Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls—yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills. Habakkuk 3:17–19 NKJV
Habakkuk began this book with a heart full of sorrow, but now he ends it on a high note with a song! He was confused with what God was doing and concerned for the judgment that was about to fall on his people. He begins by pondering the ways of God, but now finds himself praising God. What made the difference? In chapter 2, Habakkuk began to be occupied with the glory of God, tracing the ways of God with His people from Sinai to Egypt, through the Red Sea, and into the promised land. Now, as he concludes his contemplation, he confesses that, no matter what happens, he would trust God!
Habakkuk realizes that, by the time Babylon was through the land and judgment had fallen, there might not be much left (2:17). But he also realized that, no matter what happened, God would still be on the throne! He could rejoice because the Lord God was his strength and his song! His lips might have been trembling and his legs might have been shaking (3:16), but his heart began to sing! With all that Habakkuk had been told was about to happen, most people would have sat down and wept, but he was ready to scale a mountain!
The Lord can give songs in the darkest night (Job 35:10). As we are occupied with His lovingkindness during the day, His song shall be with us during the night (Ps. 42:8). Habakkuk had that experience as he rejoiced in his God, who was his salvation and strength.