How Can We Worship God in Suffering?
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Introduction:
Welcome:
If you have a Bible with you this morning let’s open to Habakkuk 3. This is our text this morning and we will be working through verses 1-16. Let us pray and ask God’s blessing on our time in His word.
Text: Habakkuk 3:1-16
Prayer:
Illustration: What a Friend We Have in Jesus
In 1844, an Irishman named Joseph Scriven had just completed college when he went home to marry his fiance. When he met her on the day before the planned wedding he found her tragically lying underwater in a nearby creek. She had drowned. Later Scriven moved to Canada and fell in love again. He experienced not only the same love but also the same heartbreak when she tragically died of an illness. The following year he writes a poem to his mother in Ireland that describes the deep friendship he had cultivated with Jesus in the hardships in life. It was first entitled pray without ceasing and eventually became, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus?” Instead of blaming God for his circumstances he decided to cherish the friendship he had discovered in prayer.
The Need:
How can a man who lost the love of his life twice have such piece and assurance in suffering? This is a type of peace that is lost on the world and it is lost on many Christians. IT’s one of my great joys and privileges to pick the music here at our church so if you don’t like it then you can blame me but you can also learn an instrument or sing as well. If you look in the back of the hymnal we have a variety of different hymns. We have songs for Christmas, Easter, the attributes of God, themes like salvation, faithfulness, trust, joy etc. One thing that we don’t have is a list of songs that we sing during suffering. Now that doesn’t mean that we don’t have songs that are an encouragement during suffering but it is to say that we don’t often think of how we worship during suffering.
So many times our worship is meant to give the appearance that everything is okay. We go through the motions. Even when others know that we are suffering we put on a good show because it’s church and no one is supposed to be sad during church. But as we have talked about in the last few weeks there are real challenges and trials that we face. We have real questions for God and concerns with how things are going to play out. Sometimes we don’t know how to respond to God’s word not because we don’t understand what is says but that what God’s word says is really hard to live out. So what songs do we sing during these times? How do we respond to God in suffering?
The Sermon:
Habakkuk three closes out the book of Habakkuk with a Psalm. It is a song of both praise to God for his character and trust in the work of God here on earth. This Psalm in chapter 3 is one of the most unusual characteristics of Habakkuk. It crosses genres from prophetic literature to poetic literature. Habakkuk chapter 3 shows us how Habakkuk responds to the word of God and I’ll dare to say that he probably still has concerns. Things may not be totally settled. Yet, despite his concerns about the plan of God in this Psalm he asserts his trust in God and how he rests in God alone. Now this whole chapter is one Psalm but we want to look at the first 16 verses. Next week we will look at the last three verses of the book to close our time in Habakkuk. So what do we want to see today:
Sermon Idea: When faced with suffering in this life, praise God your redeemer.
Transition: I would say especially in times of suffering we need to praise God our redeemer. So how do we praise our redeemer during suffering?
Pray: Asking God to Work
Explanation:
1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.
Notice first of all that chapter three starts out similar to chapter 1. We see the paradox of the whole book of Habakkuk with the beginning of these two chapters. We first see the oracle that Habakkuk saw. This can be translated “burden”. Habakkuk saw the message of God and he had concerns. This is what all of chapter one deals with. In chapter 2 Habakkuk waits on the Lord to answer and God answers with a two fold response: The nations would be proud but then be destroyed, and the righteous would live by faith. Well this Psalm is a demonstration of how to live by faith. Faithfulness to God during suffering involves worship.
Notice also that this is called a Shigionoth. We don’t know much about it but it seems to be a musical term. Some say that it is a song of lamentation but it could be an exciting song, a staggering verse. We really don’t have a lot of ideas on the implications of this word but we know this is used in the book of Psalms as well. The final sentence of the Psalm supports this idea.
2 O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.
Now think with me for a moment about what we know about songs in general. In music you have verses, a chorus, and sometimes a bridge. Verse 2 is the chorus of the song. This is the refrain that is sung at the beginning of the song and then after each verse. We then see three stanzas that make up three verses. Verses 3-8 as stanza 1, verses 9-12 as stanza 2, and verses 13-15 as stanza three. Then verses 16-19 make up the bridge. We see it laid out in this way:
Chorus: Vs. 2
Stanza 1: Vs. 3-8
Stanza 2: Vs. 9-12
Stanza 3: Vs. 13-15
Bridge: Vs. 16-19
Now let’s break down this verse so that we can understand what is going on. First we see that Habakkuk has heard the report of God. This is chapter 2. He had questions and concerns but he sees how God is going to work. He still may have questions but He knows what God has said and notice he says, “I do fear.” Now some would take this to say that he is still afraid which we see is true at the end of the Psalm. I would say that hear fears God in the sense of awe and respect. He is marveling at the work of God. The message of God makes Habakkuk marvel at the character of who God is.
