I Hear and I Tremble Within

Text: Habakkuk 3:1-10

Reflection and Question: This prayer is attributed to Habakkuk, who witnessed Babylon’s triumph over Jerusalem and the forced exile of the Judeans from the Promised Land. In the face of that defeat, the prophet exalts the power of God and pledges to rejoice in God no matter how calamitous or difficult life may become. This is a statement of profound faith that can teach us how to pray in our time and place as well: “O God, I stand in awe of Your work. In our own time make it known; in wrath may You remember mercy.” When in your life might this have been your heartfelt prayer?

Prayer: Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen,
Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat field stunted,
Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty,
I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of praise to my Savior God.
(Eugene Peterson, The Message, p. 1699)

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).