Though my investments should not bear interest and there be no funds in my IRA, though the yield of the market should fail and the mutuals produce no funds, though I should be laid off from work and there be no gas in the car, yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He is my security; He is my success. (personal paraphrase of Habakkuk 3:17-19)

I think God is up to something. Could it be much the same as He said to Habakkuk?

Look among the nations! Observe!
Be astonished! Wonder!
Because I am doing something in your days—
You would not believe if you were told (Hab. 1:5).

This past week as I sat reading God’s Word, praying and thinking about the things of the Lord and the troubled economic times we are in, I was filled with a compelling urge to preach on Habakkuk.

Though I’ve been teaching through the book of Acts on Sundays for awhile now, I was unable to put aside the idea of speaking a word from God’s Word to the people to help us get our heads on straight about life, especially in tough times. God is in control, and we should cling to Him even though all else might fail.

The message of Habakkuk is very simple. God was planning to use a wicked nation to punish Judah because of the deep sinfulness of the people of Judah. Habakkuk (whose name means “cling”) got the message and waited for the impending doom.

While he waited, he reiterated his resolve that though all the normal worldly evidences of security and prosperity should fail, he would still cling to God. Why? Because God was his strength.

God was his security. Watch the deer as it runs through the forest, with feet that never falter and never stumble. Every step is secure.

God was his success. "He . . . makes me walk on my high places" (Hab. 3:19). Watch the victorious military leader climb to a high place and parade before his troops as they cheer his successful victory.

The simple message is this: Take the long look; gain an eternal perspective.

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea (Hab. 2:14).

It hasn't happened yet, but it will. You have God's Word on it.