Yet

Yet

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.

“I DON’T UNDERSTAND why God won’t answer my prayer,” a dear friend whispered one night as we sat on my front porch. “I’ve prayed for this relationship to be repaired for years, but nothing seems to change,” she confided as she wiped tears from her eyes.

“I’m sorry, friend,” I responded as I sat with her in her pain. I shared with her some of my own unspoken prayers, yet to be answered. She nodded, a shared understanding of the pain we both knew. As we ended the night, we prayed for one another.

“Thank you,” she said as we hugged and she put her coat on to leave.

“Of course,” I responded. “Anytime—this is what friends are for.”

The next morning she sent me Habakkuk 3:17-18, a reminder to rejoice, even as we wait. And this verse continued to challenge me the rest of the week. How do I hold on to hope in all of the unknowns of life? All of the unanswered prayers?

The more I ponder Habakkuk’s words, the more I believe the answer lies in our “yet.” Yet will I rejoice. Yet will I remember God is my Savior. Yet will I have hope.

Our yet doesn’t deny our pain or diminish our troubles. Just as we see in this passage of Scripture, we can and should acknowledge all that is hard. This isn’t a denial of all we are going through. This is simply reminding ourselves of who God is in the middle of hard circumstances or seasons. Yet we will remember who God is.

Lord, we pray for those of us who are in a hard spot, hanging onto our yet. May you encourage us today, as we cling to our hope in you. Amen.

-Kendra

One Good Step: Write down a prayer you have been waiting for God to answer, maybe even something you gave up on long ago. How can you hang on to your yet, even as you wait?