Remember The Past

INTRODUCTION

How many of us here today believe God is in control?

Can I get an amen?

It is easy to trust that God is in control when things are going well, firing on all cylinders and going the way we wanted and planned.

Praise the Lord when the stars align, and that happens.

What about when that is not the case?

Can you, with the same enthusiasm, shout out a big AMEN when things are not seemingly going well, not firing on all cylinders, and not the way you planned?

Is God still in control?

Can I get an enthusiastic amen?

Habakkuk was in a position where he questioned if God was paying attention to all the evil God's people were doing.

Habakkuk wondered why God was not doing anything about what Habakkuk saw happening around him.

Do you believe God is in control?

I do, BUT...

No, you either do, or you do not.

Habakkuk saw the world around him and wondered.

God gave Habakkuk an answer, bringing more questions from Habakkuk.

God, how can you do that?

How can you use people more evil than the nation of Israel to punish Israel?

Questions, questions.

One of the goals of our faith should be to trust that God has a plan no matter what we see before us or experience.

God is either involved, or He is not.

How can we get to that point in our lives that when asked or pondering whether God is in control, we can say YES HE IS, AMEN, no matter what is happening around us?

We can know God is in control and has a plan to the point that we keep the BUT out of our thoughts.

Today we examine Habakkuk 3:1-16 we will glean some principles to help us get there in life.

Big Idea of the Message: Remembering God's faithfulness in the past is key to navigating difficult seasons. Seeing God's faithfulness in the past, in our lives, and in the lives of others encourages us that we can trust him in the present and the future.

Let's open the Word together.

Habakkuk 3:1–2 (NET 2nd ed.)

1 This is a prayer of Habakkuk the prophet:

2 Lord, I have heard the report of what you did; I am awed, Lord, by what you accomplished. In our time repeat those deeds; in our time reveal them again. But when you cause turmoil, remember to show us mercy!

SERMON

I. Remember who God is.

Habakkuk begins by acknowledging God's sovereignty and power.

When we lose sight of who God is, we forget what He can do.

What situation are you facing where you would say God is in control and has a plan, BUT...

What situation are you facing that is bigger than God?

What situation are you facing that you have written off God because it looks bad?

Habakkuk had looked around him and wondered if God cared.

We must remember that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Despite the circumstances, we can find peace and strength in knowing He is in control.

In times of uncertainty, we must remind ourselves of His attributes: His love, faithfulness, and wisdom.

It's understandable to face situations where we may question God's control or plans.

However, it's important to remember that there isn't a situation bigger than God.

He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and capable of working in ways that surpass our understanding.

Even in the darkest of times, God's sovereignty remains unchanged.

If you find yourself facing an overwhelming situation, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on God's character.

Remind yourself of His faithfulness throughout history and in your own life.

Remember that His love is unwavering, His wisdom is perfect, and His plans are for your ultimate good.

Instead of writing off God because a situation looks bad, choose to trust Him and seek His guidance.

Remember that God's perspective is far greater than ours, and He can bring beauty and redemption even out of the most challenging circumstances.

Just as Habakkuk questioned and wrestled with God, bringing your doubts and concerns before Him is okay.

Seek His presence and allow Him to reassure you of His control and faithfulness.

In times of uncertainty, hold on to the truth that God is with you, and His plans for your life are ultimately for your good and His glory.

May you find peace, strength, and renewed trust in God as you remember who He is and lean on His unchanging character.

He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and He holds your situation in His capable hands.

Habakkuk begins chapter three with another prayer.

He starts by saying that he has heard of the great works of God, and he is in awe of them.

He knows God is all-powerful, all-seeing, all-knowing.

He understands what God has told him.

He understands that difficult days are ahead.

He calls upon the mercy of the Lord in verse 2: "In wrath remember mercy."

If you are going to be successful in trusting God, you have to look back and remember who He is!

Habakkuk 3:3–15 (NET 2nd ed.)

3 God comes from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His splendor covered the skies, the earth is full of his glory.

4 His brightness will be as lightning; a two-pronged lightning bolt flashes from his hand. This is the outward display of his power.

5 Plague will go before him; pestilence will march right behind him.

6 He took his battle position and shook the earth; with a mere look he frightened the nations. The ancient mountains disintegrated; the primeval hills are flattened. His are ancient roads.

7 I saw the tents of Cushan overwhelmed by trouble; the tent curtains of the land of Midian were shaking.

8 Was the Lord mad at the rivers? Were you angry with the rivers? Were you enraged at the sea? Such that you would climb into your horse-drawn chariots, your victorious chariots?

9 Your bow is ready for action; you commission your arrows. Selah. You cause flash floods on the earth’s surface.

10 When the mountains see you, they shake. The torrential downpour sweeps through. The great deep shouts out; it lifts its hands high.

11 The sun and moon stand still in their courses; the flash of your arrows drives them away, the bright light of your lightning-quick spear.

12 You furiously stomp on the earth; you angrily trample down the nations.

13 You march out to deliver your people, to deliver your special servant. You strike the leader of the wicked nation, laying him open from the lower body to the neck. Selah.

14 You pierce the heads of his warriors with a spear. They storm forward to scatter us; they shout with joy as if they were plundering the poor with no opposition.

15 But you trample on the sea with your horses, on the surging, raging waters.

II. Recall the past acts of God.

Habakkuk goes deep in the playbook to the past actions of God.

