Habakkuk 3:19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
    he enables me to tread on the heights.

From verse 17 on, this is one of the most beautiful declarations of faith in the whole Bible. From the beginning of the chapter Habakkuk is talking about all the terrifying things that were going on, being sure God had a hand in it, but not knowing the outcome. In verse two he pleads, “In wrath remember mercy.” However, he concludes with this statement, trusting that however horrible the circumstances, God will enable him to rise above them. We all need such faith! As Jesus famously told His disciples just before He was arrested, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) The trick is rejoicing in the Lord in the middle of all the mess, as Habakkuk chose to do. Frankly, few if any people have the moral fortitude to do that on their own, but if we choose to trust God, He will enable us to do it. When Paul said, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength,” (Philippians 4:13) this is exactly what he was talking about. We can’t do it, but He can and will, if we will ask and allow Him to do so.

I have experienced this enough times that I think I must have the spiritual gift of faith, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12, but I still have moments when I really feel punched in the gut. This past Sunday was one of those, but God is working on me, and I thank Him. I keep reminding myself that I don’t see the final outcome, and God’s plans for me, and for those around me, are good. I think that’s what Habakkuk was realizing. I don’t have to know everything that’s going on, and I probably couldn’t handle it if I did. All I have to remember is that God is both omnipotent and loving, and in His grace He has a plan for me that is magnificent. What that looks like on this earth is entirely His business, and I’m not to be worried about it.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I do pray for the people who were involved in the incident on Sunday. I ask that You work in them and in me to tear down the lies of the enemy so that we may indeed walk in the freedom Sister Atsumi talked about in the message, for the blessing of all around us and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!