Homilist Habakkuk 3:17-18 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail… I. THE DIVINE RULE IS TO MAKE AN ABUNDANT PROVISION FOR MAN'S PHYSICAL WANTS. The Great Creator gives him the fig tree, the vine, the olive, the fields, the flock, and the herd. Observe — 1. The vastness of God's wealth. 2. His supreme regard for man's comfort. II. THE GOOD MAN RECOGNISES THE POSSIBILITY OF A TOTAL FAILURE IN THIS PROVISION. "Although the fig tree," etc. Such a failure is fearful to contemplate. III. THAT IN THE VERY FACE OF THIS GREAT CALAMITY THE GOOD MAN TRIUMPHANTLY CONFIDES IN GOD. "Yet will I rejoice in the Lord." The wisdom of this conduct is seen in two things — 1. In the Divine immutability. 2. Great calamities afford scope for the development of great principles.Trials, if very heavy, kill little men, but make great ones. Just as an Altantic billow bears the reeling ship aloft, so does the mighty wave of trouble lift to notice a true son of God. Trials strengthen and develop love and faith. IV. THAT THIS SUBLIME CONFIDENCE IS EXERCISED BY THE GOOD MAN BECAUSE HE HAS EXPERIENCED A GREAT DELIVERANCE. "I will joy in the God of my salvation." 1. This is a deliverance from the greatest evil. 2. This is a deliverance to the possession of the greatest good.This man has in him the elements of immortality. He is a King's son, and an heir of heaven. Heaven is his future residence, and the universe his estate. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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: |
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