Google reviews are a powerful thing.

Many people look at reviews when choosing a vacation resort, a new restaurant, a doctor, a plumber, a product, or a church.

We also tend to ask friends and those we trust about their experiences.

We want to know the experiences other people have had.

Why do we do this?

Because past performance can be a good indicator of future results.

In the same way, when we have a great experience with something, we are typically eager to tell others about it.

If you went to a great restaurant or had an incredible vacation, did you tell someone about it?

Most likely, the answer is yes!

The same principle is true in our faith.

The Bible is a story of the redemption of humankind.

It's a story of God's holiness and his faithfulness throughout history.

We can read the Bible and see his faithfulness.

We see that he can be trusted.

Our testimony is powerful as well.

Revelation 12:11 tells us that the enemy is overcome by the blood of the Lamb (Christ crucified) and the word of our testimony.

Seeing God's faithfulness in past situations gives us hope for present and future situations.

Habakkuk reflects on the past acts of God, drawing inspiration from Israel's history.

In Habakkuk 3, the prophet Habakkuk reflects on past events that demonstrate God's mighty acts of deliverance for the people of Israel.

While the events mentioned are not explicitly specified, scholars believe that Habakkuk draws inspiration from historical moments like the Exodus from Egypt, the conquest of Canaan, and the victories of Israel over its enemies, such as the defeat of the Midianites by Gideon.

These references serve as a reminder of God's faithfulness and power throughout Israel's history.

The Exodus, the conquest of Canaan, and other victories remind us of God's faithfulness.

Remembering what God has done in the past builds our confidence in His ability to intervene in our present situation.

We can take comfort in knowing that the same God who delivered our ancestors will deliver us as well.

Verses 3–16 recall incredible things that God has done in the past.

Habakkuk reminds himself (and us as readers) that God has been faithful and just in past generations.

He makes a list and writes them down.

The beautiful thing about what he is doing is that now it can be remembered by generations following Habakkuk.

This makes Habakkuk 2:2–3 even more powerful.

God's answer was basically, "Write this down so future generations will know that I did what I said I would do."

Habakkuk 3:16 (NET 2nd ed.)

16 I listened and my stomach churned; the sound made my lips quiver. My frame went limp, as if my bones were decaying, and I shook as I tried to walk. I long for the day of distress to come upon the people who attack us.

III. Trust God with your future and roll with the punches.

The events heading toward Habakkuk were not going to be comfortable and fun.

Look at the language he uses in verse 16.

Habakkuk 3:16 (NET 2nd ed.)

16 I listened and my stomach churned; the sound made my lips quiver. My frame went limp, as if my bones were decaying, and I shook as I tried to walk. I long for the day of distress to come upon the people who attack us.

Habakkuk's example of trust in God's sovereignty is truly remarkable.

Despite his impending calamity and uncertainties, he chose to trust God wholeheartedly.

His trust in God empowered him to face difficulties confidently, knowing that God was in control.

Habakkuk shows us that trusting God doesn't mean we will be exempt from challenges or hardships.

Trusting God enables us to navigate through trying times with a sense of peace and assurance.

When we surrender our plans and desires to God and place our trust in His perfect will, we align ourselves with His purposes and open ourselves up to His guidance and provision.

We are facing uncertain times today.

Embracing uncertainty is not easy, but through these uncertain times, God often works most powerfully.

When we let go of our need for control and allow God to lead, we position ourselves to experience His faithfulness and see His plans unfold in ways we could never have imagined.

Like Habakkuk, let us be willing to trust God and roll with the punches.

We need the courage to surrender our own agendas and cling to God's sovereignty.

In doing so, we can find strength, peace, and the joy of experiencing His presence even amid the storms of life.

I hope we are inspired by Habakkuk's unwavering faith and learn to trust God's sovereignty, surrender our plans, and embrace uncertainty. In doing so, we position ourselves to witness God's incredible work in our lives.

CONCLUSION

Application Point: Think of ways to remember God's faithfulness. Write them down. Tell other people. Revisit these when you are discouraged or struggling in your faith.

As God instructed Habakkuk to write down the vision in Habakkuk 2:2, so we would do well to write down things that God reveals to us, to write down his faithfulness.

This can be done in a number of ways.

Journaling and writing in the margins of your Bible can help you remember that God has spoken to you in the past.

A Chinese proverb says, "The faintest ink is more powerful than the strongest memory."

This is such a powerful truth.

Ask yourself: How many great memories or thoughts have you had that are now forgotten because they weren't written down?

Funny things your children said or did.

Meaningful things a family member or friend said or did.

Many times, we look at a loved one's old Bible (or our own!), and as we read the notes in the margin, we remember the goodness of God, and our faith is encouraged. It is even easier in today's world, with all the technology we have at our fingertips.

Writing in blogs, documents, digital notebooks, and even social media can help us remember the faithfulness of God.

This week, take some time each day to jot down things you are thankful for or things God has provided for you.

Write down your testimony.

Write down experiences you have had in his presence.

Take notes in church and when you read.

You never know when these moments may be the very thing you need to read or hear in the future.

In times of uncertainty, it is crucial to remember who God is, recall His past acts, and trust Him with our future while rolling with the punches.

Our faith and trust in God will sustain us through every trial and hardship.

Let us hold fast to His promises, knowing He is faithful and will never leave or forsake us.