Habakkuk cried out to the Lord, “Violence!” Strife and conflict was abounding! He said to the Lord, “The law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.” [1]
The Lord’s response was. “I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwellings not their own. They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor.” [2]
Facing trouble from within and without, Habakkuk resolves, “The righteous person will live by faith.” [3] Faith in God!
God indicated to Habakkuk that woes were coming to...
“...Him who makes himself wealthy by extortion!”
“...Him who builds his house by unjust gain.”
“... Him who builds a city with bloodshed and injustice!”
“...Him who makes neighbors drunk to gaze on their naked bodies!”
“...Him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’ [worships idols] [4]
Habakkuk finds hope in the Lord. “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” “The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.” [5]
The tables will soon be turned. “Lord, I have heard of Your fame; I stand in awe of Your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known...” [6]
Habakkuk ends his book with a song of faith unto God: “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.” [7]
Habakkuk rejoiced while waiting. He metaphorically kept the umbrella close by while praying for rain. He handed his prayer of faith over to the director of music to make it into a song. [8]
So, let us bring out the musical instruments and write songs of faith in God. Let us praise God in the face of adversity. Praise Him joyfully. Celebrate the coming victory in advance!
[1] Habakkuk 1:2-4
[2] Habakkuk 1:1:6-7
[3] Habakkuk 2:4
[4] Habakkuk 2:6, 9, 12, 15, 19
[5] Habakkuk 2:14, 20
[6] Habakkuk 3:2
[7] Habakkuk 3:17-18
[8] Habakkuk 3:19
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