Thankful Through the StruggleSample

Day 3: Finding Joy in Unchanged Circumstances (Habakkuk 3)

Praying for God’s Power to Show Up Again

In Habakkuk 3, the prophet’s prayer takes on a new tone. This time, he’s not asking God to fix his circumstances. Instead, he prays, “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known” (Habakkuk 3:2). Habakkuk remembers God’s past miracles and asks for a repeat, hoping God will work in the same mighty ways again. His prayer moves from desperation to expectancy, from frustration to faith, even though his situation remains unchanged. Habakkuk’s story encourages us to bring our requests to God with the same hopeful expectancy, trusting He can move in powerful ways.

Declaring “Yet” Faith in the Face of Fear

Habakkuk’s prayer doesn’t end with his petition. He boldly declares his trust in God despite his unchanged circumstances. “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines… yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18). In Hebrew, this prayer is called a “shigionoth,” a passionate song with shifting rhythms—a wild praise in the middle of a storm. Habakkuk’s “yet” is a powerful declaration of faith, showing his choice to praise God despite fear, uncertainty, and desperation. His heart pounds, his lips quiver, and his legs feel like Jell-O, but his spirit clings to God. The second “yet” transforms his outlook: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.” It’s a bold, defiant praise that looks beyond his current fear and focuses on God’s faithfulness.

Rejoicing in God’s Strength, Not Our Circumstances

When we pray with this “yet” faith, we experience something incredible: a shift from focusing on what we lack to focusing on who God is. Habakkuk realizes that God will still be his strength even if his situation doesn’t change. He declares, “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights” (Habakkuk 3:19). Just as a deer finds sure footing on rocky terrain, Habakkuk finds stability in God. His circumstances haven’t shifted, but his spirit has. He undergoes a profound transformation from fear to strength, from worry to worship, inspiring us with his journey.

Thanking God for His Presence in the Valleys

Habakkuk’s final prayer shows us that true joy isn’t tied to circumstances. It’s found in God’s presence and strength, whether we’re on the mountaintop or deep in the valley. His prayer teaches us that we can still thank God even when the fields are barren or the stalls are empty. We can thank Him for His faithfulness, sovereignty, and steadfast love that sustains us.

Choosing Praise in Every Circumstance

Today, let’s embrace Habakkuk’s example of praising God in the “yet.” Open your prayer journal and list the areas where life feels barren. Then, write a “yet” statement of faith for each one. For example, “Though finances are tight, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, who is my provider.” As you shift your perspective, may you find the joy and strength that comes from trusting in God, even in the hardest places. Let your “yet” remind you that God’s presence is enough and His strength sustains, no matter what lies ahead.

Thank you for joining me in Thankful through the Struggle. If this plan encouraged you, I invite you to explore my book, Desperate Prayers: Embracing the Power of Prayer in Life's Darkest Moments, where you’ll find even more ways to experience God’s strength and hope in life’s hardest moments. Click here for more.

May your journey be filled with deeper faith and renewed joy!