January 3 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Habakkuk 3:12–19

Devotional

Habakkuk speaks of withered fig trees, vines without fruit, barren fields, empty folds, and stalls without herds, and yet he rejoices in the LORD. Regardless of what the future brings—even if there is no bread on the table—Habakkuk wishes to rejoice in the Lord. These days we wish each other blessings for the New Year. We wish each other prosperity and not empty barns, barren fields, or other hardships. Habakkuk’s emphasis is not on outward prosperity but on the Lord. He says that as long as he has the Lord, all will be well. The most important thing for Habakkuk is not the blessing of God but God Himself. He does not have an extensive wish list for the future. He has but one wish for the New Year and it is that God will be his portion. Habakkuk’s joy lies in the God of all salvation.

Given all the treasures of the earth and the promise of many years with all the blessings mortal men desire, Habakkuk would refuse the gift. God is more precious to him than this temporal life and the finest gold on earth. Habakkuk is not satisfied with little or with much. He only wants God Himself as his portion. If he receives many blessings but does not have God, he will still be in darkness. On the contrary, if he has very little in daily life, he will still rejoice as long as he has the Lord as his portion.

If you enter a prosperous year and receive all that your heart desires, yet lack God, it will be a disastrous year for you. It is better to be bowed under a cross with the Lord than to have a life of abundance without God. The important question, therefore, is: Have you begun this year with God? Do you have the Lord as your God? Do you know something of the secret Habakkuk speaks of: “Although . . . Yet”? Do you seek God before all things and are you satisfied with the blessings of God? If God’s blessings depart and disappointments come, will you be alone?

It is imperative that you understand that without God you really have nothing. This year, seek God before everything else. More than bread, happiness, pleasure, or honor, you need God for time and eternity. You do not have any guarantee that you will see the end of this year. You are blessed if you understand Habakkuk’s secret. When difficulties arrive, God will be your strength. Even if you have to go through the shadows of death, His rod and His staff will support you.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.