An Unshaken Faith!
Habakkuk 3:16-19 (NIV)
Today i invite you to turn with me to the short but powerful book of Habakkuk. As you’ll soon discover, it addresses how to trust God — even during the most challenging moments of life.
The book of Habakkuk reveals the personal journey of faith expressed by the prophet Habakkuk. In many ways, it is an honest dialogue between the prophet and God, as the prophet works through his own questions and doubts in life. The late J. Vernon McGee captured the essence of Habakkuk’s journey when he said,
“Habakkuk begins with a question mark and closes with an exclamation point.”
You might wonder why an Old Testament prophetic book matters for us today. Here’s why: Without the deep insights of books like Habakkuk, our faith can become shallow, unable to withstand life’s storms. Habakkuk’s message is all about faith—trusting God’s sovereignty even during the most difficult times.
The central truth found in Habakkuk 2:4, “The righteous will live by faith,” underscores this principle.
Well, if you have your bible, turn with me to Habakkuk 3:16-19. Here’s the prophet writes:
“I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. 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 go on the heights.”
In today’s passage, Habakkuk provides us with three powerful insights to help us answer this important question:
How do we exercise faith in God even during the worst of times?
Habakkuk reveals three practical ways we can build and strengthen our faith in difficult seasons:
1. When Things Get Stressed, Be Patient and Trust In God. (v.16)
Fear is an incredibly real and powerful emotion, and Habakkuk experienced it profoundly. In his personal account, Habakkuk openly describes the overwhelming terror he felt when God revealed the impending Babylonian invasion. This wasn’t a vague or distant threat—it was a vivid and tangible danger, a terrifying reality that would soon engulf his entire nation.
In verse 16, Habakkuk captures the intensity of his fear, saying:
“My heart pounded…my legs trembled.”
Consider for a moment the raw vulnerability expressed here. Habakkuk wasn’t immune to fear because he was a prophet; he experienced the same deep dread that we all face when confronted with overwhelming circumstances. His physical reactions—his pounding heart, his trembling legs—reveal just how deeply fear can impact us, even physically.
Many times our fears turn out to be unfounded or exaggerated, but Habakkuk’s fears were legitimate and justified. He knew without doubt that devastation and suffering were coming. Yet, remarkably, in the midst of such distress, Habakkuk made an extraordinary choice. Instead of surrendering to panic or despair, he decided to wait patiently, fully trusting in God’s promises and His perfect timing.
So, how do you typically respond when confronted with fearful situations? Do you panic, deny the reality, or try to mask your fears with superficial optimism or distraction? Each of us has our own coping mechanisms, but Habakkuk demonstrates a far more powerful path: choosing patience and trust in God over fear and anxiety.
We all encounter moments of great fear. Perhaps you vividly recall the fear surrounding the events of September 11, 2001. On that tragic day, our nation was plunged into unprecedented uncertainty, confusion, and fear. That’s precisely what terrorism seeks to accomplish: to paralyze us with fear, robbing us of peace and hope. Similarly, Habakkuk faced a threat of such magnitude. The Babylonian armies were ruthless, infamous for their brutality. The very thought of invasion was enough to make the strongest heart quake.
Yet, Habakkuk responded differently. He did not deny reality, nor did he surrender to panic. Instead, he consciously chose to trust God’s sovereign care. He reminded himself—and us—that even when everything seems out of control, God remains in absolute control. Habakkuk chose faith over fear, patience over panic.
This powerful stance of Habakkuk aligns perfectly with the Apostle Paul’s counsel in Philippians 4:6-7:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
What Paul describes is a beautiful and supernatural exchange—a divine transaction—where we hand over our anxiety and fears and, in return, receive God’s peace. This peace isn’t merely the absence of trouble; it’s a calm assurance that God is actively working in our circumstances and holding our lives securely in His hands.
Christian author Corrie Ten Boom, who faced horrific suffering and fear in Nazi concentration camps, profoundly stated, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Her life demonstrates that trusting God amid fear isn’t a passive resignation but an active and courageous choice to rest in His unwavering love and sovereign wisdom.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety or gripped by fear today? Follow Habakkuk’s powerful and inspiring example: consciously choose patience, deliberately choose faith, and confidently rest in the sovereign care of God. As you do, you’ll discover a deeper trust and experience a profound peace that will sustain you, no matter how turbulent your circumstances may become.
2. When Things Go Wrong, Choose Joy Anyway. (vv.17-18)
In verses 17 and 18, Habakkuk offers us a powerful, poetic picture illustrating the depth of disappointment and loss that life can sometimes bring. He vividly describes three catastrophic scenarios that encapsulate some of our deepest human fears and disappointments:
- No hope for the future: He says, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines.” In Habakkuk’s agricultural context, figs and grapes represented more than simple produce; they symbolized future security and hope. They were sources of joy and expectancy. To see the fig tree barren and the grapevine empty meant that hope itself appeared lost. Imagine investing all your dreams into something that promises a joyful tomorrow, only to discover that promise broken, and the future seemingly robbed of possibility.
