“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 - January 28, 2003
Hebrews 09
Mat 14:22-31 Heb 2:5-10 Peter got in his own way. He stumbled and staggered, and he continually fell and got back up. His life is an encouragement and challenge to us. He doubted, but he had the strength of faith to step out of the boat. “I will never leave you, nor will I forsake you” We see Him as something else, and we are terrified. Then are we willing to put our faith on the line, and step out in faith, when God hasn’t played the part I thought He would play. Peter became an overcomer by faith. We can’t afford to take our eyes off Christ when we do step out of the boat. When Peter cries out in his helplessness, and Jesus immediately stretches out His hand, that is what glorifies God. His matchless grace and mercy is what glorifies Him most. He lays hold of us when we don’t even know how to lay hold of Him. Heb 2:5-10 In every condition of life, we must keep our eyes on Jesus Christ, He is the issue. When our eyes are on Him we will be able to stand. But we see Jesus Heb 2:9 Why is the focus of this book to focus our eyes on Jesus? 64 AD insurrection broke out from the Jews against the Romans. It continued to spread until Titus the Roman came in 70 AD and attacked Jerusalem, and not one stone was left standing on another. Israel ceased to exist at that point. 1.5 million Jews were killed in the destruction of Jerusalem, and millions were sold into slavery throughout the world. They were only three years away from a holocaust. We have economic problems. We are hardened to the events of the world around us, that we aren’t aware of what’s happening. 1co 7:26 Fix our eyes on Jesus Three outstanding truths: 1. God created man for a purpose Heb 2:6 isa 43:7 psa 8:5 Not just that we would give Him glory, but that He could share His glory with us. 2. Although interrupted by the fall, this purpose will yet be realized gen 3:15 it’s impossible to stop any of God’s purposes. Heb 2:5 He is talking about the Reign of Christ, about that kingdom that is to come. 3. Our entrance into this realization can only come about by looking to Christ in faith 4. Paradox of human history. The cross of Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to realize this. But the paradox is “but now” now in your life today, we see the chaos, we don’t see these things, we see the wind and the rain, but we do see Jesus Heb 2:8-9 “but right now I do not see, but I do see Jesus” He’s all we need to see. To see in the first phrase means the panoramic view, the horizon, the whole picture. Do See means a glance, you can look at everything in the world, but take one look at Jesus and things fall into perspective. His purpose for us may be obscured by sin, confusion, suffering, but there is only one solution. Sin wounds people, we need to be conscience of that. The only solution is to keep glancing to Him, keep trusting Him, and He will have you right where He wants you to be 1co 13:12 2co 4:7-11 History of the faith • Adam Gen 3:15-21 He lost paradise, he lost perfection and a perfect relationship with God. • Abraham Gen 22:1-19 Waiting for a son that the divine promise would be fulfilled, and then told to sacrifice him. He probably didn’t see, but looked to Jesus. John 8:56 • Job job 19:25-26 He knew he would see God in his flesh, even though he would die. • Moses exo 33:13-18 heb 11:27 Moses endured as seeing Him who is invisible • Joshua Jos 5:13-14 Preparing to take the promised land, Joshua and Caleb, they endured and they wanted to go. He looks up and sees a man with sword drawn, he saw Jesus. • Jehoshaphat 2ch 20:12 They didn’t know what to do, but they look to God There is one thing God’s going to honor, are we looking to Jesus? Fiery furnace Dan 3:13-30 When they were thrown in the fire, Jesus was there. What can the fire burn? Only that which can be burned, only the ropes that kept them in bondage. Peter Mat 14:22-31 He didn’t see, and didn’t look to Jesus, and he failed. Martha Luk 10:40-41 She was distracted from single minded focus on Jesus Christ Heb 3:1 We are rewarded for looking to Him.
Scripture References: Hebrews 2:5-10, Hebrews 3:1, Genesis 3:15, Job 19:25-26, Matthew 14:22-31, Luke 10:40-41, Psalms 8:5, John 8:56, Matthew 14:22-31, Isaiah 43:7, Genesis 22:1-19, Daniel 3:13-30, Hebrews 2:6, Genesis 3:15-21, Joshua 5:13-14, Hebrews 2:9, Hebrews 2:8-9, Hebrews 11:27, Hebrews 2:5-10, Hebrews 2:5, Exodus 33:13-18
From Series: "Hebrews (1998)"
No summary for this series yet.