Roughly 600 years before Christ and shortly before the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem and it's overthrow, the prophet Habakkuk realized what was coming and lamented the situation crying out to the Lord.
Habakkuk 1:2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!
3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.
4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.
Then following his prayers and discussion with the Lord he ended his writing expressing his trust, confidence, spiritual joy, and rejoicing, saying in Chapter 3:16-19a When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.
17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour 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:
18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.
Today, we live in a time of trouble, uncertainty, and many fears abound. But thank the Lord, Jesus not only arose from the grave, He reigns as King of kings, and Lord of lords. With Christ we can say as Habakkuk said, " Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
My prayer is Lord, help your people that we not waver in the face of adversity.
