“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
>>>>Click here for printable Conference Notes <<<<
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).
>>>Click here if you do not see the video/audio lessons below<<<
Gene Cunningham - June 10, 2003
Galatians 6
Paul admonished the Galatians that they were cursed preaching a different gospel (Gal 1:8-9), then reviews how they came to Christ (Gal 3:1-5), then shows them how they've relapsed (Gal 5:1-9). One of the charges against Paul was that he taught circumcision — he had Timothy circumcised (Gal 5:2, Gal 5:10-12) to not be a stumbling block to others (Timothy's mother was Jewish). Paul reminds the Galatians of the highest goal in the spiritual life, namely love (Gal 5:5-6, Gal 5:13-14); he typically reminds his readers (1Co 13:13, 1Th 1:3, 1Th 5:8, Rom 5:1-5) as the Lord did (Joh 13:34-35). Faith looks to the past — What God has done; Hope looks to the future — What God will do; Love looks in the present — what He's doing now and can doing in and through our lives. Love summarizes the whole Law (Gal 5:14). There's only two options: walk in the flesh (Gal 5:15), or walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16-17). If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law (Gal 5:18, Rom 8:4). The question is whether you will follow the Spirit. The works of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21). Paul is talking to believers that chose to live a carnal or spiritual life. Those who chose a spiritual life "inherit the Kingdom" (Gal 5:21b, 1Pe 1:4), that is have rewards in eternity (Col 2:8, Rev 3:10, Col 3:23-25). Rewards in heaven are eternal trophies of honor and credit to Jesus Christ for those who live for Him (2Co 5:14-15, Gal 2:20). As well in time, life, joy and peace are forfeited now if we don't walk in the Spirit (Rom 14:14-17). Fruit of the Spirit: the first three — love, joy, peace — have to do with relationship to the Father (Gal 5:22-23). 2nd three reflect relationship to others — longsuffering, kindness, goodness. 3rd three have to do with ourselves — faithfulnes, gentleness, and self-control. Our life has an impact (Gal 5:24-26).
Scripture References: Galatians 5:2, Galatians 5:1-9, Galatians 5:22-23, John 13:34-35, Galatians 5:19-21, Galatians 3:1-5, Romans 14:14-17, Romans 5:1-5, Romans 8:4, Galatians 1:8-9, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 5:13-14, Galatians 5:18, Colossians 3:23-25, Galatians 5:5-6, Galatians 5:16-17, Revelation 3:10, Galatians 5:10-12, Galatians 5:15, Colossians 2:8, Galatians 5:2, Galatians 5:24-26, Galatians 5:14
From Series: "Galatians - The Truth and Power of the Gospel - Hot Spring AR - 2009"
This series was given at Grace Bible Church of Hot Springs Arkansas in November 2009.