The Impoverished Saint Rejoicing In God

Adapted From A Sermon By

Philip Doddridge

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

(Habakkuk 3:17-18 ESV)

Our subject this morning is The Impoverished Saint Rejoicing In God and our text is Habakkuk 3:17-18: Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

No warning could be more faithful than what Jesus gave us: "In this world, you will have trouble." And no promise could be more comforting: "But take heart! I have overcome the world." Christians, both from the Old and New Testament times, are united in Christ, sharing in the same spiritual comforts. The promise made to Abraham has now extended to us Gentiles. Even in ancient times, believers like Abraham, who foresaw Christ's coming from afar, expressed immense joy. Given the circumstances back then, their joy might seem surprising, unless we understand that God uniquely revealed to those who revered Him the profound truths of His covenant, despite all the layers of symbolism that once obscured it.

The scripture passage we're looking at is from one of the most powerful sections in the Bible, found in Habakkuk's prayer. In this prayer, he contemplates God's immense power and majesty in a way that should stir the hearts of anyone who reads it. He does this to prepare for declaring God's forthcoming judgments against those who've broken His holy laws.

Right before our text, Habakkuk describes sensing a massive disaster looming over his people, which causes him immense distress. He says, "I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me." This could allude to the imminent Chaldean invasion, but it can also symbolize any sweeping calamity, since all troubles are like soldiers in God's vast army, following His supreme orders.

The initial shock of these impending judgments threw the prophet into turmoil, yet after taking a moment to gather himself, he expresses an astonishing peace and joy, rooted in his confidence in God's love for him. No matter what dire scenarios he might face, he declares in our text: "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."

This reflects a profound trust in God's goodness, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.

It's both inspiring and uplifting to closely examine the victories of faith as demonstrated by the prophet. Let's take a moment, my friends, to witness this incredible scene: it's like seeing a bush that's engulfed in the flames of hardship yet remains unburnt because God's presence is within it. Imagine if we could hear God's voice from the heart of this fire, speaking to us with such loving kindness that we recognize Him as our Father and our eternal reward. Let's learn from this to sing a song of triumph, to echo the prophet's heartfelt declaration: "Even if the fig trees don't produce, and the vines are barren, if the olive harvest fails, and the fields bring forth no crops; if all the sheep are taken from the fold, and there's no cow in the barn, still, in all this, we will find our joy in the Lord, we will celebrate the God who saves us."

Let us carefully consider first, the dire situation described here, and then, the incredibly brave faith that's being shown. Let's unfold these down for a moment, and then we'll wrap up with some thoughts.

1. Let's take a look at how terrible the situation described here is, or rather, let's envision this vast landscape of multiple disasters.

The prophet imagines himself stripped of life's comforts, struggling to secure even the basics, facing a barrage of setbacks, and staring down a bleak future. Each of these potential hardships is either directly stated or clearly suggested in the powerful language we're looking at here.

The prophet imagines himself cut off from the joys and luxuries of life. He envisions a scenario where the fig trees bear no blossoms, there's no fruit on the vines, and the olive harvest fails. Canaan was known for its abundance, often described as flowing with milk and honey. You could say that many Israelites enjoyed a life of plenty with the rocky lands producing rivers of oil from olive trees. Figs were so plentiful that a single family could offer two hundred cakes as a gift, and in Judah, where Habakkuk was from, you might find grapes by the roadside, where you could tie your donkey to a vine or even wash your clothes in the grape juice. (Genesis 49:11)

Yet, God's anger can turn a fertile land into a desert due to the sins of its inhabitants, and the prophet sees this happening. He pictures all these delightful fruits failing; the fig tree not blooming, becoming more of a burden than a benefit to the ground; the vine perhaps growing but not producing any grapes. With regards to the olive labor, which involves harvesting and pressing olives for oil, he imagines this effort coming to nothing, or as the original text puts it, deceiving them. This means that after all the effort of gathering and pressing, they would find no rich oil, just empty presses filled with stones and skins, a common occurrence in a bad year.

