Habakkuk’s “Yet …”
Life does not always go as hoped or planned.
Fig trees don't blossom, trials await us;
In ways that we struggle to understand,
We see pain, despair, hate, and injustice.
We can't always fix what we see is stuck -
In our lives, communities, or our world.
But in such times, our faith quotes Habakkuk:
"Yet I will rejoice this day in the Lord."
And if not rejoice, we cling still to "yet ..."
Which leaves the door open for God to act.
"Yet ..." says, we trust you, Lord, not to forget,
To give what we need to help those who lack.
"Yet ..." believes God will make our feet like deer,
So we can tread high, and bring God's reign near.
This is a sonnet written for my daughter, whose birthday we celebrate today, and who names this passage from Habakkuk as one of her favorite in all of scripture. It is Habakkuk’s profoundly moving statement of faith made at the very end of his book:
Though the fig tree does not blossom,
Habakkuk 3:17-19
and no fruit is on the vines;
though the produce of the olive fails,
and the fields yield no food;
though the flock is cut off from the fold,
and there is no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will exult in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
and makes me tread upon the heights.
My Pastoral Ponderings 
Thanks for this post.
We notice also the difference between the words ‘yet’ and ‘but’
Yet is much more encouraging.
I try to avoid using the word ‘but’ 🤗⚘🌷
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Yes, it is interesting to think of the difference between these two words. “Yet” definitely has a more encouraging feel to it. And coming when it does in this book, it is quite moving.
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A great sonnet!
I remember being awestruck by a talk that David Pawson gave on Habakkuk and this minor prophet became a newly discovered and understood favourite of mine thereafter
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Thanks for the comment, and I agree – Habakkuk is an incredible little book! Definitely one of my favorite minor prophets (although Jonah is right up there, too).
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Oh yes! It’s always such an encouragement that so many who have been called by God resisted. From Moses and his send someone else to Jonah and his sea escape. Even Avram and his actions and yet because he believed God it was credited to him as righteousness. Then there was David and his neighbour’s wife. Peter of course and his great denial. It truly does reassure us that God forgives us every time and that we can serve him still if we are willing.
Keep up the great work.
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Wonderful examples of those who resisted God’s call from the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us! It is very reassuring, indeed! Blessings to you.
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Many blessings always
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Beautiful, James.
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Thanks, Mitch. That means a lot!
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Yes, it’s one of the powerful”yets” in the Scriptures. It represents the universal Hope and Faith in the Creator. It’s a moving one. Amen🙏
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So true. Thank you for the comment, and blessings to you.
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