Habakkuk is considered one of the Minor Prophets. Not because his life was of minor importance, as we can learn so much from him, but minor simply means that the book of Habakkuk is only 3 chapters long. I’m thinking Habakkuk probably lived in the same time frame of the prophet Jeremiah, because Habakkuk’s original audience were the people of Judah-the Southern kingdom. The setting was right before Babylon became the dominant world power. Judah would very soon feel Babylon’s destructive force.
“How long, O lord, must I call for help?” But you do not listen. “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence.” Habakkuk 1: 1-3
Sound familiar (it may be our jobs, our health, the economy, and a million other things)? While other prophetic books bring God’s Words to the people, the book of Habakkuk brings people’s questions to God. Saddened by violence and corruption all around him, Habakkuk poured his heart out to God. Well God answered- He stated that He was about to do some amazing things that would astonish Habakkuk…
“Look around at the nations; look and be amazed. For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it. I am raising up the Babylonians, a cruel and violent people. They will march across the world and conquer other lands. They are notorious for their cruelty and do whatever they like.” Habakkuk 1: 5-7
Go to your Bibles and read the rest of Chapter One (It’s exciting!). God told him that the punishment for Judah’s wickedness would be at the hands of the Babylonians. Habakkuk got his answer, but was appalled that God would use a nation even more wicked than Judah to punish it. The Babylonians didn’t know they were being used by God to help Judah return to Him, and Babylon’s pride (Remember King Nebby, and our study on the book of Daniel?) in its victories would be its downfall.
So again here lies the question, the same question that’s relevant to us today… How do you face the future with joy when you know the horrors of your future? There are three things to do, and we see them done in the book of Habakkuk… (1) Pray – Be honest with God. He knows your thoughts anyway. Take your eyes off your problems and put them on God. Submit to His will. Here’s some encouragement from Chapter 2…
“For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the Lord.” (In other words, a better day will come. Ultimately God will triumph.)
Get to the place where you can say, “You’re will be done. Whatever happens, you’ll give me the grace.” That’s the issue. (2) Remember God’s work in the past. That’s exactly what Habakkuk does – in verses 3-15 of Chapter 3, he rehearses past deliverances with Israel. God was mighty in the past, and that is the foundation .
“O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!” Jeremiah 32: 17
Rehearse the past. Think of how he delivered you in the past. Recapture the view of a sovereign God. When your God is big, your problems seem little. And vice versa!
(3) Trust of God’s provision in the future; there’s nothing like complete trust in God’s Word. The people of Israel had to learn that trusting God meant radically realigning their purposes and desires with His. God gave them “one heart” toward Him. God also created us with “one heart” towards Him. I guess the next question is, have you developed such singleness of heart and action to love God above anything else?
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6 thoughts and/or comments:
That is a tough question because it involves us, once again, the ability to look to what really matters. That is a relationship with God.
That statement sounds so callous and insensitive. Please understand, if you have something in mind that is causing pain, I don't know what it is. So, my answer to your question is kind of canned.
We pray for those times when we hurt, that God would remove the hurt. What ever the situation, be it another person's personal decission or another person's health or our personal decissions or our health, we have but one clear choice. That is to accept that we can not define God as to what His decissions are or what the outcome for another person will be regarding God's choices.
I think of Steven Curtis Chapman. Having lost his little girl in an accident involving another one of his children, how can he go on?
His music lends us insight to what he believs. He has a song that discusses a child's death being untimely. And, he says, 'we can say good bye with hope'.
Your question is difficult. I can only know what I must be able to do in those moments when I feel discouraged or hurt. I can say I don't have to continue trusting God. But, I know that is foolishness and a detriment to my eternal relationship with God and all who have entered my life.
Hi jeleasure,
This is a really good comment. By saying a relationship with God is what really matters is "right on" with everyone who knows God, but yes, it does sound callous and insensitive to those who have a different mind...very sad.
Steven Curtis Chapman is someone who knows this truth. I also think of the song, "Praise You in The Storm" by Casting Crowns...
"You are who You are... no matter where I am"
Thanks for your comment. God bless, and Happy New Year!
As I was saying in my latest entry, a year is just too much to have somebody's faith to be shaken. Any time of the day, something can happen that can change our relationship with God. I experienced a lot of trials last year, my 2009 was full of trials. But praise God it ended just the way I want it to end, I still trust Him and I still have faith. The trials that came in my life actually strengthen my relationship with HIM. I cried so much last year but I am thankful that His love pushes me to praise HIm more.
Happy New Year Lori!
I love you and GOd bless you more and your hubby.
Hi Paige,
You said something very profound..."I am thankful that His love pushes me to praise Him more."
When we're in the midst of a trial(s), we can't see it. But that's EXACTLY how our faith and character gets strong! Excellent comment, thanks and God bless!
Hi Lori. Greetings in Jesus Christ. I found your site on Tamela's place and wanted to tell you how much I like your choice of life verse. That one has been a comfort to me, too. Blessings.
Hi Andrew, great to meet you! Yeah,
keeping your eyes open and thoughts open (Isaiah 26:3) is the key. Thanks for stopping by. God bless!
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