Habakkuk comes to a wonderful point of rest in his struggle. It is not that he comes to understand the tensions of life. Rather, he surrenders the prerogative of understanding to God. In coming at last to this position of trust Habakkuk lifted a heavy burden from his shoulders. He is now content to have his life in God’s hands rather than trying to grasp and control things himself. There is now a lightness to his life and a freedom of contentment in God that gives him joy. It is a non-contingent joy, that is, a joy that is unaffected by the vacillating circumstances of life. The words of 3:17-18 are one of the most beautiful Biblical expressions of this non-contingent joy. This joy is well attested in the Psalms, most profoundly, in Psalm 73 in which the psalmist undergoes the very same struggle as Habakkuk. His moment of surrender to God is beautifully expressed in what to me are some of the most profound words of worship recorded in the Bible: “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you” (Psalm 73:23-25). You may not find answers to your suffering and confusion, but you can find peace in the midst of it. Let God be God, and focus on trusting him.
Surrender yourself to God.
Read Habakkuk 3
