“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 20, 2003

Living by Faith Under Hostile Goverment #2

Daniel - Living by Faith under a Hostile Government - Florida 2009



What if you are in the worst of situations, alone, how would you meet those conditions and circumstances you’ll come across? 


Daniel and his friends had stored the Word in their heart, and leaned on each other too.


Having or using discernment is a great treasure.


DAN 1:1-21 Daniel purposed in his heart, took a stand.


 


-we need to see history and our time from God’s perspective DAN 1:1-4 Verse 1 is on a human plane, but verse 2 shows us God’s perspective. It is God who has allowed us to be where we are today, and He has a purpose for history. ROM 8:28 Look at the context. Why? How? When we can look at our time and know that God can work any situation for good, and we see our situation from God’s perspective we can make wise decisions


2CO 4:17-18


Build your life on the things that will never change, not the things that always change.


-Daniel’s discernment related to his decisions DAN 1:8-9 His decisions are based on discernment, and God is already there ahead of him making the way. Daniel and his friends were prospered more in their captivity than where they were before. If God wants to lift you up, no one can keep you down. It was Daniel’s captivity that made him have to go into his mind and soul for what he had stored there beforehand. Decision is the greatest power God has given us. Every decision is like a seed planted, wise decisions to blessing, poor decisions to cursing


 


-Lev 11:41-45 Dietary laws. Respond in wisdom instead of reaction to circumstances.


Dan 1:11-14 Daniel’s affect lasted even to when Jesus was born. His prophecy let the magi know that the Messiah had arrived. There may be times to proposing a possibility or alternative.


Rest in God’s placement of you wherever you are. He is wise, He knows where you are and what you need. He knows your doubts and struggles, and He has the wisdom and power to provide for our every need. Dan 1:17-20 God only needs our availability.


1PE 1:1-12 They were the people God chose to be put in that position. It says that God has chosen you to be where you are today, along with the circumstances and situations.


 


Purpose in v.2


-according to the foreknowledge of God, He knows how to match every person for the time they should live in


-by the Spirit’s sanctifying work, to set you apart, refine you for His purpose


-the obedience and sprinkling of Jesus’ blood, for those you’ll have an impact on


Peter’s not encouraging these people by the future glory they will receive, but instead that as you are refined by trials, Jesus will be revealed more to you, which will lead to His glory


At=through or by means of, immediate and urgent, He offers deliverance through what you’re going through now


God lets you go through the fire to set you free, and give us deeper fellowship with Christ.


Would you pass up future trials if it meant not gaining the deep meaningful experience and relationship with Christ, and would bring others to Him too?


 


Points of application:


-discernment is not a gift, it is the reward of consistent spirituality HEB 5:14


-the ability to discern is based on the ability to know myself, and as God knows me. Do not think more highly of yourself than you are. Do not miss your value in God’s eyes either. To Him you are worth His Son dying on the cross.


-When we learn to live our life on the basis of the price that God paid, and the power He displayed in the Resurrection, my life will be on track. (What am I worth? And What power is available to me?)


-The skill of discernment can come only from the knowledge of God’s Word JER 15:19 EZE 44:23


No one can take from me anything that really matters because the things that matter to me are the things no one can take from me.


Scripture References: Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 15:19, Daniel 1:1-4, Hebrews 5:14, Daniel 1:1-21, Daniel 1:17-20, Daniel 1:11-14, Leviticus 11:41-45, Daniel 1:8-9, Ezekiel 44:23

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From Series: "Daniel - Living by Faith under a Hostile Government - Florida 2009"

This series was given at Lighthouse Point Florida in February 2009.

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