A Prayer for Hard Times
I have heard all about you, Lord, and I am filled with awe by the amazing things you have done. In this time of our deep need, begin again to help us, as you did in years gone by. Show us your power to save us. And in your anger, remember your mercy. . . . Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; 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. Habakkuk 3:2, 17-18
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Habakkuk saw injustice and violence, misery, and sin all around him. He had cried to God for help, but no help had come. In fact, the Lord told Habakkuk things were going to get worse—he was raising up the cruel Babylonians to oppress the Israelites even more. How can you let them get away with this evil? Why aren’t you doing anything about this? Habakkuk cried. God did not change the situation as Habakkuk had asked. He didn’t drive out their enemies. But he did reveal his plan to eventually foil those who trust in themselves and succeed because of corruption. When God laid out the big picture and told Habakkuk of the victory to come, the prophet was so humbled and awed by the Lord’s greatness that something even more important did change: Habakkuk’s heart. He didn’t stop asking for the Lord’s help, but now he asked with faith and a heart of worship: No matter how bad things get, “I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.” Ask God to build that kind of heart in you . . . no matter what.
Prayers:
LORD, I have “heard all about you, and I am filled with awe by the amazing things you have done.” In our time of deep need, begin again to help us as you did in years gone by. Show us your power to save us! No matter what happens, whether I see prayers answered or victories, may my heart rejoice in you. I will find my joy in you, for you are my strength!
Quotes:
Do you look around and see turmoil, either in the world or in your own life? Meet God the way Habakkuk did. Talk to Him—even cry out to Him—about the evil or injustice or hopelessness. Allow God to help you recall the finished work of Christ and your future hope of final victory.
Lee Brase
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: Habakkuk 1:1–3:19; Revelation 9:1-21; Psalm 137:1-9 and Proverbs 30:10.
