Today’s Reading: Habakkuk 3

17 Though the fig tree does not blossom
and no fruit is on the vines;
though the produce of the olive fails
and the fields yield no food;
though the flock is cut off from the fold
and there is no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will exult in the God of my salvation.
19 God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer
and makes me tread upon the heights.
Habakkuk 3:17-19a

The power of yet. 

Habakkuk surprises us. His prophecy, a mere three chapters long in that series of twelve small books known as the Minor Prophets, has much doom and destruction to foretell. He speaks of standing on the ramparts of the city walls, looking out over the horizon, seeing the destruction that will befall the city. For the first two chapters, plus most of the third, this is the message: watch out! Death, doom, destruction, are coming. 

Why? The people have been unfaithful, they have made a mockery of and live outside of God’s ways. They have no one to blame, according to Habakkuk, than themselves. The approaching armies, the horsemen and chariots that will bring destruction and doom, are the natural consequence of their unrighteousness and unjust actions.

I’m sure we can relate. I can think of times in my life where I have messed up and had to face the consequences. Bring to mind one of those times in your life. What happened? How did it feel? 

For Habakkuk, the moment described in verse 17 is desolation. The consequences of the people’s actions leave nothing behind: no agriculture, no food to eat, no livestock, no commerce, no way to make money. They are facing utter ruin. They must feel frightened, anxious, and depressed! But then, the prophet speaks a bold word:

YET!

Yet, Habakkuk says, he will rejoice in the Lord. This ought to strike us as odd, but in his prophetic utterance, he gives us a means to move beyond our times of desolation, where our own actions have led to consequences in our lives. Repent, go back to God, seek relationship, for God will restore. 

That’s the powerful promise we have today. Even when we are at fault, bringing our own harm, God restores, God redeems, God provides. God will make our “feet like the feet of a deer and…tread upon the heights.” Certainly, that’s what happened for the people of God, whom God restored to the land and blessed their labors.

When facing consequences, even desolation, from actions we taken, God will provide. To say “yet” is to boldly declare that God is not finished with us yet, for when we repent, God is good to forgive, provide, restore.

The power of yet.

Think
When have you faced consequences for your actions? How did God restore? Or are you awaiting God’s restoration?

Pray
Declare a bold yet to God in prayer. No matter what sins or consequences you face, say to God “yet, I will rejoice in you, I will exult in you, my salvation.” 

Do
Repent by bringing your sins before God and by making amends with those harmed, as needed.

Think, Pray, Do. As we respond in faith to scripture, God moves in power through our minds, hearts, and bodies. We are the people of God. Thanks for reading today. Go in peace. Amen.

Think, Pray, Do devotionals by Ted Goshorn follow the suggested bible reading plan from his website and book, Prayer Changes Us. Find this Bible reading plan at tedgoshorn.org/biblereading. If you have found today’s devotion helpful, don’t forget to subscribe for daily emails at tedgoshorn.org and share with others that we may think, pray, and do faithfully.