Habakkuk 3:17-19

   Last week I read sections of an old Bible Encyclopedia which gave specifics on life in the Middle East during Biblical times on topics such as food, farming, housing, and clothing.  Reading Habakkuk 3:17-19 in the wake of reading that book, I realize Habakkuk was expressing total loss.  Figs were a staple, and grapes often provided liquid since city water supplies were frequently dirty.  Olives gave oil for lamps, and of course all needed food from the fields.  Sheep gave wool which was made into a primary cloth, and cattle gave the blessed provision of milk.  At that sad hour, the physical basic necessities of life were lost.  Yet Habakkuk does not give up hope.  In fact, he does something radical.

Habakkuk 3:17-19
“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.
For the director of music. On my stringed instruments” (NIV).

   In December of 2012, I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a second B.A. in Youth Ministry.  Yet since that time, there has been unemployment, two huge moves, hardships, and more unemployment.  I had an expectation that soon after graduation I would swiftly gain ministry employment, and then be in a position to date and become married, a longtime dream.  But things have sometimes seemed worse than before I graduated.  Yet I have had many blessings, such as a college ministry role this past school year with Awaken at Ithaca College.  I love those students.
   The other day, I had a problem which only added to my list of problems, and I emailed a few friends in my discouragement.  A friend whom I met at a church in Virginia back in 1996 responded.  Tim stated I should read Habakkuk 3:17-19.  I did.  Then a distant memory came to me: I remembered that Tim, whom I rarely see since we have not lived in the same state since 1997, told me I should read that passage over fifteen years ago when I was struggling with hardship at the time.  Is that wild?  Though I do not remember the occasion or the exact year, I remember the reading of that passage resulted in encouragement from God back then.  And I was encouraged by God again this time reading the Scripture, and also in knowing I have a faithful friend who cares about my hardships still after all these years.  I add I was also encouraged recently by Kristin, a student at Ithaca College, who gave a message on the same line as this passage at a retreat.
   Likewise I know God cares about our hardships, though He allows His children to suffer just as there is suffering possible for all people.  There have been times in prayer when I have asked God why He allows so much suffering.  And many followers of Jesus throughout the past 2000 years experienced or experience unique hardships and suffering they did not experience before they were followers.  Yet as this passage leads us to there is always joy from our Savior, because for the person who has opened his or her heart to Jesus, he or she has eternal salvation from God, thus she or he can have eternal joy, even in the present.
   If you are not in a relationship with Jesus, may you know that He died on a cross for the forgiveness of sins of anyone.  He was the sacrificial atonement, taking the penalty of sins which is physical and spiritual death.  He did this because He loves all people.  If you believe in Jesus, you will have everlasting life.  You will still suffer in this world.  Yet you will always have true Love.
Hunter Irvine