Though the Fig Tree Should not Blossom
by Sharon W. Betters
TODAY’S TREASURE
Hannah’s countenance changed through her lament:
Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
1 Samuel 1:18 ESV
God moved in her pain and turned her heart toward His presence and grace. Hannah left this intimate time with her God, refueled and energized to face Peninnah and another year of waiting on Him.
In my own personal periods of lament, God spoke to me through His Word, reminding me of His past faithfulness and that I could trust Him in this dark grief. Relief from grief did not always follow such lamenting, but I knew that His Word was my only hope. Lamenting did not always change my countenance but resulted in exhausted surrender to God’s love where I received enough hope for the next moments.
Hannah is not alone as an example of lamenting before the Lord and experiencing transformation. The prophet Habbakuk is one of many others who did not hesitate to cry out to God in the middle of seeming injustice and cultural chaos:
Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.
Habbakuk 1:3-4
Habbakuk wrestled with God, trying to understand how his country could be so broken when it belonged to God. Read this small book to see Habakkuk’s wrestling match with God that resulted with this declaration:
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
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Do you feel hopeless, incapable of tolerating any more pain, torment, betrayal, or disappointing news? God invites your questions and doubts. Take some time away from the distractions of your daily life and ask the Holy Spirit to open your mind and heart to God’s truth. Write out your fears and cry out to God for answers. Ask God to remind you of His past faithfulness, writing out a list of tangible blessings. Now make a list of what torments and discourages you.
Over each broken place, with your will, choose to worship God with words similar to Habakkuk’s prayer:
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Though_______________(the diagnosis is terminal, my husband has left me, I lost my job, my child refuses to let me see my grandchildren, etc.) yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”
Do this exercise with your will; don’t wait for your emotions to align with your worship.
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Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.