Habakkuk 3:16-19 I heard, and my body trembled, My lips quivered at the voice; Rottenness entereth into my bones, and I tremble in my place; Because I must wait quietly for the day of trouble, For the coming up of the people that invadeth us. For though the fig-tree shall not flourish, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labor of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no food; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in Jehovah, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Jehovah, the Lord, is my strength; And he maketh my feet like hinds' feet, And will make me to walk upon my high places. (ASV)

Habakkuk is a little book towards the end of the Old Testament. It's a book that is easily overlooked. It's only three chapters long. I came across it one day and noticed I had highlighted the last three verses. I don't know when I did this, but there they were, waiting for me to read them. I became curious about the verses, and why they were written, so I settled myself down and read the book. It's a fascinating book!

Habakkuk was a prophet who had a conversation with God about the wickedness of the nation of Judah. He asked God how long God would allow Judah to be wicked. God's answer to Habakkuk was to tell him God would allow the Babylonians to come against Judah. Habakkuk was baffled by God's answer. The Babylonians were violent, cruel, and even more wicked than Judah. Why would God punish Judah with a nation that is even more wicked? Habakkuk asked God this question and God tells Habakkuk He is aware of the wickedness of Babylon and He will deal with them too. God had two “naughty” nations, and like any good parent He was taking care of them in the best way possible, even if it didn't make sense or seem fair to Habakkuk.

Habakkuk did not take this information lightly. He was quite fearful at the thought of being taken over by a brutal and cruel nation. He said his lips quivered, his body trembled, and rottenness entered his bones. Habakkuk was about to collapse. Understanding that God's hand is on all that happens in this world, Habakkuk chose to cling to God and let God help him through the terrifying events. He praised God and that is where the texts at the beginning of this message come in. Although Habakkuk was frightened he chose to rejoice in the Lord. He chose to have joy in the God of his salvation. He then said,

“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 3:19 (MKJV)

Habakkuk was saying something similar to what David said in the 23rd Psalm.

"Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4 (MKJV)

When we cling to God, trials will still come, but God will keep us from going into the valley of despair and pull us up on the hills of hope. God never promises we won't have trials or fearful situations. But by clinging to Him, we can have confidence when facing our fears.

When I was a very little girl I went on a drive with my dad. We were driving along a wooded area when a flagman stopped us and asked us to pull over to the side of the road because a large Cat was coming down the road. He was referring to large construction equipment called Caterpillar. But my little girl mind thought a huge mountain lion was going to come bounding out of the woods. I was terrified! My dad just smiled and told me to watch for the large cat. He had no idea what my little mind was thinking. I didn't run from the car, or try to hide. I sat there, very frightened, but assured that whatever happened, even if we got attacked by a mountain lion, my dad would help me deal with it. I had confidence while feeling frightened. When the Cat did come down the road and dad pointed it out to me, I let out a big sigh of relief, and then told him I thought we were about to be attacked by a large wild cat. We still chuckle about it to this day.

The Christian life will have it's frightening moments as will those who are not Christians. The difference is that the Christian can have confidence while going through those moments. The Christian knows God's hand is on everything. Nothing happens to us that hasn't passed by Him first. We may not understand why He allows things to happen, but we do know He is Lord of everything and more powerful than anything. He is in control. The person without God does not have that confidence. They only have a sense of hopelessness.

Cling to God. Don't let fear take your eyes off of God. He created the earth and the universe. He is the Creator of everything! There is nothing He can't deal with or control. He is our strength and He will put us on the high places and let us walk there with Him.