“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” Habakkuk 3:17-18
Many times, I have looked at the world or looked at my own life and asked, “Why God?! Why???”. Oftentimes, these are less of an inquiry and even more of a venting of frustration.
This world has plenty to cause us frustration. Habakkuk lived in the same fallen world that we do, just at a different time. He was a prophet who turned to God and asked, “Why??!!”
Life has many frustrations, struggles, pains, strife, hardships of various kinds. We can often wonder why the world is the way that it is. Sometimes the fig tree has no blossoms and there are no grapes on the vines. It is natural to wonder what our good and all-powerful God is up to during trying circumstances.
Similar to the book of Job, Habakkuk reminds us that God’s plan is perfect, and nothing is so challenging to Him that it will stand in the way of His ultimate purpose. In spite of frequent appearances to the contrary, God is still on His throne and He is worthy of our praise. He is trustworthy, even through life’s toughest trials and the righteous will learn to trust Him at all times.
I once heard a great quote that stuck with me. “When you can’t see God’s hand, trust God’s heart.” When you can’t, by your own limited understanding, see what God is doing, trust in who God is. He is good and loves you enough to do anything for you if it were for your good. The cross of Christ demonstrated this love. When you can’t see what God is up to, trust in who He is. He is praiseworthy at all times.