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The vine and fig tree…. (devo reflection)

Habakkuk 3:17a Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines….

Micah and 1 Kings both mention the vine and fig tree. They seem to be symbols of safety, prosperity, and peace. I think Habakkuk is using them to say that even when life isn’t safe, prosperous, and peaceful, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,” he will still praise God because God is his strength.

Habakkuk 3:17b …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….

I have been at that point in life before, where every single thing is going wrong, when you’ve lost so much and you live in fear of the next blow. It is a terrible place to be, but there is great freedom in being able to say, “I don’t understand what’s going on, Lord, and I absolutely hate it, but I know You love me, and I know You are in control, and I know You can somehow bring beauty from these ashes. I trust You.”

Habakkuk 3:18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Lord, It is hard to rejoice when life feels like it’s falling apart. Help us to remember that we aren’t rejoicing in life, we are rejoicing in You. You are our strength and our shield; our hearts trust in You, and You help us (Psalm 28:7). Thank You. Amen.

Habakkuk 3:19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.

Have a blessed day.

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Living by faith…. (devo reflection)

Habakkuk 2:4 “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness….

I’m struck again by the insidious, destructive power of pride. Faith involves the belief in something, someone greater than ourselves, God. Pride shifts the focus solely to us. “*I* did that. That was pretty cool. Look at me and what I can do.”

Habakkuk 2:18 “Of what value is an idol carved by a craftsman? Or an image that teaches lies? For the one who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak.

It’s a slippery slope for sure, and humans aren’t well equipped to navigate it safely. We slip from faith to self-reliance without even realizing we’ve tipped over the edge. But our pride leads to nothing. Only our faith in God leads to eternity.

Habakkuk 2:19 Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’ Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’ Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it.”

Lord, We are a proud people. We put far too much faith in ourselves and our own abilities. Forgive us. Help us to root ourselves firmly in You alone. Help us to live by faith in You alone. Amen.

Habakkuk 2:20 The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.

Have a blessed day.

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Be utterly amazed…. (devo reflection)

Habakkuk 1:2 How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save?

Lord, I am so tired, and it seems the more exhausted I am, the more I try to “get all up in Your business,” trying to be sure You see, You know, You understand all that is going on in this world. Forgive me for my arrogance.

Habakkuk 1:3 Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.

Lord, I don’t often understand what You are doing. Help me cling to Isaiah 55:8: “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Help me to trust You always, even when I am exhausted.

Habakkuk 1:5 “Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.

Lord, I pray the words of Psalm 25 to You: 1 O LORD, I give my life to you. 2 I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced…. 4 Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. 5 Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Hear my prayer, Lord. Amen.

Habakkuk 1:6 I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwellings not their own.

Have a blessed day.

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A gift of thanks…. (devo reflection)

Deut 16:10 Then celebrate … by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the LORD your God has given you.
As I was reading this morning’s chapter, this question came to mind: Do I praise God in proportion to the blessings He has given me? Sadly, the answer is no. Not always, not most days, not nearly often enough. And these long days of quarantine, where every little annoyance is amplified, these days aren’t helping me any toward that end.
Deut 16:17 Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.
The humanity in me wants to castigate myself for these transgressions, to beat myself up for my failures, but to give in to that desire would mean that there is no hope of change, and with my precious Savior, I ALWAYS have hope. Thank You, Jesus!
Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the LORD always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for Your blessings and the hope that can only yet always be found in You. Thank You for the many blessings in my life, Lord. Help me to rejoice in You always, as a gift to thank You for Your sovereignty and love. Draw me closer. Amen.
Habakkuk 3:18 …yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!
Have a blessed day.