Let’s see now, what do we have to be anxious about? The economy is in the tank. My retirement funds are worth 30% less than they were last year. Congress doesn’t have a clue what to do about it. The current administration has a clue but can’t find it. The new administration can find the clue but isn’t in office. Racist hate mongers have captured the imagination of a news media bored without an election to cover. Our two lovely little wars seem to be stalemated. Violence in Africa threatens peace everywhere. We owe our soul to China. Russia doesn’t love us and France does. We are addicted to Corporate Socialism but scared to death at the thought that government might help the little people. Maybe we could gain relief from Habakkuk. You think?
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. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and makes me tread upon the heights. (Hab 3.17-19)
great posts!Bruno
Thanks Bruno
i love habbakkuk…not sure i can spell it, but i love it! thank you.
There was a song in one of the Presbyterian songbooks based on the verses you quoted. I always had a hard time singing that one with sincerity. I\’m hoping \”grace will lead me home.\”I agree with your assessments. I can claim a much larger percentage decrease in retirement funds. I keep thinking that we have found the bottom of the market, but we haven\’t gotten there yet. \”The world\” appears to be going to hell in a hand basket, just as it was during the times of Habakkuk.Looking closer to home, I see a lot of wonderful things happening. I have a client who is pleased to pay me a few bucks to fix a few things and help productivity. M and I attended a dinner on Monday night to exhibit a Christian ministry that has 50 to 150 kids participating in it on a regular basis. It appears to be a ministry of acceptance and inclusion. People generously gave money to continue the program. I attended a luncheon today of people who personally meet with kids to encourage them to complete high school in spite of the challenges of their circumstances. I see miraculous cures and care being provided to the sick and the hurt right here in my community.I don\’t know if I could follow that example of Habakkuk. If the stalls, fields, and cupboard were bare, it would be tough to rejoice in the Lord. The figurative flocks, vines, and stables are not doing as well as they were, but in my little part of the world, they are quite ample. In that abundance, and in the good I see, I will try to rejoice.
Such great comments – the portfolio thing gives me a creepy feeling but I\’m still writing checks to the Christian Aid Center and others like the portfolio is good and healthy. What else should we do? Geezer\’s remarks about seeing that good things still abound all around us is so right on – or is that spot on – ? Is he a Brit? Anyway, I thought this was a great post! Even if that prophet\’s name is probably THE only word I\’ve ever come across that I couldn\’t really spell correctly with regularity.
I am glad to know you are keeping up with the daily office.Peace,C+
Thank you all very much, and yes, Chris, the Daily Office is my morning habit. Can\’t seem to get the day started without it. CP