The news was numbing. The tears came so quickly that she couldn’t fight them. Her mind raced with questions, and fear threatened to overwhelm her. Life was going along well, when it was abruptly interrupted and forever changed without warning.
Tragedy is a scary thing that always hits us by surprise. It can come in the form of the loss of health, wealth, a loved one, livelihood, shelter, and more. Though Habakkuk knew that tragedy was coming, it still struck fear in his heart. God forewarned him that the Chaldeans would be used to chastise Israel because of her unfaithfulness. And the prophet said, “I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear. My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror” (Habakkuk 3:16). This honest confession is sandwiched between two great declarations: God’s faithfulness in history (Habakkuk 3:3-15) and Habakkuk’s response of faith in his faithful God (Habakkuk 3:17-19).
When doubts crowd our minds and we don’t understand the trials we’re going though, we need to go back to the facts of how God has worked in history. That’s what Habakkuk did (Habakkuk 3:3-15). Our faith isn’t based in fiction. It’s founded on a God who has proven Himself faithful throughout the years.
Yet, despite this knowledge, we can still be afraid (Habakkuk 3:16). Fear is a legitimate emotion in the face of tragedy. It doesn’t have to immobilize us, however. We can move on by choosing to praise God (Habakkuk 3:18).
Pastor John MacArthur wrote, “When all hell breaks loose in your world, when the worst comes to the worst, . . . remember your God . . . [Habakkuk’s] problems were solved, not because he understood everything, but because he knew his God and he put his trust in Him.”
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 15:22-41
More:
Read Romans 8:18-39 and reflect on what Jesus achieved for us through His death on the cross.
Next:
How has God faithfully worked in your life? As you remember His deeds, how are you encouraged to praise Him despite the difficulties you face?
tom felten on October 31, 2013 at 9:04 am
Poh Fang, great insights into God’s goodness and faithfulness. I have a friend who is undergoing a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant due to a battle with cancer. What impresses me so much is his consistent lifting up of God and His goodness. This has been a tough journey for him, but he has experienced God’s presence each step of the way.
Yovoyan Abraham on October 31, 2013 at 12:17 pm
Being optimistic in the face of challenges, relying on God’s faithfulness in your doubts will safe you countless headaches, it’ll strengthen you, though it is not easy, but it is not impossible.
mike wittmer on October 31, 2013 at 2:10 pm
Thank you for this! My professor used to say that the time to prepare for tragedy is before it happens. If we wait until it comes, it’s too late. Your words helped me to do that today.
winn collier on October 31, 2013 at 2:29 pm
thanks for reminding us of the distinction between fear as a legitimate emotion verses fear as the posture of our life.