Then we get to three prayer requests from Habakkuk that seem kind of confusing for us. The first quest is that God would revive His work. When we think of revival we think of causing something to become new again that has gone out. We are reigniting a fire. We are fanning into flame. Judah had a revival in the past under King Josiah. Habakkuk wants God to work again in the same way. He wants people to return to knowing God. He wants a fresh response to God from the people.
His second request is that he would make his work known. He wants others to be drawn to the message of God. He wants God to make His work known to other so that it would give him glory. This reminds me of what Christ shows the disciples how to pray and he says, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.” He prays for the events to take place that are part of God’s future kingdom work. In the same way Habakkuk prays that God would make His will done here on the earth.
Lastly Habakkuk prays for mercy. The fate of Judah would no doubt be terrible. We’ll see a physical description of Habakkuk’s response later on. He prays that God would show them mercy. This isn’t a plea for national mercy because Habakkuk knows what is going to happen to Judah but I believe this is a plea for personal mercy for the righteous people in the nation. One of the great things about our God is that even in the midst of a demonstration of His power and wrath He shows mercy.
Illustration:
Application:
How do you respond to God in suffering? What do you do when life doesn’t make sense? In Habakkuk we have said that it is fine to express your concerns to God. We can pray in lament. One of the struggles that we often have in suffering is that we just don’t pray in general. We talk to everyone else about our problems but we never talk to God and we never express our concerns to Him. Our first response to suffering should be prayer. In that prayer we can express lament and we can express frustration, but that shouldn’t be the whole extent of our prayers.
If you read the Psalms of lament in scripture you’ll notice a theme that while many of them start out in lamentation they all end in trust. I often mention Psalm 13:1 as an example of honest lament before God but I love the words of verse 5, “I have trusted in your steadfast love.” There must come a time in our suffering where we not only express our concerns to God but we affirm our trust in Him. This is a powerful demonstration of faithfulness. The righteous will live by faith and they pray that God would act according to His will.
1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
We can worship in prayer. Worship is not only something that happens in music or in a worship service but worship should be a daily part of our lives. We can worship God in prayer. Let this also be an encouragement to use in the the content of our prayers. It is not wrong to pray for physical needs in our lives and in our church family but if we only pray for physical needs then there is a bigger issue. We should pray for the spiritual realities that face each and everyone of us.
2. Sing: Remembering the Character of God. (vs. 3-15)
Transition: We now examine what is the biggest section of the psalm. This makes up the three stanzas with verse 2 as the chorus that follows after each stanza. In each of these stanzas we see the character and work of God on display. Let’s look at the first stanza together.
a. God’s Glorious Presence. (vs. 3-8)
The first stanza details the glorious character of God. Now something we will see in each of these stanzas is that the title of the stanza appears in the phrase before the “Selah”. We don’t know a lot about what “Selah” means but many people think it means to pause maybe to reflect on what was just said. Look at what Habakkuk would have us reflect on: Habakkuk 3:3
3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.
We see God coming from Teman and Mt. Paran. Teman was an area outside of Egypt. Some think this is a reference to Esau and Edom because it can be associated with them but this is also the area where the children of Israel camped out before trying to enter the promised land. This was a formative time for the children of Israel. God was forming His nation, His law, and instilling in them His character. He had just saved them and now He is showing them how He wants them to live. Mt. Paran is a reference to Mt. Sinai. This is where God gave them the law. Then Selah marks off this statement causing us to reflect on what was just said. We reflect on God and how He forms His people and reveals himself to them.
4 His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power.
5 Before him went pestilence, and plague followed at his heels.
6 He stood and measured the earth; he looked and shook the nations; then the eternal mountains were scattered; the everlasting hills sank low. His were the everlasting ways.
7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction; the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.
8 Was your wrath against the rivers, O Lord? Was your anger against the rivers, or your indignation against the sea, when you rode on your horses, on your chariot of salvation?
