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Living Through Dark Days
In Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities," he famously wrote of times filled with both wisdom and foolishness, belief and incredulity, light and darkness, hope and despair. Today, we find ourselves in similarly conflicting times - what some view as the worst of times, while others maintain hope through their faith.
Moving from Burden to Blessing
The prophet Habakkuk's personal journey demonstrates how to move from questioning and anxiety to faith and trust in God. He transformed from:
- Burden to blessing
- Worry to worship
- Complaint to consolation
- Fear to peace
This transformation occurred when he shifted his focus from his problems with God to the person of God Himself.
The Battle Between Pride and Faith
"Look, his ego is inflated; he is without integrity, but the righteous one will live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:4). This verse, quoted later in Romans 1, Galatians 3, and Hebrews 10, became instrumental in sparking the Protestant Reformation. The contrast between inflated ego and living by faith remains relevant - especially for those claiming to follow Christ.
As 1 John 2:19 notes: "They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belongs to us."
Three Keys for Navigating Difficult Times
1. Wait Patiently When Afraid
Habakkuk's physical response to coming judgment was intense: "I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me" (Habakkuk 3:16). Yet he chose to "quietly wait for the day of trouble."
When overwhelmed by fear and anxiety, Jesus invites us: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). We're encouraged to exchange our worries for His peace: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).
2. Rejoice When Everything Goes Wrong
Habakkuk made one of scripture's strongest declarations of faith: "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation" (Habakkuk 3:17-18).
This passage presents three scenarios of loss:
- No blossoms or fruit: Lost future hope
- Failed crops: Present disappointment
- No livestock: Depleted reserves
True faith chooses to trust God regardless of circumstances.
3. Find Strength in God During Weakness
"God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places" (Habakkuk 3:19). This promise of divine strength belongs specifically to God's people. Like a sure-footed deer on mountain heights, those who trust in God can move forward with confidence even in treacherous times.
Standing Firm in Faith
Even when facing overwhelming circumstances, we can follow Habakkuk's example of bringing our questions to God while maintaining trust. As Proverbs 3:5-6 promises, those who seek Him wholeheartedly will find Him. Psalm 46:1,3 reinforces this truth: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling."
The righteous shall live by faith - not just in times of abundance, but especially during life's darkest moments. By staying grounded in Scripture and maintaining communion with God through prayer, believers can face whatever comes with unwavering trust in His faithfulness.