Disaster is nothing new. All through the Bible, we can see trouble and tribulation, but saints of old had to stand on HOPE just as believers do today. Biblical hope means to be patient, trust, and anticipate that the Lord is true to His promises! We and all our brothers and sisters who are experiencing turmoil must study what Habakkuk declares in verses 3:17-19:

Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.

These are powerful words for us to live by! So many have had most everything taken from them, through natural disasters, wars, or from other hardships. Habakkuk is saying that followers of Jesus have hope and can say “He will make me walk on my high hills” or “He is my fortress and strength, and I shall recover all!”

Sad to say the unbeliever cannot say that. They have no hope or spiritual help except the devil, and he is the one that brought it all on. Our God is good but the devil is bad and comes only to kill, steal and destroy!

We are also told in Romans 12:12 “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.”

Why pray if we do not expect!! Rejoice means to be joyful which brings peace knowing our Lord will bring us through it ALL! “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)

We need to rise in our hope not only for ourselves but for those around us, showing them our hope is based on the finished work of the Cross and the resurrection of Jesus. We shall prevail because we belong to Jesus, and He never fails!