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1. The sombre background from which the joy of the prophet sprang.

2. The sublime height to which the joy of the prophet leaped. Habakkuk supposes the loss of all things, and yet he had unwavering faith in God, and supreme love to God.

(1)  We may rejoice in the works of God's hand.

(2)  In the bounties of His providence.

(3)  In the amenities of society.But the highest joy we can know is to "joy in the Lord." His loving-kindness is better than life.

(Homilist.)

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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:

WEB: For though the fig tree doesn't flourish, nor fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive fails, the fields yield no food; the flocks are cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls: