We often face uncertainties that can cause fear. Habakkuk was one of many heroes of the faith who quaked in his boots, but conquered fear by choosing to trust God. In Habakkuk 3, he had just been told of impending invasion and destruction from a foreign enemy. He admitted his fears to God and then turned worry into worship.
“I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. 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 3:16-19, NKJV).
We can follow his example and fill in the blanks with our own fears: “Though my spouse is deployed, I must carry on.” “Though there is undeniable danger in the combat zone and I do not know the future, I will rejoice in the Lord.” You might want to pray something like this:
“Lord, I know you hold all my tomorrows. In your sovereignty, you have a plan for my spouse, my family, and me. I know that my spouse is no safer walking the streets of our hometown than he is walking the IED-laced roads in a combat zone. Like Habakkuk, I will encourage myself with the truth of God’s Word, ‘The Sovereign Lord is my strength’ and ‘He is a present help in trouble’ (Ps 46:1). Thank you, Lord. My hope and trust are in you!”
The content of this article comes from “The Warrior’s Bible” (2014) and is copyrighted by Life Publishers International. Used with permission.
