“Why do you show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; there is strife, and contention arises.”
Hab. 1:3
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Highlights of Habakkuk
These are the spiritual insights of Habakkuk that break through the dark and turbulent clouds of confusion and doubt, like glorious sunshine after the storm. As the prophet wrestles with issues of life and death, with doubts and questions, he gains seven insights into the working of God.
It is worth noting that all but one use the covenant name of God—Yahweh. And the one that doesn’t, directs us to rest our faith on Him.
The safest refuge for our souls, when nothing seems to make sense, is to take shelter in the essence and character of God.
Habakkuk 1:12 “Are You not from everlasting, O Lord my God, My Holy One? We shall not die. O Lord, You have appointed them for judgment; O Rock, You have marked them for correction.”
Only an omniscient and omnipotent God can deal with the wicked. The daily task of the believer is to live today by faith.
Habakkuk 2:4 “Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith.”
The only anchor for our souls, in the shifting ebb and flow of time, is the sure and safe harbor of eternity.
Habakkuk 2:14 “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”
We need to withdraw our souls from the clamor and questions of men, to gaze on Christ seated at God’s right hand.
Habakkuk 2:20 “But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silent before Him.”
When the Word of God shakes our very souls, it is good to be reminded of His purpose, which He is working out through history.
Habakkuk 3:2 “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.”
Amid the chaos of natural disasters, so called “acts of God,” never forget that attention is being directed to Jesus Christ, and souls are being saved by means of them.
Habakkuk 3:8, 13 “O Lord, were You displeased with the rivers, was Your anger against the rivers, was Your wrath against the sea, that You rode on Your horses, Your chariots of salvation? … You went forth for the salvation of Your people, for salvation with Your Anointed. You struck the head from the house of the wicked, by laying bare from foundation to neck. Selah.”
This humble priest/poet/singer, facing peril and famine, writes the most eloquent statement of faith found in Scripture—to be sung in the coming collapse of the nation!
Habakkuk 3:17–19 “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the field yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls—Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills … To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.”
Summary of Habakkuk
- Because God is holy, He must judge evil. Because He is faithful, He works all things for the good of His people (Hab. 1:13; Gen. 50:20; Zeph. 3:5; Rom. 8:28).
- God delays His act of judgment, called “His unusual [strange] act” (Isa. 28:21), because He desires that all men might come to saving faith (Hab.2:4; Ezek. 33:11; 1 Tim. 2:3–6; 2 Pet. 3:8–9).
- Genuine and mature faith looks away from the chaos of the present time to the promise of His future kingdom (Hab. 2:14; John 14:1–3; Rom. 8:21–23; 2 Cor. 4:17–18).
- It is good to let God be God, and to rest in His wisdom, authority, and power (Hab. 2:20; Zeph. 1:7; Matt. 28:18; Jude 24–25).
- All the forces of nature and of history are obeying the hand of God to bring as many souls as possible into the fold of the redeemed (Hab. 3:2; John 10:7–11; Rom. 3:23–24).
- When God seems to be shaking Heaven and Earth, remember that the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are waging a spiritual war for the souls of men, women, and children (Hab. 3:8, 13; Isa. 3:10; Nah. 1:7; Zeph. 2:3; Rev. 5:5).
- When we can rest in faith, regardless of external circumstances, we have come to the status of a “hero of the faith” (Hab. 3:17–19; Job 13:15; 19:25–27; Isa. 40:31; Lam. 3:21–27; Phil. 4:11–13).
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Gene Cunningham - September 24, 2010
The Spirit as Oil- fruit bearing.
The Holy Spirit will do His job as we let Him.
mat 11:28-30 The world instinctively know to expect evidence of Christ in our life. They expect to see trust in trial, to see peace, poise, and rest in trial. They expect to see forgiveness. joh 13:35
Rom 5:1 The yoke was used as a term for school, to become a disciple. Jesus wants to be the One we learn from. He speaks through His indwelling Spirit. Eph 4:20-21 It is Jesus who is ultimately your teacher. The first rest is a gift, the second is a discovery. When we have His yoke, we have Someone beside us. It's a call to supernatural accomplishment.
Prayer is our declaration to God that we are going to trust Him to do what He said He would do and then rest in it.
Joh 14:25-31 joh 15:1-10 In the Old Testament Israel is called the useless, fruitless vine. Isa 5:1-4 Has the Lord wondered this of us too? What has He failed to provide for us? In v. 2, the verb used means "to lift up." The first thing God does to a non-fruitful life, is lift it up by His Spirit and Word. He encourages and comforts. The fruitful branch He prunes to it will bear more fruit. joh 8:32-36 Abiding in His Word is abiding in Christ. Why do we try so hard to do something we cannot do? We need to stop trying and start relying. Rom 7:15-17 Unbelievers dismiss believers who don't act on their faith. mat 5:13 Heb 12:29 1co 3:10-15 1jo 2:15-17
Scripture References: Ephesians 4:20-21, Matthew 5:13, Romans 5:1, Romans 7:15-17, John 13:35, John 8:32-36, Matthew 11:28-30, Isaiah 5:1-4, John 15:1-10, John 2:15-17, John 14:25-31, Hebrews 12:29
From Series: "Ride with the Wind - A Study of the Holy Spirit - Texas 2010"
The class titles for the Texas 2010 conference are as follows. 1. Oct 1 Prototype of the Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ Himself. Luke 3 4 2. Oct 1 The Spirit as Wind- regeneration. John 3 3. Oct 2 The Spirit as Wind- regeneration contd. John 3 4. Oct 2 The Spirit as Water- cleansing and refreshing. John 13 5. Oct 2 The Spirit as Fire- Illumination. John 14:15-21 Eph 1:15-18 6. Oct 2 The Spirit as Oil- fruit bearing. John 15 7. Oct 3 The Spirit as Dove- teacher and encourager. John 15:26-27 Mat 10 John 16:7-14; 2Co 5