Let God be your strength

"Though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit is on the vines; though the produce of the olive fails and the fields yield no food; though the flock is cut off from the fold and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will exult in the God of my salvation." Habakkuh 3:17-19

     Dear friends, I am not alone in my concerns for your welfare. People around the world are watching events unfold in Zimbabwe. Your country is making international front-page news, as the ruling party militia prepares to force farmers to vacate their land or face arrest and jail terms. People from many countries know millions in Zimbabwe face the threat of starvation, while your government is throwing farmers off the land and refusing much donated foreign aid offered to feed the hungry.

     Black and White Zimbabweans need divine wisdom for the healing of your beloved nation. Let God be your strength in the midst of Zimbabwe's pain and chaos. God can help.

     Today's bible verses can empower and encourage Zimbabweans to trust God when crops fail; cattle are decimated, while living in a collapsing economy in the midst of famine through the example of Habakkuk.

     Everywhere he looked, the wise prophet saw only strife and conflict in his beloved Israel. The people in power practiced a scorched earth policy, ruining the land with violence and the destruction of crops and animals. Truly, God seemed silent in the chaos of the land.

     Habakkuk was not afraid to ask God how long his country would suffer. The prophet knew God cared deeply about his human misery and discouragement. His brutal honesty with God gave Habakkuk the courage he needed to survive and overcome overwhelming obstacles, while encouraging his people to keep faith in God and their country.

     Through times of danger and suffering, God was his strength and confidence. As a result, Habakkuk never lost hope. He knew God was at work in his beloved country, even when he could not see through all the bloodshed and wholesale destruction.

     May the God of Habakkuk bless and strengthen your faith. Let God strengthen you in adversity and prosperity. Praise God in your difficulties and trust God for the impossible. Pray for your enemies, loved ones and even your government. Remember to pray for the countries attempting to bring aid into Zimbabwe.

     God is actively at work in your beloved country.

     Prayer: O God, hear our prayers for Zimbabwe's healing. Give us the faith, resolve, courage and inspiration of Habakkuk. Help us be joyful in faith, patient in suffering, and hopeful in all things. Be our strength in adversity and prosperity. Amen.

Written by Rev. Dr. Sandy Bochonok
http://soulfoodministry.org
August 8, 2002
Permission is given to freely distribute and share this reflection with the people of Zimbabwe.