Day 20 - Faith in Every Season

Habakkuk 2:3-4

“This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. “Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.”

Life can throw on us unexpected twists and turns, and it is during these challenging seasons that faith is tested. It is easy to have faith when life is going smoothly, but in the storms our faith is truly revealed. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reminds us that we have different seasons in our lives. As true followers of Jesus Christ, what is our responses when facing trials and tribulations?

Habakkuk gives us a great example; let’s start with a background to put what we read in context. Habakkuk was the last of the minor prophets to preach in Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel. He prophesied during the fall of the Assyrian Empire in 612 BC and the final Babylonian invasion of Judah in 589 BC. During the reign of king Josiah, Judah had experienced a time of peace, prosperity, reform and restoration. When Josiah died on battle, his sons took over, and everything changed in Judah. Judah was a nation in chaos - instead of peace there was violence, people turned against each other and wickedness spread throughout Judah.

At this time, Habakkuk addressed his struggle and the struggle of the nation personally to God (Habakkuk 1:1-4). Habakkuk asked for help and God says He is going to solve the problem in Judah by sending the Babylonians to wipe out everyone and everything (Habakkuk 1:5-7). That is not the answer Habakkuk was expecting! Habakkuk does not understand God’s answer and he questions God again: Why are you going send a group of people who are more wicked. Habakkuk prays the second time and waits for the Lord to answer (Habakkuk 2:2-4). Verse 4 says “But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God”. Three times in the New Testament the Apostle Paul quotes this verse, so we can see its importance. God was telling Habakkuk (and He is telling us the same thing today) that we need to live a life of faith in every season – especially when we are in seasons we do not understand!

Habakkuk was still confused, so the Lord responds with a wonderful encouragement in Habakkuk 3:17-18, which remains relevant to us in every season:

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

Family Discussion Questions

1. What do you think the promise of Habakkuk 2:3-4 means? How does it apply to your own life?

2. Do you ever find it hard to trust in God when things are hard? How do you think God wants us to respond?

Response – Reflect

Reflect on Habakkuk experience and how it can benefit your stand in your own challenging season.