Many of my friends, associates, and church family are dealing with a lot of difficult things recently. I've been asked to pray about marriage problems, wayward children, financial struggles, terminal illness, and more. I've prayed with them and cried with them.

But I also wonder what to say to them. Sometimes there's just nothing that can be said. No platitudes. No trite sayings.

This morning in my quiet time I read this passage from Habakkuk.

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.  Habakkuk 3:17-19

Even if there is no money in the bank, even if there is no food in the pantry, even if my health has failed, even if my spouse is gone, even if my strength is spent, even if, even if...

Still I will praise Him. Still will I rejoice in the LORD for He is the Sovereign One. He is the One who gives me strength. Yet, I will praise Him.