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Have faith in God-- He knows what He's doing
Have faith in God-He knows what He's doing
Habakkuk

-The book is a mere 3 chapters long.
-A few people have told me that it's one of the favourite of the Bible books
-We don't know much about Habakkuk- other than he was a prophet of God - serving probably about 25-30 years before the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C
-Habakkuk most likely lived in Jerusalem
-His name means "The embracer"

The Book is built on 2 complaints of Habakkuk, followed by 2 answers from God and concludes with a hymn of praise to God and a very well known declaration of faith in God that we need to "own".

For today's study, we will follow the structure of the Book


HABAKKUK'S FIRST COMPLAINT -- Habakkuk 1:2-4

Why aren't you doing anything about the wicked behavior of the people around me?

Why does it appear that you are ignoring my prayers?

Where's your justice?

Why are you taking so long to act?

The scene

-Habakkuk is deeply distressed by the evil behavior of Jerusalem and Judah and the corruption of her officials and the justice system
-For some time Habakkuk had been crying out to God about the situation-- but to him it seemed like such was in vain, for it appeared that God was not listening-- things only got worse.

Observations

1. To our eyes it sometimes seems that God lets people get away with evil. HE DOESN'T
2. Sometimes it seems to us that God is too slow in responding to injustice or coming to the aid of the righteous. HE IS NOT SLOW AS SOME THINK. HE IS PATIENT, NOT WANTING ANY TO PERISH BUT ALL TO COME TO ETERNAL LIFE
3. It is fitting for the saints of God to be distressed by the wickedness and injustice that we see around us. Such was true of Lot - the one who lived in the city of Sodom. 2 Peter 2:8 says; "Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day"
4. God is a God of justice. Psalm 89:14 speaks of righteousness and justice being the foundation of God's throne

GOD ANSWERS HABAKKUK-- Habakkuk 1:5-11

"I am doing something. I am at work"

"You are going to shocked by what I do" v.5

"I've heard your prayers"

"I am raising up the Babylonians and they will come and put an end to the wicked behavior of my people"

Aside: The Babylonians rose from relative obscurity in record time and dissappeared almost just as quickly (Conquered Assryia and Nineveh 614-612. Conquered Egypt in 605. Exile Judah and Jerusalem in 586. Fell in one night in 539 to Cyrus of Persia)

Application

1. While you and I might not always be able to discern what God is doing, God has a plan and He's always working on it
2. The way that God works is not always going to be in the way that we expect
3. God hears our prayers. Cast all your cares upon Him, for he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7


HABAKKUK'S SECOND COMPLAINT 1:12-2:1

When God warned Habakkuk that His response to the evil of His people would shock him, He was right.

Note the shock of Habakkuk in 1:12

"You, LORD, have appointed them to execute judgment??????????

You my Rock have ordained them to punish???????

The Babylonians are an incredibly wicked group of people and you're going to use them to punish us????


Does it surprise you that God uses evil people to accomplish His purposes?

It shouldn't. Consider Acts 2:22-24 which says; "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,d put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him."

Also, God using evil people doesn't make God evil. God is perfect, pure, and holy. He never condones wicked behavior and is always opposed to it. Yet, in the mystery of his ways, He can take ones who are in rebellion against Him and someone work it, that they end up being used to accomplish good.

God's activity and the mystery that sometimes attends it, reminds me of Isaiah 55:8-9, which says; "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

GOD ANSWERS HABAKKUK FOR A SECOND TIME Habakkuk 2:2-17

-The Babylonians will get there due. I know that they are wicked. Babylon will be punished for her sins.
-Justice will be done
-I'm going to act in such a way that all will know that there is one true God who is worthy of worship and praise. See Habakkuk 2:14 "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD,"

Other notables

a. Habakkuk 2:4 "the righteous will live by his faith"

When Luther encountered this in the Book of Galatians it changed his life and was instrumental in the Protestant Reformation

b. Habakkuk 2:2-3 "Though it linger, wait for it; it will will certainly come and not delay"

Note this: God guarantees that His word will come to pass. READ Habakkuk 2:2-3

POINT: WE NEED TO BE PATIENT AS WE WAIT FOR THE PROMISES OF GOD TO UNFOLD

Such reminds me of Isaiah 40:31 which says; "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

HABAKKUK 3:

HABAKKUK EMBRACES THE PLAN OF GOD AND MAKES ONE OF THE GREAT DECLARATIONS OF FAITH FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURES

Habakkuk 3 is a really neat passage of Scripture for a number of reasons

1. It portrays God as a DIVINE WARRIOR and king fighting on behalf of His people and easily triumphing over all who stand opposed to Him

Embedded in the imagery are a multitude of references to God's miracles on behalf of his people over the centuries

Interesting: God fights on behalf of His people. HE IS OUR CHAMPION

2. It shows Habakkuk as not complaining anymore about the way God was running the world

That's kind of important for us to note

3. It shows Habakkuk EMBRACING the plan of God with the utmost confidence and FAITH, sure that everything will work out for the good of those who love Him.

Read Habakkuk 3:16-19-- one of the Bible's great declarations of faith

A couple of things

a. Habakkuk did what his name meant. Habakkuk's name means "The embracer". Habakkuk, after airing his concerns, fears, and complaints comes to a place of complete acceptance of God's plan, embracing the will of God/taking hold of it
b. Habakkuk came to a position that we need to come to: Having faith in God, not because circumstances are good, but because of who God was- being confident that everything will work out for the good of those who love Him

Such reminds me of Job's great declaration of faith "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him" Job 13:15

CONCLUSION

HAVE FAITH IN GOD. HE KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING

STAY FAITHFUL AND TRUST HIM

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6