Jan 15, 2023
Scripture Reading: Habakkuk 3
The third chapter of Habakkuk is a song of praise, but Habakkuk's praise is in the context of the horror of divine judgment on Judah. This section of Habakkuk lauds the might of the Almighty … "His splendor covered the heavens and the earth was full of his praise. His brightness was like the light" (Hab 3:3,4). God had revealed to Habakkuk that God would display His divine power, both in the destruction of Judah and the destruction of Babylon.
The proper reaction to the power of God in judgment is trembling … "I hear, and my body trembles . . . my legs tremble beneath me" (Hab 3:16). But this is not the only reaction Habakkuk had. He also rejoiced. "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines . . . yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength" (Hab 3:17-19).
This passage answers the question, "Is it possible to experience joy in the middle of suffering?" The Bible commands such rejoicing amid multiplied troubles (cf. Jam 1:2-4).
Since God is the source of all life, He is the source of all joy. In the middle of the horrors of war, Habakkuk's joy was a delight in God Himself. The power, justice, mercy, wisdom of God were for Habakkuk … and are for us … the fountain of gladness. And since God never changes, if our delight is in Him, we can know joy in the darkest of days, and even when we are on our death bed.