With the vast amount of precautions being taken to curb the spread of the pandemic COVID-19 (Corona virus), we have heard and seen what has repeatedly been termed “unprecedented” actions within our community, state, country, and the world. While everyone is doing their best to stay healthy, there is understandably a great deal of concern about what happens in the short term in society and life as well as how life will be affected in the long-term.
In the Old Testament book of Habakkuk (written before the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem – see Habakkuk 1:6-11), there was concern and uncertainty among the children of Israel toward the growing might and expansion of the Babylonian Empire. It was a time of looking for hope as well as dealing with a myriad of questions about their safety and their future. A phrase first found in Habakkuk 2:4 is quoted in the New Testament and well-known among students of the Bible (cf. Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38). In the midst of such uncertainty, the last chapter of this short book (Habakkuk 3), the “prayer of Habakkuk” contains the following statement.
“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 may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no heard 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, 18)
For the child of God, our trust in Him should never diminish, even with the uncertainties of the present and questions about the future. In fact, you may find more time to read and study His word now that health concerns across the nation have considerably slowed the fast pace of everyday life. Please keep in mind that even though our interaction with others may be limited during the outbreak of this virus, we can still encourage others via phone, internet, etc. – especially those who are not children of God. Who knows but that a time such as this will cause many non-Christians to think about God and His word with more intensity than in the past. Have a blessed week, stay safe, and keep everyone in your prayers. (Jim)