“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to tread on the heights.” Habakkuk 3:17-19
Lord God, almighty! So much of what is going on in this world bothers me and breaks my heart. I weep and struggle with the injustice that happens in this country, when the guilty are acquitted and the innocent are judged. My heart is angry about the tension between races and nations and languages. The love that people have for other people is cold and absent. Morality is going out of the window and it is being celebrated; immorality is being legislated and made legal. Around the world I hear of wars and rumors of wars. I read of the persecution that is happening to Christians and my heart weeps. Hunger, homelessness, famine, drought, earthquake-disaster after disaster happens all around me. It all seems so unfair. It all breaks my heart. Sometimes it even makes me angry. Yet, Lord, though all of these things continue, I will rejoice in you and I will celebrate your just and righteous rule of the nations. I will celebrate you and be glad in your salvation. Yet, Lord, I will still and silence my heart before you because you rule in justice and mercy. Instead of just coming to wipe out the evil, you have shown mercy to me and to this world by giving us time to repent. Lord, protect me from the evil of these days and make my feet secure and sure like a deer on the mountain heights. Keep my heart from longing after sin and wickedness. Keep my life from harm and danger. In your hands, O Lord, I commend my body and soul. Send your holy angel, yes, Lord, come yourself to protect me this day. Amen.
Even in distress, trouble, injustice and wickedness, we will celebrate the Lord. His justice is perfect. I will trust it.