“How long, Lord, must I call for help,

     but you do not listen?” Habakkuk 1:1

Prophet Habakkuk is perplexed about the silence of God amid the acts of violence and injustices of people. Habakkuk ministered during the last days before the exile of Judah. God’s severe punishment over the sins and rebelliousness of people was imminent. Habakkuk poured out his complaints in prayer to God. Then he waited for God’s answers. No answer for a while. He said, “ I will stand on my guard post and station myself, I will keep watch to see what He (God) will speak to me.” Finally, God came through and gave an answer which is the secret of the understanding of God’s unfathomable ways. He answered and said, “But the righteous will live by his faith.” This answer of God quoted three times in the New Testament. (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11 and Hebrews 10:38). The answer gives answers to our perplexing questions. 

Beloved, Habakkuk had to live in days of evil and turmoil by his faith and trust in the Lord God. He said in chapter 3:16(c), “I must wait quietly in the day of distress.” Because the consequences of wicked ways come on us. Then he said these beautiful words. It instructs us how we should live in such testing and uncertain times. It gives a glimpse of how His righteous shall live by faith. Listen it says: 

 

Habakkuk said, “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.” Habakkuk 3:17-19. 

 

God’s punishment over the sins and rebelliousness resulted in exile and famine for Judah in 597 BC. Before God’s judgments, God asked them to repent and turn from their evil ways of living by sending prophets after prophets. They would not repent and turn to God. Now prophet says we need to live through the severe judgment of God. We shall live by faith, one day at a time, as God prescribed.

However, God’s faithful one must live in faith. His righteous one must live by faith during turmoil. They are admonished to look eagerly into the clouds for the return of their savior, Jesus Christ.

The fig tree does not bud, there are no grapes on the vines, the olive crop fails, no food items, no sheep in the pen, and no cattle in the stalls. Yet we should be happy in the Lord. We should live in faith these days of severe testing. 

Beloved, the sovereign Lord is our strength. He would make his righteous ones feet like the feet of a deer. The female deer can climb the mountains without tripping and falling. She can place her front and back feet in the right place and climb up. God would make your feet like this- giving you the strength to climb up even in difficulties if you live by faith in Him.

 

Are you ready for a life of faith in God? God calls you for it right now. Do you know your faith life with God begins with your acceptance of Jesus, His Son, as your savior? The Bible promises “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” In these difficult and uncertain days, you call the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? Father in heaven, I heard I must live by faith in these dangerous and uncertain days. My faith life with you begins with my acceptance of Your Son and my savior, Lord Jesus Christ. I call the name of Jesus Christ for help and salvation. I believe He died and rose again for all of my sins. Please save me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen.”