Habakkuk 3:17-18

Habakkuk 3:17-18

[17] Although the fig tree  shall not blossom,  neither shall fruit  be in the vines;  the labour  of the olive  shall fail,  and the fields  shall yield  no meat;  the flock  shall be cut off  from the fold,  and there shall be no herd  in the stalls:  [18] Yet I will rejoice  in the LORD,  I will joy  in the God  of my salvation. 

What does Habakkuk 3:17-18 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Even though everything would get worse in Judah, Habakkuk determined to praise Yahweh and to rejoice in the God who would save him (cf. Psalm 18:46; Psalm 25:5). The prophet pictured the worst of circumstances by using a variety of rural metaphors drawn from plant and animal life. Taken together they have the effect of saying that no matter what bad thing may happen, Habakkuk , and hopefully all Israel, would trust God. Even though the prophet felt weak physically, he was strong in faith spiritually. Thus he would live (cf. Habakkuk 2:4). Many of these bad conditions did mark Judah when the Babylonians overthrew the nation (cf. Lamentations 2:12; Lamentations 2:20; Lamentations 4:4; Lamentations 4:9-10; Lamentations 5:17-18).
"It is right and proper to voice appreciation of God"s goodness when he bestows all that is necessary for life, health, and prosperity. But when these things are lacking, to rejoice in God for his own sake is evidence of pure faith." [1]