Life's Disappointments

This week some verses from the prophet Habakkuk touched my heart.  Habakkuk didn't understand why God let the wicked in Israel prosper.  He questioned God and cried out to him.  God answered saying he would send a nation more evil then they to punish them.  Habakkuk again questions God, "Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous then themselves?(1:13b)"  Habakkuk was enduring difficult times.  He didn't understand God's way and God's purposes.  He had to feel disappointment.  However, in the end he offers up to God a prayer of full faith in His sovereignty despite the circumstances.  When I read the last few verses of the book, tears ran down my face and God gave me a new prayer. 

Disappointment followed disappointment.
Discouragement settled in.
Depression hovered on the outskirts.

Questions filled my mind.
Sorrow flooded my soul.
Tears poured from my heart.

Why, Lord?
I thought these were your plans.
How come?

I didn't understand.
I was hurt.
I was angry.

Time helped.
Friends encouraged.
God healed.

Looking back
I'm learning to accept
Disappointment as His appointment.

God is sovereign.
God reigns.
God rules.

My desire,
My prayer,
My song--the words of the prophet Habakkuk.

"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,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights."  Hab. 3:17-19

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