Look with me now at the rest of the stanza. In verse 3 we see that the splendor of God covering the skies. What I believe Habakkuk is referring to here is a lightening storm. At night we can see the flashes of lightening in a large display. When the sky is totally dark it allows the light to shine. Verse 4 continues this idea. God’s glory is like the flashing of light and it displays His power. Many believe this whole Psalm is describing a Theophany. A Theophany is where God appears on earth. Can you imagine what it would be like? His glory would fill the sky, and his brightness would frighten the earth.
Illustration: A Lightening Storm:
I worked at a camp one summer and we had a pretty bad lightening storm roll through. Our cabins had no AC and were pretty isolated from the main campground. I had pretty bad cell reception but they gave each of us a walkie talkie. One of the other counselors radioed me to see if we should head back to the main ground. When I looked outside it was like the whole sky had just lit up with lightening. The kids asked if we were going to be okay and right when I said yes a bolt of lightening stuck somewhere near by and shook my entire cabin.
We see that before God goes pestilence and plague. This is death, disease, famine. It could be a reference to God’s work in Egypt. God not only works in nature but He works against His enemies. These are a display of His power. Notice the power of God in verse 6. He stands and measures the earth. I often go to the store and I’m asked to reach things on the top shelf for shorter ladies. God is so powerful that He can stand and measure the entire earth. When He simply looks it shakes the nations. Things that have been established seemingly forever like mountains and hills sink in comparison to Him.
We then see a description of God’s power at war. Cushan is another name for Midian. Midian wasn’t always positioned against Israel. In fact Moses’ wife was from Midian. Later on they oppose Israel and hire Balaam to utter a curse against them and then they oppose Israel in Judges 6. When Israel sins against God, He brings Midian to oppress them for 6 years and the text says they were brought, “very low”. Yet God uses Gideon to save Israel from Midian. Habakkuk speaks here in first person. He sees the presence of God on display. Verse 8 seems to be a description of the presence of God as He parts the Red Sea and drowns the Egyptians.
Illustration: Presence
Presence is a powerful idea. A baby can feel their mother’s presence. We all enjoy seeing baby Sandy Roloff and holding her but if Shaefer and Kaitlyn walk away for too long Sandy probably won’t be happy. She may start to cry. When they come back and hold her everything get’s better.
The beauty of Habakkuk chapter 3 is that it answers the questions of Habakkuk chapter one. Consider some of the questions this first stanza answers.
Question: “Are you not from everlasting?” (Hab. 1:12)
Answer: “Then the eternal mountains were scattered, the everlasting hills sank low. His were the everlasting ways.” (Hab. 3:6)
Question: “Why do you look idly at wrong? (Hab. 1:3)
Answer: “I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.” (Hab. 3:7)
Application Point: Friends when life spins out of control God is there with us. He has always been and will always be. We can trust in Him!
b. God’s Powerful Works (vs. 9-12)
After that stanza the chorus would repeat. We would remember God’s work and pray for God to revive His work in their day, to make it known and to remember mercy in the midst of wrath. Look with me now at verses 9-12 as we see the second stanza. Habakkuk 3:9
9 You stripped the sheath from your bow, calling for many arrows. Selah You split the earth with rivers.
The title of the second stanza says God is stripping the sheath from His bow. It shows Him preparing for battle. He prepares His arrows. Selah again calls us to pause and reflect on what was just said. Now look with me at verses 9-12.
9 You stripped the sheath from your bow, calling for many arrows. Selah You split the earth with rivers.
10 The mountains saw you and writhed; the raging waters swept on; the deep gave forth its voice; it lifted its hands on high.
11 The sun and moon stood still in their place at the light of your arrows as they sped, at the flash of your glittering spear.
12 You marched through the earth in fury; you threshed the nations in anger.
The rest of verse 9 shows the power of God in creation. He creates the rivers. He splits the earth. He is powerful in creation. He is also powerful in is appearing. In verse 10 the mountains look at God and tremble. The waters shake, sweep, and the deep utters it’s voice. This could be like foaming water. The earth is personified as a person trembling, shaking, fearing, screaming for help. It lifts it’s hands on high either in fear or in praise.
Notice the works of God. First of all in verse 11. The sun and moon stand still in place. When we see this take place in Joshua 10. There was a the long day in Joshua where the soon and moon stood still in the heavens. Joshua is fighting the five kings of the Amorites. They have banded together because they have heard of Joshua and the people of Israel and their military success. God comforts Joshua by saying He has given them into his hands. He ambushed their army and threw them into panic. When the army tried to run away God threw down large hailstones. We later see that God caused the sun to stand still until they could execute their enemies. This is just one of the many powerful works of God.
