Even If, Even Then

Debbie and I enjoyed  nice stroll in the mountains this morning and a bean bag toss game back at the resort. It was a tough battle but I ended up winning two out of three games against Riley.

Early afternoon I came back to Lakewood with Bridget and Riley for Riley’s evening baseball game. This was my first grandson baseball game. Riley did a good job, but the team they played was a notch above them in their hitting and skill level. One of the highlights of the game was the double rainbow that showed up after some sprinkles of rain.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… Even if the fig tree does not bloom and the vines have no grapes, even if the olive tree fails to produce and the fields yield no food, even if the sheep pen is empty and the stalls have no cattle—even then, I will be happy with the Lord. I will truly find joy in God, who saves me. The Lord Almighty is my strength. He makes my feet like those of a deer. He makes me walk on the mountains.       Hab. 3:17-19

This verse from the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk is a favorite of mine. It communicates an unconditional commitment to the Lord and an understanding that even in the most difficult of times that the Lord is for us and is the source of hope and strength that we need.

This verse reminds me of the resolve of Job when he said, “though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” What is important for us to remember is that Job made this statement when he was in the midst of the trial of his faith. In the same way, the prophet Habakkuk knew that the day was coming when the fig tree would not bloom and the vines would have no grapes, when the crops would fail and the sheep and cattle stalls would be empty. This was not a theoretical faith. This was a declaration of trust and confidence in the midst of the test and trial and coming judgment.

When I reflect on these verses it is a challenge as to what my “even if…” and “even then…” would be. With the challenge of and length of my health crisis, I wonder “what if the prognosis wasn’t as positive as it has been.” I can still in the  midst of recovery find myself concerned about the fullness of my recovery, even though I am confidently expecting it to be full and complete. But what if it isn’t? Will I be an “even then…” believer?

The point is, I don’t want my faith in the Lord and the source of strength for living to be found anywhere but in the Lord. So my desire is for my “even if…” to be open ended; and that my “even then…” will find me joyful in the Lord and trusting in the strength that He alone can give.