Lent Meditation: Day 2 - February 19, 2026

📖 Scripture Verse

“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 its fold, and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will exalt in the God of my salvation.” — Habakkuk 3:17-18

🕯️Meditation

The book of the prophet Habakkuk is short, just three chapters long.  The first two chapters are a back and forth between God and the prophet.  The prophet complains of the suffering of the people to God, who replies, not with a direct answer, but by asserting that he is working his purpose out in ways that cannot be clearly known. “For a work is being done in your days that you would not believe if you were told.” (1:5).  The book ends with the prophet’s prayer—having heard enough from God to have his trust in God affirmed and renewed, even though circumstances continue to be dire.  It can be so hard when life is troubling and things aren’t working out to trust and maintain hope.  Habakkuk looks at the land and the people and sees suffering, but finds a way to hold on to hope.  How? He has brought his complaint and concern and anguish to God in prayer over and over again, and had his faith stirred up through active engagement with God.  For us, prayers of lament, of complaint, of impatience—these are all good things to bring honestly to God.  Handing the true cares of our heart to God, even when his response is inscrutable, can renew in us faith, trust, and hope.

🙏 Prayer

O God who listens, help me to speak to you the true cares of my heart and my life, and share with you the real pain of my life. Answer me and help me to trust in your goodness even when I don’t understand.  Amen.

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