Faith Built in Adversity by Christina Cannon

Hab 1:2-4
“O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?
Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?”

Habakkuk struggled with what he thought was God’s lack of response. He believed God to be silent. He questioned God about the rampent injustice and suffering in Judah. He cried out to God for intervention. He wanted Him to move quickly.

We are the same, always wanting God to intervene immediately.

God sees beyond our current circumstances. He sees the bigger picture, while we can only see the now.

God does answer Habakkuk in vs 5
“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded.
For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.”

God is always working to fulfill the plans He has for us. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

In chapter 3 of Habakkuk, his prayer to God concludes in verses 17-19. Habakkuk realized that he was to rejoice in the Lord no matter the circumstances. Like the sure-footed deer scaling the mountain heights without slipping, Habakkuk’s faith in God was his strength. God would enable him to endure hardship. As a result of the struggle, Habakkuk’s faith grew.

Hab 3:17-19
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer’s; He makes me tread on my high places.”

Just as Habakkuk’s faith grew as he wrestled with God’s plan, we too must wrestle. Without struggles, we would remain the same. Through life’s difficulties, we learn to persevere. God uses our circumstances to strengthen our faith and to build our trust in Him by drawing us closer.

James 1:2-4 informs us, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

1 Peter 1:6-7 encourages us, “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 10:35-39
“Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but My righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”

Throughout life, we all face challenges and heartbreak. How we respond makes the difference. Let’s not throw away our faith. As Habakkuk learned to rejoice in God, we must learn to do the same no matter the hardship.

Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”