Even if the fig tree may not blossom, I will rejoice in the Lord

It is said that difficult times we all have, but I add that not all of us know how to content ourselves in these terrible situations. I have always said that difficult moments are those that help us to mature our faith, they are painful, but they always have a way out, at God’s time, not ours. In the most difficult trial we must ask God to teach us to trust in Him with all our heart.

Many men in the Bible professed this unshakeable faith, of believing in God at the worst moment. Many of them felt weak at one time, but their faith was greater than human weakness. In the Bible we have great stories, for example: Three young people who preferred to be thrown into a furnace of fire for being faithful to God. On the other hand, we have the famous story of David, who did not measure the size of his enemy, but wanted to demonstrate to the whole world how great God is.

Throughout Scripture, we see that faith does not grow in comfort. Faith grows in conflict, in silence, in uncertainty, in nights where the answer seems delayed. It is in those moments when God teaches us to lean on Him fully, when our own strength runs out and His strength becomes our refuge. Every believer sooner or later experiences these situations, and although they feel overwhelming, they are never purposeless. God uses them to shape our character, deepen our trust, and remind us that He is the only sure foundation.

We have a man of God who said some very profound words and that can help us in difficult times to increase our faith:

17 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—

18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Habakkuk 3:17-18

Powerful statement! This person is saying that even if food is lacking, even if your business falls, even if all kinds of evils happen to you, no matter what, you will feel joy in God. This is the same attitude that we as servants of God must show in the storms that life presents to us.

Habakkuk lived in one of the most distressing moments of the nation. Everything around him was collapsing: injustice everywhere, suffering increasing, and no immediate answer from heaven. Yet, instead of allowing circumstances to dictate his faith, he decided to lift his eyes above the crisis and remember who God is. His joy did not depend on vines, fields, animals, crops, or situations. His joy depended on the God of his salvation.

This is a deep and mature faith. It is not the faith that rejoices only when everything goes well. It is the faith that sings even when there is silence, that trusts even when there is no visible path, that remains standing even when everything seems lost. The faith that embraces God above all earthly security.

Many times, our trials confuse us. We ask God: “Why is this happening?” or “Why now?” But trials often reveal the true strength of our faith. When everything is fine, trusting is easy. But when the fig tree does not blossom, when the olive fails, when the field yields no food—there our heart is tested. Will we still rejoice in the Lord?

The joy of salvation should not be lost in these moments. Salvation is our anchor, the unchanging truth that Christ has redeemed us, loves us, and sustains us. Even if everything around us shakes, salvation remains firm. And that is why we can rejoice. Not because of what we see, but because of what we know: God is faithful.

Let us persevere, trust in God with all our heart, and say together with the prophet Habakkuk: “Even if the fig tree does not bear fruit, I will rejoice in the Lord.” This is not denial of reality—this is declaring that God is above reality. This is faith that shines brightest in darkness. May this truth strengthen you today and in every trial you face.