One Who Embraces

“Though the fig tree may not blossom,

Nor fruit be on the vines;

Though the labor of the olive may fail,

And the fields yield no food;

Though the flock be cut off from the fold,

And there be no herd in the stalls-

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The Lord God is my strength;

He will make my feet like deer’s feet,

And He will make me walk on my high hills.”

Habakkuk 3:17-19

These words have been of great encouragement to me and encapsulate in many ways the anthem of my year, giving voice to the things God has been teaching me.   God gave this faith to Habakkuk as his people chose to not turn to God and to continue on in a seeming path of destruction.  And it is not just faith that Habakkuk has here, but rejoicing! 

This same faith that gave Habakkuk the ability to rejoice we see in Mary as she “rejoices in the God of her salvation” while facing a hard road- a new pregnancy, being unmarried and most certainly scorned in her society.

What is the root of this heart felt cry of surrender and praise in the face of the unknown?

I loved reading a bit on Habakkuk and finding out that his name means “One who embraces” or “Clings”.  My commentary says beautifully, “At the end of his book this name becomes appropriate because Habakkuk chooses to cling firmly to God regardless of what happens to his nation.”  I also find that the Greek word for Lord God in this passage refers to the “Sovereign” Lord God.  Sovereign meaning “possessing supreme or ultimate power”.   He is able to do anything at anytime and what is the clincher here is that He is also all-loving.  He is Love itself.  Without love He could be a powerful dictator to be feared, but He is not.  And without power, He would be a weak God, unable to help us and untrustworthy, but He is not.  I too, can surrender and praise today because I am believing ultimately in His plan and goodness!  I don’t have to see change or purpose today or even in my lifetime to know that I know that I know that God is at work for good!

“The Lord knows best what is needful for us. What He does, He does for our good.  If we really knew just how much He loves us, we would always be willing to receive anything from His hand.  We would receive the bitter or the sweet without distinction.”

                                                                                                                                        -Brother Lawrence