This week, we are considering what I believe to be the greatest faith statement in the Bible. It is found in Habakkuk 3:11-19.

Yesterday, we considered the background behind the statement. Today, we consider the statement itself.

Habakkuk 3:17-19
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,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
He enables me to go on the heights.
For the director of music. On my stringed instruments

What Habakkuk describes here is a picture of abject poverty in every aspect of daily living. Everything that one would consider essential to life has been taken away.

Let’s try to see how Habakkuk would say this were he living today.

“Though the fig tree does not bud”
Though all of our favorite fruit is no more, (apples, oranges, bananas, etc.).

“there are no grapes on the vines”
Our favorite beverages are no more (Dr. Pepper, Coke, tea, lemonade, grape juice, orange juice, etc.)

“…though the olive crop fails”
Olives were used to produce oil to light their lamps. So for us, our power source has failed (utility companies, i.e. electricity, gas, water).

“…the fields produce no food”
Our total food supply is gone (No grocery stores anywhere). Walk in to your favorite grocery store and see row after row of nothing but empty shelves.

“…though there are no sheep in the pen”
Sheep’s wool was used for clothing. (No Penney’s, Kohl’s, Ross, etc.)

“…no cattle in the stalls”
No more steak or hamburgers. No more milk supply (goodbye Braum’s).

In other words, NO WALMART!

Do you get the picture? Everything that is needed to sustain life except water and air are gone.

So, how would you respond if this was the case? If everything is gone that you need to sustain life, how would you respond?

Look what Habakkuk says and then you will see why I call this the greatest faith statement in the Bible.

Habakkuk 3:18 “…yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

We will expound on this amazing statement tomorrow. For now, ask yourself how you would respond to such a moment in life.