Verse 12 could also refer to Joshua. They marched through the earth in fury. Joshua marched through Canaan destroying nation after nation all with the power of the Lord. When they were dependent on God there was victory and when there was sin in the camp there was defeat. Threshing refers to the oxen pressing down wheat almost grinding it. In the same way God grinds through the enemies of Israel. We see another question answered here this time with an analogy from Joshua.
Question: “How long will I cry for help and you will not hear?” (Habakkuk 1:2)
Answer: “You marched through the nations in fury; you threshed the earth in anger.” (Habakkuk 3:12)
Application Point: When we are discouraged waiting for God to work, we can trust that He answers prayer.
c. God’s Wonderful Salvation. (vs. 13-15)
We would again see the chorus between these two stanzas. Now we see the title of the third stanza in verses 13. Habakkuk 3:13
13 You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked, laying him bare from thigh to neck. Selah
We see God bringing salvation for His people. The theme here is that God saves. He redeems. The key passage in the Old Testament that shows us salvation and redemption for Israel is the Exodus. God saves Israel from Egypt. When Moses sees God in the burning bush he is afraid and asks God what to tell Israel. He responds by saying tell the “Yahweh” sent you. “I am who I am”. He is self-existent. He keeps His promises. Why did God save Israel from Egypt? Because God promised it would! In this verse we see He both saves His people and destroys His enemies. The anointed is God’s name not only for His Messiah but His set apart people. The Selah calls us to pause and reflect on the salvation that God brings.
14 You pierced with his own arrows the heads of his warriors, who came like a whirlwind to scatter me, rejoicing as if to devour the poor in secret.
15 You trampled the sea with your horses, the surging of mighty waters.
We see God saving his people in these two verses. He destroys the enemy warriors. All those who rise up against God’s people are destroyed. Those with evil intentions cannot remain. In verse 15 we see that God tramples His enemies like horses. The surging of waters again is a reference to the Exodus. God saves His people and Habakkuk remembers this as well. What questions is Habakkuk answering here.
Question: “Or cry to you “violence!” and you will not save?” (Hab. 1:2)
Answer: “You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed.” (Hab. 3:13)
Question: “For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.”
Answer: “You crush the head of the house of the wicked, laying him bare from thigh to neck.” (Hab. 3:13)
Application Point: When we are discourage by the trials of life, we can remember the salvation of our great God.
Application:
And friends we should sing of the character of our great God. He is ever present, He works powerfully, and He saves His people. Now maybe singing is not your thing. Maybe you can’t hold a note to save your life. We should still sing remembering the character of God. Now there are a lot of discussions on worship music, and styles and what should be emphasized in worship but this text reminds us of what our music should be focused on.
Good Music Should:
Remind us of the Presence of the Lord
Describe to us the Works of God
Emphasize the Salvation of God
All for the Glory of God
This song is a prayer from Habakkuk to God that His work would be done. That there would be revival, that people would remember what God has done and that He would still show mercy. The chorus brings us back to the present condition and power of God but the verses tell us who God is. People recognize the power of music. Many churches devote countless resources towards making their music impactful but impactful music starts with reminding us of our great God. Friends especially in suffering we need singing and we need worship that tells us of God’s character.
3. Rest: Trusting in the Promises of God.
Let us lastly look at what would have been the bridge. Habakkuk 3:16
16 I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me. Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us.
Habakkuk takes in the message of God. He is honest, he is real, and he is afraid. This Pslam shows us that Habakkuk trusts God but physically he is not okay. We can’t lose sight of the fact that Babylon was still coming. Judah would be destroyed and he would either go into captivity or die during the invasion. The picture of this verse is Habakkuk waiting on the invasion. He hears what is coming and his body trembles. His lips are shaking so that he cannot speak. His bones feel like they are rotten and his legs are trembling.
The bridge connects us to the emotional situation of Habakkuk. Yet the bridge also reminds us of Habakkuk’s trust in the Lord. He says he will wait quietly for the day of trouble to come upon the people who invade us. Habakkuk knows the situation is bad for Israel but God made promises. Those promises include the eventual destruction of Babylon. God said this would happen so Habakkuk believes this will happen. He will quietly wait for God to work.
Application:
In the midst of suffering we can rest. We can trust in the promises of God. We can know that if God said it we can believe it. We can have questions, we can worship God but eventually all of that should lead us to rest and wait on Him. Will you rest in the Lord your God this morning.
Conclusion: Three Final Questions
Do you worship the Lord in suffering?
Do you pray trusting God will work?
Do you rest in the promises of God?
