“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. The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.”
- Habakkuk 3:17-19
When I plan out these devotions, I choose a series theme I want to do, such as finding hope in the prophets. Then I go on an easter egg hunt for amazing hope filled verses, even if they do not appear as such, that also speak into modern experiences of faith. When I choose these verses for Habakkuk, I did not realize this would be the weekend of Thanksgiving. To one degree, these verses are awful for this time of year but at the same time, these are perfect verses to go through what we may all be experiencing… emptiness.
In Habakkuk’s Days:
Habakkuk hoped for a great and positive word from God about the fate of Judah. At this point, Israel (Northern 10 tribes) had fallen from national status and become captives to Assyria and Babylon. Judah’s fate was yet to be determined, but there was not a lot of hope. Habakkuk had hoped for good news, about protection and providence in these hard times.
Habakkuk got a different word from God, one of destruction and captivity. For Judah’s sins could not be overlooked any longer. Habakkuk sat with this, perhaps with anger, confusion, doubt, and frustration for a few days, before talking with God further. Habakkuk would bend his knee to God, and be faithful in sharing this word to Judah, even if he did not like. As a result, in chapter three, we have one of the more beautiful word depictions of who God is in poetic fashion, and a beautiful and hope filled prayer in the midst of despair.
God is not all sunshine and rainbows and goodness, though He did create the sun, painted the rainbow, and is Good. But this very God also chooses to embrace the pain that His chosen people go through, to bring about reconciliation and strength of faith.
Emptiness in Our Day:
Do I really need to write anything here as an example of despair? My goodness if you haven’t felt that at some point this year, I would love to hear how 2020 has been for you! Despair, grief, and lose are not things to overlook because all of them are a form of emptiness. We were never created to be empty people, but whole people who are wholly God’s.
Anyways, here are some of examples of emptiness in our day. High school and College graduates losing out on various ceremonies to celebrate their hard work. Funerals that would go with few in attendance to celebrate someone’s life. Weddings that would be postponed to celebrate love and unity. Jobs that would be lost that would bring one a sense of fulfillment. Dreams that would be put on pause that would have brought a sense of passion. Social gatherings cancelled that would have surrounded you with people you love and care about. And you can probably continue to add to this list with how you have felt empty this year.
Back to Habakkuk:
Habakkuk and Judah would be left empty and barren as well. They would be overtaken by invaders, taken captive, families split apart, and a whole generation would pass away in a land that was not their own. But this would not be the end for them.
They would not be left on empty. For in the midst of their emptiness, they can still choose to rejoice. They can still choose to be joyful, for who they are as a people, as Habakkuk knew well, was not bound to their lands, harvests, or events. Their identity was firmly as God’s people, for their God was the God of their salvation. God Himself would be their source of strength and hope for God is sovereign over the nations. No matter what curve ball would come their way, God would still be ruling at the end of the day, and that is where their identity lies.
Joy in Our Day:
For Christians, our identities are firmly rooted in Christ, who is our God, the God of our salvation! What He did on the cross for us, filled any possible form of emptiness in us. For in Him we can work hard and be fruitful, celebrate life, find real love and unity, be truly fulfilled, be passionate, and caring without boundaries. Christ set us free from living a life caught up in sin and heading in no direction. In Christ we really can have joy, and He will bring us over any mountain in our lives, including 2020!
So truthfully, there are a lot of things to be thankful for in this year. First and foremost, I am thankful for Jesus Christ, who has not forsaken me, nor given up on me, but has continues to unleash hopes and dreams in me of a world transformed by Him! A world of real peace and unity, that knows no disease or violence, and yet full of people from all over who join in worship of God. Second, I am so thankful for my wife, who’s been my quarantine buddy, puts up with all my shenanigans, and continues to love me! I am also thankful for all my friends, family, and mentors who continue to be a source of fellowship, care, and transformation for me. There’s a lot to be thankful for.
Final Blessing:
So, emptiness is not the end, though we will go through it and experience it, it does not have to define us unless we let it. Instead, as Christians, we let Jesus define us, the one we can rejoice in, have faith in, find joy in. He is the source of our salvation and strength who makes a way to be filled. Empty fields and empty selves are not the end, but Christ is the end who is ready to make us whole. He will make us as surefooted as a deer and bring us safely over the mountains. Surely, in the midst of this empty year there is joy and thanks.
May the Lord of Life and Redemption be with you in every step, every breathe, and every heartbeat of your journey.
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