SOME MORE HABAKKUK 

Bill Fitzhenry's Thoughts For Today…

Understanding important truths from the Bible…. 

Habakkuk 3:17-19 KJV

¹⁷ 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:

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

¹⁹ The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments. 

Habakkuk has asked the question that troubles him in 1:13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?   The only answer he gets is in 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.   But how does Habakkuk respond to God’s answer.  His response is found in the following:

1. His confession is in 2:20 NKJ “But the Lord is in His holy temple.
   Let all the earth keep silence before Him.”  A discerning look at this confession will find it to be the ultimate in faith.  “The Lord is”.  The writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 11:6 states this as the single access to God.  “For whoever comes to God must believe that He is”.  This is the “I am” of Moses and the “I am the Alpha and Omega” of John the Revelator.  Habakkuk has stepped away from his whining into the faith of heroes.
2. His prayer is stated in 3:2 NKJ  O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid;
   O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years!  In the midst of the years make it known;  In wrath remember mercy.  Habakkuk has two requests.
1. “Lord I trust you and only ask that you do your will.  I submit to that”.  Habakkuk has accepted the work of his day as God’s will.  That is enough.
2. “Lord, reveal what you’re doing so your people can know your intent for you glory is for their good”.  The availability and clarity of God’s revelation is one of the treasures of the church.  What should our reply to that be?  To read it, obey it, and be thankful for it.
3.  “Lord, no matter how terrifying the day of the Lord is I am committed to believe that your justice in this day will prevail.  Those who think they have the victory over your church will fail and face your unswerving justice”  3:16 NKJ.  There is no victory over the church.  As the grave could not hold Jesus, nothing can prevail against the church.  We are our own worst enemy.  When once again that is realized, reformation will come.  Quietly wait, watch, and pray.  There is trouble appointed for those who trouble the church. 

Habakkuk’s testimony in 3:17-19 is a high point in the Old Testament.  There is no Psalm or other statement that is more to faith and with pure emotion than here in Habakkuk.  As I read this I could no longer doubt the greatness of this prophet.  Somewhere, sometimes, and by someone this was dedicated to the Psalmody of Israel.  I wish I knew how to sing it.  Material prosperity cannot affect the joy of the believer’s salvation.  Habakkuk 3:17-18 KJV ¹⁷ 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:

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