Would You Still Rejoice in the Lord Even if You Lost Everything?

Thinking about Habakkuk 3:17-19.

Photo by Shail Sharma on Unsplash

Habakkuk did not understand why God would use the wicked nation of Babylon to punish His people.

God reminded Habakkuk that He was also the judge of the Babylonian nation, and they would face justice for their deeds.

After considering the greatness and sovereignty of the Judge of all the earth, Habakkuk expressed his continued faith in God.

Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

Habakkuk said that even if all prosperity were gone - he would still rejoice in the LORD.

Job didn’t understand why he was suffering so tremendously, but he responded in a similar way to Habakkuk.

And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. (Job 1:21-22)

Despite not knowing why some things were happening to them, Job and Habakkuk continued to trust God.

Could we say the same thing? If we were to lose much or all of our prosperity - would our faith in God remain? Would we continue to cling to God even if we didn’t understand what was happening to us?

I suppose it’s easy to answer that question while we are comfortable. Perhaps we would do well to spend time contemplating what we would really do if we lost everything.

In who - or what - does our faith truly lie?