The prophet portrays himself as stripped of his usual abundance and pleasures; no wine to cheer him up, no oil to brighten his face. You might think, "Well, there could still be bread, the staff of life, to sustain him," and one might assume that a philosopher, and certainly a prophet, could manage quite well with just that. However, the prophet goes further to suggest that he imagines himself also facing a significant shortage of life's essentials.

You should note that the various fruits mentioned weren't just for enjoyment; they had practical uses too. From several Old Testament references, it's clear that dried grapes and figs were significant parts of their diet, and oil was often used in place of butter, making their absence more impactful than it might be for us in our current environment. But beyond that, the prophet also envisions a scenario where the fields produce no crops, neither grass for livestock nor grain for human consumption, which would naturally stop dairy production.

You might argue that in the absence of these, they could still rely on their flocks and herds. However, the prophet goes further to imagine that even these animals are taken away, leaving no small livestock in the pens or cattle in the stalls. In essence, he's describing a situation where there's no fruit, no grain, and no meat. Even if he were living in a mansion of marble and cedar, dressed in luxury, and surrounded by wealth, all that splendor would only highlight, not alleviate, his dire straits.

It's as if he's saying, "Even if I'm brought to such desperation that I can't find my next meal, even if I see nothing but an empty home and barren land where once there was abundance, even then, I will find joy in the Lord, even when, by all appearances, He seems to have withdrawn from me." This implies that the prophet envisions such a combination of disasters that it would seem as though Providence itself is actively participating in his trial and grief.

Often, you'll find that when fruit trees aren't doing well, the crops might still be abundant, or if both are lacking, the livestock might thrive to compensate. But here, it's clear that the prophet imagines all sources of sustenance failing simultaneously. Upon closer inspection, it seems he's depicting two of life's most terrible afflictions coming together: famine and war. The mention of flocks being "cut off from the fold" could suggest warfare, perhaps referencing God's earlier warning about sending troops, which might imply enemy troops that slaughter their livestock.

Some notable commentators believe that the devastation described could be due to the Chaldean armies laying waste to their fields and vineyards, ruining the earth's produce. However, this wouldn't necessarily prevent the fig trees from blooming, suggesting instead that the prophet might be picturing a severe shortage during wartime, where what little is grown is taken, used, or even squandered by invaders right in front of their eyes.

This scenario carries an added layer of frustration because it involves human agency, and from a spiritual perspective, it might have felt particularly harsh. The people might have felt like saying, "Alas! It seems as if God Himself is siding with our enemies against us."

Even the most faithful followers of God can find themselves in such dire straits. Take Job, for instance; while the Chaldeans and Sabaeans were robbing his livestock and killing his servants, he was also hit with the news that fire from the sky had incinerated his sheep in one location, and in another, a tornado had demolished the house where his eldest son lived, entombing all his children. Job could have rightfully said that God seemed to be piling up evidence against him, breaking him with one disaster after another. This kind of overwhelming hardship has marked the lives of many of God's most beloved children in other instances as well. Their heavenly Father appears, through the events of life, not just to disapprove of them but to actively oppose them. Where it was said of Joseph that everything he touched turned to success, for these individuals, nothing they undertake thrives; and to their current struggles, poverty, and grief, they might also face, as the prophet did, a bleak outlook for the future.

Habakkuk envisions a scenario where not only the fruit but also the blossoms fail; the fig tree, which might produce buds one year only to see them ripen the next, doesn't even show signs of life. He imagines the entire livestock being wiped out; not just the young dying or being stillborn, but also the older animals, the entire herd and flock, disappearing. This means that even if they managed to scrape by temporarily, it would only extend their impoverished and troubled existence without any real hope of returning to their previous state of abundance. He's describing a situation where, as another prophet might put it, their roots are rotting while their blossoms turn to dust, indicating that current hardships are mere previews of worse to come.