- No provision in the present: Next, he mentions, “Though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food.” The olive crop and the produce of the fields represent immediate needs—the day-to-day essentials required for survival. The picture Habakkuk paints here is of current scarcity, a painful reality of deprivation where basic provisions vanish. For many today, this could translate to losing a job, struggling to pay bills, or seeing one’s health suddenly fail. These situations leave us feeling exposed, vulnerable, and deeply worried about today.
- No reserves from the past: Lastly, he speaks about having “no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls.” Sheep and cattle were often signs of accumulated wealth, reserves set aside to weather difficult times. Habakkuk describes a moment when even these past reserves are completely gone. For modern listeners, this is akin to seeing savings drained, retirement funds depleted, or any security we have carefully built suddenly vanish overnight.
In these scenarios, Habakkuk encompasses every conceivable angle of loss: future, present, and past. He shows us what utter devastation looks like, leaving no stone unturned in expressing the severity of life’s darkest seasons. And yet, amid these seemingly hopeless circumstances, he makes a shocking declaration, one that goes directly against every natural human inclination. He says, with boldness and conviction:
Habakkuk boldly declares, “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD!” His joy wasn’t dependent on favorable circumstances, but rather on the unchanging nature of God Himself.
Take a moment and absorb the magnitude of this declaration. His joy was neither naïve nor superficial. This was not the artificial optimism of someone who pretends all is well when clearly it isn’t. Habakkuk’s joy was profoundly rooted, not in circumstances, but in the very nature and character of God Himself.
Why does this matter so much? Because circumstances, by nature, are unstable and constantly shifting. If our joy depends solely on life’s ever-changing events, our emotional and spiritual lives become like boats tossed by stormy seas. But Habakkuk discovered something that changed everything: true joy finds its anchor not in transient circumstances, but in God’s eternal and unchanging goodness, faithfulness, and love.
F.F. Bruce beautifully said, “It is right… to appreciate God’s goodness when he bestows prosperity. But when these are lacking, rejoicing in God for His own sake reveals pure faith.”
Habakkuk’s declaration resonates deeply with the Apostle Paul’s counsel in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Notice Paul does not command gratitude for every circumstance; rather, he urges gratitude and joy in every circumstance. There’s a profound difference. We are not asked to pretend pain doesn’t exist or deny our challenges. Instead, we’re invited into a joy that is deeper and richer precisely because it emerges from our unwavering trust in God’s goodness and presence—even amid great hardship.
Christian author and missionary Elisabeth Elliot, who experienced immense loss and tragedy herself, once wrote:
“Joy is not the absence of suffering but the presence of God.”
Consider her life—her husband Jim Elliot was martyred on a mission trip in Ecuador. Elisabeth Elliot’s joy wasn’t diminished or defined by tragedy; it was sustained and deepened by God’s unwavering companionship and sovereign presence.
Friend, perhaps today you are facing something devastating. Perhaps you’ve lost what seemed secure, faced disappointments, or suffered setbacks that you never saw coming. It’s entirely natural to feel pain and sadness. Yet, Habakkuk’s challenge to us—and God’s invitation—is to intentionally cultivate joy, not by denying hardship, but by embracing the sure and steady goodness of our faithful God.
How do we practically do this? Start each day intentionally recalling the nature of God, reminding yourself of His unchanging character, His unfailing compassion, and His inexhaustible love. Reflect on His faithfulness shown throughout Scripture, history, and even in your own life’s journey. Sing songs of worship, speak words of thanksgiving, read testimonies of those who’ve experienced His sustaining grace in hard times. Surround yourself with reminders of God’s unchanging promises and His eternal faithfulness.
Today, choose to anchor your heart in this unwavering truth: your joy need not fluctuate with circumstances, because it is securely grounded in the eternal goodness, faithfulness, and nearness of God.
May we, like Habakkuk, confidently proclaim from the depths of genuine faith: “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD!”
3. In Your Weakness, Rely Upon God’s Strength. (v. 19)
When Habakkuk faced the darkest, weakest moment of his life, he made a powerful decision: he intentionally chose to rely fully upon the strength of Almighty God.
Listen again to Habakkuk’s confident proclamation in verse 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 deliberately points us to a beautiful and vivid picture of a deer gracefully navigating steep, rocky mountainsides—terrains that seem nearly impossible to traverse safely. If you’ve ever watched mountain deer or goats in documentaries, you’ve likely marveled at their extraordinary sure-footedness. With remarkable balance and agility, they leap from rock to rock, safely ascending heights that appear treacherous and unstable to any other creature.
