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CHRISTIAN LIVING TODAY
Two small words — yet and but — are part of our everyday language. Although familiar little words we use daily, what they communicate is significant.
Perhaps your situation seems hopeless. Or, just now, life makes no sense. Difficulties appear unending.
We tend to approach life using our personal wisdom and philosophies, but God is not bound by such things. But God: “… caused it to grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:6) “… listened to my prayer.” (Psalm 66:19) “… who encourages the downhearted, encouraged us …” (2 Corinthians 7:6) As for yet, in Habakkuk 3:18-19, the prophet prayed, and we are privileged to read his words and understand his heart, as he reached out to God.
He talked to God — individually, personally, through no mediary. His heart ached with impending bad news. He said, “God, I tremble, I fear … but I long for your compassion; show us mercy.”
Habakkuk sought to understand the ways of God, looking for meaning in the chaos. He knew God was the powerful creator of all and sought his help and guidance. He evaluated what he and others had done: they planted vineyards, invested in the olive trees looking for produce, and tended flocks for income and food. All human efforts had failed, even though man had done his part.
From his perspective, there was little, if any, hope.
Then, the three-letter word appears in verse 18. Regardless of the circumstances, with looming disaster, Habakkuk said “yet.” He chose the contrasting view, to trust and rejoice in the Lord.
His prayer in verse 19 should encourage everyone: “The Lord God is my strength, and he has made my feet like hinds’ feet and makes me walk on my high places.”
It was as if he said, “Anxiety does not control my future. I trust God so much that I believe he prepared me precisely to exist during the difficult times or looming crises.”
And the Lord also taught me about yet the day I felt compelled to read the book of Habakkuk. Chapter 3 impressed me then, as it does today. As I write, I understand that it was God’s encouragement that inspired me then and continues to inspire me today.
Faith has a yet — could that be the answer to the challenge you face today?
I pray for your courage and persistence.
Remember, the Lord made your feet strong to walk your path! Until next week, Anita Onarecker, an Elgin resident, author of “Divine Appointment: Our Journey to the Bridge” and minister to women and adults, earned a Master of Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2007.