We've covered the grim aspects, and yes, they're pretty bleak. What would someone do when life's pleasures are stripped away, and even the basics are hard to come by? Imagine facing a barrage of tough breaks, feeling overwhelmed by an endless, gloomy future. Yet, this bleakness highlights what we're about to discuss: the incredible resilience and spirit that the prophet shows in the face of such adversity.

There were certainly some unfortunate souls who might have suffered in such widespread disaster, their personal torment amplified by their own turmoil. It's easy to imagine people experiencing what Isaiah describes: wandering through what was once a vibrant land, now a desolate scene. They might see the remnants of their once-thriving vineyards, olive and fig trees, fields barren where crops once flourished, and empty pens where their livestock grazed. Isaiah foresees them passing through this land, hungry and desperate; in their hunger, they'll grow frustrated, cursing not just their leadership but even their God, whom they mistakenly believed would protect them no matter what. They'd look to the heavens with futile anger against the divine entity seated above.

But how different this is from the resilience the prophet shows in our text! His words, seemingly etched in stone, deserve to be permanently etched in our hearts. Imagine if by some divine influence, these sentiments could deeply imprint on each of us: "yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." This brief statement suggests several key points: in his darkest moments, he would seek God; he would keep his spirit calm amidst the gloom; and more than that, he would find a sacred joy in God, maintaining hopeful anticipation from Him.

The text implies that the prophet would fly to God as his refuge in the midst of all his calamity just as Micah did when he lamented being as stripped as trees after harvest, with all the summer fruit and even the vineyard's gleanings gone, leaving nothing to eat. When his true friends, who could have offered some solace, had vanished, replaced by deceitful and harsh false friends, Micah had no one on earth to turn to for help. Yet he declared, "I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation."(Micah 7:7) Similarly, Habakkuk suggests that in times when earthly support fails, he would turn to God. Even if surrounded or oppressed by enemies, nothing could block his connection to the divine. If trapped by siege or famine, where no one could come to his aid or leave to gather information, his communication with heaven remained intact. There, in that divine connection, lay his refuge, his sanctuary. And this sanctuary is timeless, available to all believers across all ages. God remains like a formidable fortress, stronger than any metal or stone barrier, where the righteous find safety. The prophet knew this, deciding to seek this refuge through prayer. As Mr. Henry aptly puts it, "Those who have made God their business in good times can make Him their shelter in bad times." Consequently, the prophet also implies he would keep a serene soul amidst these trying times.

He wouldn't, like those we've described before, get frustrated or turn to wrongdoing. He wouldn't let himself be consumed by dark thoughts, regrets, or the bitterness of comparison—wondering about others' fates or how his life might have been different with just a slight shift in fortune. Instead, he would accept the current situation as appropriate, even if the reasons weren't clear to him. This joy in God that Habakkuk talks about signifies this acceptance and much more, as we'll soon explore. Without a doubt, he would have stuck to this decision. Even if he faced all these hardships, compounded by having a partner like Job's, who might urge him in despair to curse God and give up, he would reject such a suggestion with outrage. He would aim to convince himself, and ideally her, of the need for calm acceptance, reasoning, "Should we only accept good from God and not the bad?" Like David, he would remain silent, not voicing a single complaint because God was behind it all; he would rather speak to defend God or to praise Him. This brings us to the point where:

The prophet commits to finding joy in God even amidst these daunting circumstances.

Please note the profound emphasis in the text. The previous points are not explicitly stated but are strongly suggested. This holy figure doesn't just say, "I will turn to the Lord, I will accept His discipline in silence, and endure His wrath because I've sinned." That would have been wise and fitting for his role as a saint and prophet, but it falls short of what he truly feels. Instead, he declares, "I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." Notice how strongly and decisively he states this, not once but twice, so no one could think it was just a spur-of-the-moment outburst. No, even after considering every aspect of his poverty and suffering; after listing out the loss of figs, vines, olives, grains, flocks, and herds, he still says, "Despite all this, I will rejoice in the Lord, I will find joy in the God of my salvation."

