Standing on My Watchtower

Intro

The innocence of a child as they grow to ask the questions of why and how. No matter how well you explain, it doesn’t seem to be enough. So you reason with, “You’ll understand one day, but right now just trust me.”

As adults, maturing believers, we may approach God with these same questions: why and how? The difference is that a child will one day understand what they’re confused about. We may not understand.

Need: What do you do in the unknown? In the uncertainty? We will look and see how Hab handles this.

Habakkuk 1:12-2:1

Main Idea: Faith requires trust, not answers

Habakkuk begins with complaint to God. He saw God would use Babylon to defeat Assyria and punish Judah. Couldn’t understand wicked destroying the “righteous.” God responds with you wouldn’t understand. He is raising Babylon for his purposes.

That answer doesn’t suffice for Habakkuk.

Section #1: Habakkuk’s questions (12-13)

Exp. After God responds, Habakkuk has more questions. Verse 12. Acknowledges his eternal nature.

Psalm 90:2

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Habakkuk is reconciling his theology of God to what God is doing. He uses the covenant name, “I AM WHO I AM.” We shall not die is recalling God’s promise to keep them. Ordained as judgment and established for reproof. Affirming God’s plan. Calls him “rock.” Foundational.

Exp. Verse 13. How can you be these things and allow evil to swallow up the righteous. You can’t look at evil, yet you allow evil to destroy your chosen people. I can understand Habakkuk’s confusion. We may ask similar questions.

God, why do you allow evil in the world?

God, how can you let suffering persist?

Section #2: The wickedness of Babylon (14-17)

Exp. Hab explains the implications of God’s inaction. Verse 14. Man was given dominion over fish, now they are like fish. Then he talks of Babylon. Verse 15. Hook, single person, net, wider in scope, dragnet, many fish. Babylonians rejoice in treating others this way.

Exp. Verse 16. Their religion is the work of their hands. There is no shortage of those today who worship the work of their hands. Their god is their fishing net for men. And yet, they succeed. Live in luxury. Food is rich or “fat.”

Exp. Verse 17. The question moves from why to how long. They will empty their nets preparing for the next catch. How long will you allow this to happen? Not a question of perplexity but of patience. Not uncommon to questions today.

Section #3: Habakkuk’s waiting (2:1)

Exp. He knows what will eventually come: destruction. He is awaiting something else. Verse 2:1. Watch post and tower have two meanings. Clearly awaiting message. Also, awaiting battle. He’s submitted to God’s plan of Babylon even though he doesn’t understand.

Takeaway #1: Wrestle in the unknown

Exp. Like Hab, you have wondered about God’s allowance of evil in the world. Wondered about God’s affairs in the world. You may still have questions that you can’t find the answer to. The waiting can destroy some of you.

Ill. Getting the text, “I need to talk to you” or “I have a question.” I’ll call you tomorrow. Throws us off our game.

Exp. The prophets lived in this state. Not knowing when or how the attacks would come. Some saw visions they didn’t understand. Uncertainty is not sin. Unbelief is. This is what the prophets were preaching. God can handle your questions from a place of understanding. We must assess our questions.

Arg. In verse 13, Hab assumes two things: God is silent & Judah is righteous. God has clearly spoken against sin and Judah. Simply being Israelites does not make them righteous. As they are actively living in sin. We have clear answers to these questions.

Christ - We are sinners and unrighteous, but Jesus was completely righteous and died to save the wicked. God has spoken about who is righteous, and it’s those who pur their faith in Jesus Christ. We can sit in the unknown because Jesus is with you in the unknown.

App. What do we do?

Don’t let situations dictate your view of God. Habakkuk stayed firm here. The world doesn’t change God.

Lean on God’s Word in the unknown. Allow what has been spoken direct your heart.

Takeaway #2: Trust in God when you don’t know the plan

Exp. It’s one thing to simply wrestle, it’s another to trust. Hab clearly displays trust as he waits for God’s rebuke. He knows who God is even though the plan is uncertain.

Ill. GPS today. Mapquest or just a map. No “recalculating.” You just started driving and trusted that you would eventually get to where you’re going.

Arg. Eventually you would drive it so much, you knew where it was going. Following God is not like driving the same road. More like walking to Alaska blindfolded. You can’t on your own. Why Proverbs says,

Proverbs 3:5–6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Arg. You grow in your faith not by figuring out God’s plan for your life, but trusting in the unknown.

Christ - Here’s the plan that we know of. In Christ, you have been saved from sin and death.

Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Those in Christ are called to live a holy life and fulfill the Great Commission as the church. No questions here. So we do this. What about the other stuff? The rest of uncertainty. We trust. Jesus is with us and he’s coming back. We trust in the waiting.

App. What do we do?

Hold your plans loosely. For us control people, this is most difficult. Can you let go?

Don’t pray for clarity, pray for trust. Sometimes, praying for clarity hinders our faith.

Conclusion

Mother Theresa. Kavanaugh asked for her to pray for clarity, she said no. Why? She said, “Clarity is the last thing you are clinging to and must let go of.” She seemed to have clarity. She laughed. “I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust. So I will pray that you trust God.”