THOUGH THE FIG TREE DOES NOT BLOSSOM

In Habakkuk, we find one of the most timeless passages in the Bible- words spoken at the depths of despair, yet portraying the heights of godliness. As Habakkuk surveys the apparent injustice in the evil Babylonians trampling over God’s people, God shows him what is about to pass and Habakkuk pens down these verses,

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)

In these words, Habakkuk displays the heights of faith. It is easy to believe in God when he is active in our lives, but difficult to do so when he is silent. When evil multiplies and ungodly people, whose only interest is self, apparently impose their wills and get their way done, the righteous often ask, “Where is God?” Habakkuk is able to draw on the reserves of faith deep within and still say that it is possible to rejoice in God even in the worst of circumstances. And it is not just a passive acceptance of adversity, but a rejoicing in the circumstances we find ourselves in. 

We also see the breadth of hope in these words. Habakkuk is saying that he will not be fixated on his current situation, rather will wait for God to be his strength and take him to the heights, giving him the speed and the dexterity of a deer. Christian faith is built on hope, which is the assurance that the future will always be brighter for those who struggle through the present to follow Christ. We find ourselves in an evil world, where following the truth and living for God is scorned upon and where apparently the best pleasures are reserved for those who choose to distance themselves from God. But hope allows one to recognize the brevity of this life and yearn for a better future, ultimately attaching oneself to the eternal future, where every tear will be wiped away and every sorrow removed as one experiences the fountain of life in the proximity that Christ brings.

Finally we see the depths of love as Habakkuk demonstrates in these words the bond between him and God. Without that bond, it is impossible to believe that suffering is temporary. Love enables one to unswervingly hold on to the goodness of God. He is good, no matter what! He always desires the best for every person. And because we live in a broken world, the ultimate best for us does not always appear good in the near term. To be able to accept adversity with that mindset requires a strong bond of love with God. 

When faced with adversity, may Habakkuk’s words help us find strength in Christ within.

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