What bold confidence! What shining faith! What unbeatable love! Wouldn't you aspire to be in such hardship, knowing that as your troubles increase, your comfort from God would increase even more?

Here, my friends, lies the strength and joy of God's followers: not that they're free from troubles, but that they can overcome them with triumph. This is how light shines through the darkness for the righteous, with the Lord being their light and their salvation. It wasn't an empty promise. If the prophet had faced the kind of day he described, he would have certainly echoed David's words, saying amidst all that hardship, "Though there are no figs, no grapes on the vines, though the olive fails and the fields produce no food, yet, Lord, when you shine your face upon me, you fill my heart with joy greater than when there's plenty of grain, wine, and oil." This confirms the wise observation from the author I mentioned earlier: those who find joy in God when life is abundant can find abundance in God when life is empty.

The text further implies the cheerful expectation from God which the prophet would still maintain.

The text also hints at the hopeful anticipation the prophet would continue to hold for God.

This hope must be the bedrock of the joy he expresses; after all, who would find joy in a God from whom no good is expected? In such a dire situation, the most one could do might be to submit quietly, acknowledging God's justice or His absolute authority in withholding further blessings. It's this expectation that fuels our patience in waiting for Him, as David suggests when he says, "O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from God."{Psalm 62:5} And certainly, the prophet implies this expectation when he refers to God as the God of his salvation. Even while envisioning his troubles to be immense, he essentially says, "I know that these gloomy times in His plan are consistent with Him still being the God of my salvation. There's a salvation greater than anything temporary, and even if He were to let me die from hunger, I would still trust Him."

It's valuable to notice how, relying on this salvation, he moves forward with bravery to face any obstacle. "God is my strength," he says, "he gives my feet the agility of a deer; He will let me tread on high places," meaning "My spirit is so invigorated by the idea of God as my savior, that even in the direst straits, I would charge forward with energy, like a soldier in need during a siege, under the command of a wise, capable, and bold leader; he gains strength from his adversity, rushes to the defenses as nimbly as a deer, and, against all odds, claims them as his own."

In this way, the spirit of this holy prophet was made secure, calm, joyful, and uplifted by his contemplation of God and his hopes in Him. To signify this calm assurance, as well as to provide guidance and solace to others, he directed that what he had written be made public, assigning it to the chief musician to be performed on stringed instruments, likely intending it for use in worship services.

As we close here are some reflections for our thoughtful consideration and deeper contemplation:

Let the followers of God not be taken aback or disheartened if they face challenging times or mysterious acts of Providence.

For those who have endured great hardship, having been moved from one challenging situation to another. Don't be surprised even if it feels like an intense test, as though something unprecedented has happened to you. Remember, you are in the company of those most cherished by God, those the world deemed unworthy, who lived humbly, often facing destitution, affliction, and torment.

There might be a mystery behind these trials in your life, but rest assured, it's all part of divine wisdom and love; God's aim is not only His glory but also your ultimate benefit. Wealth and ease might have been like overly rich pastures that harm rather than nourish the sheep. Hardship can teach you lessons that sermons and comforts couldn't. It might help you detach from this transient, often misleading world, encouraging you to find your true wealth in God and to yearn for your real, everlasting home with Him. It can spur you to work harder, live more moderately, and depend on God day by day, literally asking for your daily sustenance. Through such poverty, your spirit might become wealthy, and any worldly scorn or low circumstances might pave the way for an eternal glory that far outweighs them.

And oh, Christian, where is your faith if you wouldn't choose such outcomes over vast riches? Meanwhile, rely on those promises that have been a comfort and a song to countless others now in glory, who, during their wilderness journeys, set up their 'Ebenezers' here and there, saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us." These promises remain in the scriptures and will outlive us and our descendants; future believers facing similar trials will find solace in them.

