Seeing as God sees ∙∙

Seeing as God sees ∙∙

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

Habakkuk 3:16-19

16 I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear. My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror. I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster strikes the people who invade us.

18 Yet I will delight in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet and makes me walk on my high places.

Trusting the Father in the Dark

“The problem with people is that they’re only human” (Hobbes, from Calvin & Hobbes).

Though it may be said lightheartedly, this rings true in the struggles we face. Life is full of hardships—natural disasters, financial hardships, and deeply personal battles like health issues or family conflicts. At times, these challenges push us to our limits, leaving us feeling exhausted and defeated. Have you been there, at the end of your rope, wondering if you can go on?

It’s during these darkest moments that children of the King may find themselves wrestling with the Father. We question His plan, His fairness, and His timing. This struggle against doubt is a recurring theme in Scripture, and it’s one we see clearly through the prophet Habakkuk’s story.

The Struggle and the Sovereignty

Habakkuk lived in difficult times. The Father had told him that judgment was coming to the nation of Israel. The Babylonians—ruthless and terrifying—were on the horizon. Habakkuk was burdened with the task of conveying this grim message, and his heart was breaking. His fear left him trembling, weak in his knees, and almost paralyzed with despair. In great sorrow and anguish, he wrote, Habakkuk 3:16: “I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear. My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror. I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster strikes the people who invade us.”

When Habakkuk hits rock bottom and reaches the end of his rope, he realizes that the Father has been holding the other end all along. God had not abandoned him, nor had He left His people to face their fate alone.

These thoughts are echoed in Hebrews 13:5: “For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’”

Wrestling with God for Answers

Habakkuk’s response to despair provides a blueprint for all children of the King. He didn’t run away from his doubts or frustrations. Instead, he brought his despair and hopelessness to the Father. He didn’t hold back his questions, challenges, or even protests about God’s methods.

The Father stands ready and willing to step in when He deems it appropriate. In time, the Father answered. He revealed to Habakkuk the rationale behind His actions. Habakkuk did not particularly like what he heard.

Habakkuk was miffed and began to pout. Finally, he erupted, Habakkuk 1:17: “Will you let them get away with this forever? Will they succeed forever in their heartless conquests?” 2:1: “I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guard post. There I will wait to see what the LORD says and how He will answer my complaint.”

Habakkuk waited for God’s response, and when the answer came, it was tinged with a bit of a rebuke. So often, when we challenge God, our questions are colored by a degree of arrogance and hubris. We are neither entirely objective nor pure. Our pride, impatience, and self-centeredness make us forget who we are speaking to—the sovereign Lord of all creation.

The Father answers Habakkuk 2:4: “Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him. But the righteous will live by his faith.”

Choosing Faith Over Fear

Habakkuk absorbed the rebuke with grace and promptly straightened up. He snapped to attention. He made a complete about-face. Indeed, the Father is the sovereign Lord of all. God knows what He is doing, even if Habakkuk doesn’t understand. He accepted that the Father is always just and always good. Humbly, he chose to trust the Father.

REFLECT & PRAY

Stanley observes, “Disappointments are inevitable; discouragement is a choice.” When we shift our trust away from our own understanding and place it entirely in Him, we can face even the darkest seasons with confidence.

Father, in moments of fear and doubt, help me trust You in the dark. When I reach the end of my endurance, remind me that You are there to carry me through.

INSIGHT

Renewed Strength for the Journey

The Father doesn’t leave us to endure life’s trials alone. Each child of the King is child-trained by the Father. It is all part of our journey to maturity. Throughout this process, our Father persistently brings us to our limits. He repeatedly takes each of us to the end of ourselves. Our emotional and physical reserves are drained.

He delights in strengthening and restoring His weary children. He tests our limits to demonstrate that His supply of power and grace is limitless.

Isaiah declares, Isaiah 40:29-31: “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

When the emotional and physical reserves of life run dry, the Father’s spiritual resources are always abundant. He enables us to traverse even the roughest roads and climb the steepest mountains. “Come to Him and His Word for the strength to carry on, and He will supply the power you need to traverse the rough terrain ahead. That’s His promise, and God always keeps His promises” (Stanley).

Rejoicing in the Sovereign Lord

How did Habakkuk respond? Habakkuk found hope and joy, not in his circumstances but in the unshakable faithfulness of God. Despite the difficulties ahead, he chose to rejoice and trust in the Father’s strength.

Habakkuk exclaims Habakkuk 3:18-19: “I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.”

“Habakkuk has learned that he can trust God, and with that trust comes great joy, not in circumstances but in God himself: yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. Yahweh has become Habakkuk’s strength (Psalms 18:32, 39)” (ESV notes)

“If you feel hopeless, helpless, or powerless – unable to deal with people or problems and on the verge of exhaustion – take heart in the prophet Habakkuk’s stirring conclusion to his short book” (Stanley).

“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones” (Confucius).

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© Dr. H 2025