This illustration is not merely poetic—it vividly symbolizes the provision of God’s supernatural strength during life’s most daunting moments. Just as a deer doesn’t rely solely on itself, but is instinctively designed for these difficult climbs, God has uniquely designed you and me, through His divine empowerment, to navigate and rise above life’s toughest challenges.
You see, Habakkuk understood something we desperately need to grasp today: Our own human strength is limited, temporary, and quickly depleted. No matter how skilled, intelligent, or capable we might be, every one of us inevitably encounters situations that expose our insufficiency. Perhaps it’s a health crisis, a painful family conflict, financial stress, or overwhelming spiritual battles. These situations clearly demonstrate how finite our personal strength and resources truly are.
But here lies the profound spiritual secret that Habakkuk discovered: God’s strength is not limited by our human weakness. In fact, it’s precisely when we come face-to-face with our own limitations that we are perfectly positioned to experience God’s strength most powerfully. God delights to show His power exactly in those moments when our strength fades and we realize our desperate need for Him.
The Apostle Paul, who endured severe trials, suffering, and overwhelming burdens throughout his ministry, described a similar revelation in 2 Corinthians 12:9. Reflecting on his own limitations and weaknesses, he recalls God’s powerful words to him:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Think deeply about what God was teaching Paul. When we admit our inability, when we embrace our vulnerability, that’s when God steps in with His limitless grace and supernatural power. God’s strength doesn’t merely supplement our weaknesses—it transforms our weaknesses into opportunities for divine intervention. Our inadequacy actually sets the stage for a greater demonstration of God’s glory and grace.
Hudson Taylor, the famous missionary to China, captured this beautifully when he said:
“God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on Him.”
Hudson Taylor recognized that it wasn’t strength, charisma, or human talent that God most valued or required. Rather, it was the willingness of ordinary, weak people to lean completely upon the extraordinary strength of God.
Let me ask you today—are you feeling weak? Perhaps weary from battling the same struggles repeatedly, tired from serving and not seeing results, or discouraged from challenges that feel insurmountable? Friend, your weakness does not disqualify you; rather, it positions you perfectly for God’s power and grace. Weakness isn’t something to hide or be ashamed of; instead, it’s an invitation—an open doorway—through which the power of God can flow powerfully into your life.
Charles Spurgeon, the renowned preacher known as the “Prince of Preachers,” once remarked profoundly:
“Our weakness is a vessel designed specifically to be filled with God’s strength.”
Consider that image carefully: Your weaknesses, your vulnerabilities, and your limitations are not accidental. Rather, they’re intentionally designed by a loving, sovereign God to be vessels that He can fill with His divine strength and grace.
Practically, how do we rely upon God’s strength in moments of weakness? We begin by openly admitting our need for Him. Let go of self-reliance and pride, humbly acknowledging your need for God’s sustaining power. This humility opens our hearts to prayerful dependence, crying out honestly, “God, I can’t, but You can. I am weak, but You are strong.”
Next, anchor your heart and mind in God’s promises. Memorize and meditate upon Scriptures that reinforce God’s strength and provision, like Isaiah 40:29, which reminds us:
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
Or Psalm 73:26, which declares triumphantly:
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Immerse yourself in these truths. Let them saturate your thoughts and reshape your perspective, enabling you to view your weakness not as a burden, but as a profound opportunity to experience God’s empowering grace and supernatural strength.
Today, if you find yourself overwhelmed, exhausted, discouraged, or at the end of your rope, remember Habakkuk’s powerful example and declaration. Do not despair, do not surrender, and do not rely on your fragile resources. Instead, boldly choose to lean fully and exclusively upon God’s inexhaustible strength.
As you do, you will discover the thrilling reality that He empowers you beyond your capacity, enabling you, like that sure-footed deer, to reach spiritual heights you could never achieve on your own. Let God’s powerful strength steady your steps, lift your spirits, and bring you safely and triumphantly to higher ground.
Let this be your confident declaration today:
“Lord, my strength is small, but Yours is limitless. Take my weakness, and through it, reveal Your perfect strength and grace. Lead me safely to higher spiritual ground, for Your glory.”
Conclusion:
Habakkuk’s journey began with deep questions: “Does God care? Is God fair? Is God even there?” Instead of running away, Habakkuk ran toward God. His honest questioning and dialogue with God ultimately led him to deep trust and joyful confidence.
Your journey can reflect this same transformation. Jeremiah 29:13 promises:
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Whatever you’re facing today, keep seeking, keep trusting, and allow your doubts to draw you closer to God, not further away. May we confidently declare with Habakkuk, “I trust God… No matter what!”
Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father, grant us faith that remains steadfast, patience that calms our fears, joy that transcends our circumstances, and strength that lifts us closer to You. Transform our hearts so that we trust You completely, no matter what we face. We ask this in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.