Can you praise God even when things don’t go as planned?
Habakkuk 3 is a prayer of praise, showing a remarkable transformation in the prophet’s heart. He moves from questioning God’s justice to trusting in His sovereign plan, rejoicing in the Lord even when circumstances seem bleak.
Key Verse:
“Yet I will triumph in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” – Habakkuk 3:18 (NASB)
Background Context:
After questioning God in the first two chapters, Habakkuk ends his prophecy with a prayer of faith and surrender. He recalls God’s past faithfulness and power, recognizing that even though judgment is coming, he can trust the Lord. This chapter shifts from fear to worship, teaching us that faith is not about seeing immediate results but trusting in God’s character.
(Continued and expanded after scripture.)
God’s Deliverance of His People
1A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.
2LORD, I have heard the report about You and I fear.
O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years,
In the midst of the years make it known;
In wrath remember mercy.
3God comes from Teman,
And the Holy One from Mount Paran.
His splendor covers the heavens,
And the earth is full of His praise.
4His radiance is like the sunlight;
He has rays flashing from His hand,
And there is the hiding of His power.
5Before Him goes pestilence,
And plague comes after Him.
6He stood and surveyed the earth;
He looked and startled the nations.
Yes, the perpetual mountains were shattered,
The ancient hills collapsed.
His ways are everlasting.
7I saw the tents of Cushan under distress,
The tent curtains of the land of Midian were trembling.
8Did the LORD rage against the rivers,
Or was Your anger against the rivers,
Or was Your wrath against the sea,
That You rode on Your horses,
On Your chariots of salvation?
9Your bow was made bare,
The rods of chastisement were sworn.
You cleaved the earth with rivers.
10The mountains saw You and quaked;
The downpour of waters swept by.
The deep uttered forth its voice,
It lifted high its hands.
11Sun and moon stood in their places;
They went away at the light of Your arrows,
At the radiance of Your gleaming spear.
12In indignation You marched through the earth;
In anger You trampled the nations.
13You went forth for the salvation of Your people,
For the salvation of Your anointed.
You struck the head of the house of the evil
To lay him open from thigh to neck.
14You pierced with his own spears
The head of his throngs.
They stormed in to scatter us;
Their exultation was like those
Who devour the oppressed in secret.
15You trampled on the sea with Your horses,
On the surge of many waters.
16I heard and my inward parts trembled,
At the sound my lips quivered.
Decay enters my bones,
And in my place I tremble.
Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress,
For the people to arise who will invade us.
17Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
18Yet I will exult in the LORD,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
19The Lord GOD is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,
And makes me walk on my high places.
For the choir director, on my stringed instruments.
Reflection on Habakkuk 3:
- Remembering God’s Past Faithfulness:
Habakkuk recalls how God has acted in history to save His people (Habakkuk 3:2-15). This strengthens his faith, reminding him that the same God who delivered Israel before will be faithful again. When you face uncertainty, do you take time to remember how God has worked in your life? - Waiting with Patience and Trust:
Habakkuk acknowledges that trouble is coming, yet he waits for God’s plan to unfold (Habakkuk 3:16). Faith means trusting God’s timing, even when we don’t understand His ways. Are you willing to wait on God rather than rush ahead with your own solutions? - Rejoicing Despite Difficult Circumstances:
Even if crops fail and livestock are lost, Habakkuk declares that he will still rejoice in God (Habakkuk 3:17-18). His joy is not based on his circumstances but on God’s unchanging nature. Is your faith dependent on what God does for you, or do you trust Him no matter what? - God Is Our Strength:
Habakkuk closes by recognizing that the Lord is his strength, making him as sure-footed as a deer (Habakkuk 3:19). No matter the trials we face, God gives us the strength to endure. Are you relying on your own strength, or are you finding strength in Him?
Summary Key Points:
- Look Back at God’s Faithfulness: Remembering His past works strengthens our faith.
- Trust in God’s Timing: Even when trouble is ahead, wait on Him.
- Rejoice in the Lord, Not in Circumstances: True joy comes from knowing God, not from worldly security.
- God Gives Us Strength: He equips us to endure hardships and walk by faith.
Application:
Instead of focusing on what’s going wrong, shift your perspective to who God is. Recall how He has been faithful in the past, trust in His timing, and choose to rejoice in Him today. Even if circumstances don’t change immediately, let your faith be unwavering.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness through all generations. Help us to trust in Your timing, rejoice in You despite challenges, and find our strength in You alone. May we remember Your past works and walk in faith, knowing that You are always in control. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.