pray in the wonderful name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. How have you experienced joy and peace despite tough circumstances. Share.
  2. How has God helped you to face past challenges and overcome great odds?
  3. How has relying in your own resources only led you to have more stress, fears and anxieties?
  4. Why is it important that we trust in God and draw from His strength? Discuss.