When the poor and needy seek water and find none, God says, "I, the Lord, will hear them; I, the God of Jacob, will not abandon them." Trust in the Lord, do good, and you will live securely and be provided for. The Lord won't let the righteous go hungry; even if young lions might go without, those who revere the Lord will lack nothing truly good. Christians, can you honestly say you'd trade your hope in God and His promises for the wealth, power, or splendor of the richest, most powerful, or most celebrated among humans? If not, as I believe even the least among believers wouldn't, then be satisfied, even more, be grateful; wait on the Lord, and stay true to His path.

Don't let those who are solely focused on worldly things take pride in such an uncertain foundation.

You can see, my friends, that even if you had the greatest wealth, it could all vanish. The fig tree might not bloom, the vine might bear no fruit, the olive might not yield its oil, and the fields might produce no crops. If this were to happen, imagine how pitiful you'd be without God as your refuge, without having a share in His care and favor! When speaking of those who live for the flesh, it's notable how starkly their fate contrasts with the words of the prophet we've been discussing: God says He will make their happiness end, their vines and fig trees will be destroyed, implying that when these earthly comforts are gone, so too will all their joy vanish.

Surely, none of you are so naive as to ignore that numerous events can strip you of everything you own on earth; at the very least, you know that death will do it swiftly. So, don't deceive yourselves with these temporary illusions. Don't tell yourselves that you have enough stored away for many years to enjoy life. Maybe you don't even have enough for many days or hours. So, let me urge you to build your hopes on a more solid foundation, to secure a truer friend, a more lasting treasure; which leads me to say,

Let us all strive to secure a relationship with God through Christ.

No matter what our situation in life is, we need this; and without it, even with all our wealth, we'll still feel lacking, no matter how well our investments, businesses, or livestock do. Now, by the grace of God, I'm allowed and encouraged to present this to you. I'm not here to promise that the Son of Jesse will grant you real estate or vineyards, or guarantee the prosperity of what you already own.

But if the favor of the Almighty is worth more than land or livestock, then I'm here on a far more significant mission because my message is this: Get to know Him now, and find peace; through this, good will come to you—indeed, the great good we've been talking about. For it's further said, "you will delight yourself in the Almighty and lift up your face to God."{Job 22:26} And so that this blessing doesn't seem too grand to believe, consider Jesus Christ as the one through whom we are brought close to God, through whom we find our joy in Him.

Oh, for the sake of your own well-being, consider this offer carefully, lest one day you find yourself condemned not just for your wrongdoings and illicit indulgences, but also for all the effort and wisdom you've put into amassing fleeting possessions, while in the process, you've overlooked God and shown disdain for His gospel and His Son.

For those of us who, by grace, believe that God is our salvation, let's find peace regarding all future uncertainties.

Those of us most familiar with the ways of the world will trust it the least, and be least likely to say that our situation is so secure that nothing can shake us. Instead, let's lighten our load of excessive worry by entrusting all our concerns to God. The trials we dread might never occur, or if they do, we can be confident that God won't lead us into challenges He can't help us through. Even if we face extreme hardship, He can surprise us with unexpected ways of providing for us; and in the most vulnerable situations, He can make us appreciate the kindness of others more than we ever valued what we once considered rightfully ours.

Remember the promise originally given to the faithful and generous, preserved for the encouragement of every soul like theirs: "the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."{Isaiah 58:11}

Let our focus always be on the Lord, and let's confidently entrust ourselves to His dependable care; for even if not just vines and fig trees wither, not just flocks and herds perish, but heaven and earth themselves pass away, His word will endure forever—that word which encapsulates our hopes for this life and beyond. I end this message with that promise, and in the hope and reality of it, I sincerely pray that each one of us lives and finishes our days.

The Lord God is a sun and shield; He bestows grace and glory, withholding no good thing from those whose walk is blameless.