May 23

From: Daily Sacrifice By: Henry Allan Ironside

Habakkuk 3:17‑18

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation”— Habakkuk 3:17, 18¹⁷Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: ¹⁸Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. (Habakkuk 3:17‑18).

IN the beginning of the chapter the prophet prayed for revival and blessing. Here, at the close, he speaks as a revived man lifted above all circumstances and enabled to rejoice in the Lord. Though the dark clouds of war and desolation are hovering over the land, he finds his joy not in temporal things but in God Himself. This is as it should be, for there is nothing in this scene that can satisfy the human heart or give lasting pleasure, but at God’s right hand there are pleasures forevermore which fully answer to all the yearning of the soul.

“Sometimes a light surprises

The Christian while he sings;

It is the Lord, who rises

With healing in His wings:

When comforts are declining.

He grants the soul again

A season of clear shining,

To cheer it after rain.

Though vine nor fig-tree neither,

Their wonted fruit should bear,

Though all the fields should wither,

Nor flocks nor herds be there;