“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls—Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 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. To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.”
Habakkuk 3:17–19

Habakkuk began this book with a heart full of sorrow, but he ends it on a high note with a song! He was confused by what God was doing and concerned about the judgment that was about to fall upon his people. He began by pondering the ways of God, but now he finds himself praising God. What made the difference? In chapter two, Habakkuk began to be occupied with the glory of God, tracing the ways of God with His people from Sinai to Egypt, through the Red Sea, and into the Promised Land. Now, as he concludes his contemplation, he confesses that no matter what happens, he will trust his God!

Habakkuk realizes that by the time Babylon was finished with the land and judgment had fallen, there might not be much left (2:17). But he also realized that no matter what happened, God would still be on the throne! He could rejoice because the Lord God was his strength and his song. His lips might have been trembling and his legs might have been shaking (3:16), but his heart began to sing! With all that Habakkuk had been told was about to happen, most people would have sat down and wept, but he was ready to scale a mountain!

I think of Mark 14:26. The Lord Jesus was about to cross the Brook Kidron and go to Gethsemane on His way to the Cross, but He sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives. Paul and Silas, in the jail at Philippi, had been beaten and imprisoned, and yet they blended their voices together in praise to their God!

The Lord can give songs in the darkest night (Job 35:10). As we are occupied with His lovingkindness during the day, His song shall be with us during the night (Ps. 42:8). The psalmist could say, “I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, and my spirit makes diligent search.” Habakkuk had that experience as he rejoiced in his God, who was his salvation and strength!

Mtangazaji wa Leo:
The Lord is able to fill your heart with songs of praise, even in the darkest of nights.