Changed Heart

“The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

We can’t come to God and hold out our own paltry righteousness to Him and say, “This is why I deserve to have my prayers answered. Lord, please answer my prayers according to these filthy rags of righteousness I hold in my hands.”

We are often like the person who passed an anonymous note up to evangelist R. A. Torrey as he sat on the platform, preparing to preach. The note read: I have been praying for a long time for something that I am confident is according to God’s will, but I do not get it. . . . I have been Superintendent in the Sunday school for twenty-five years, and an elder in the church for twenty years; and yet God does not answer my prayer and I cannot understand it. Can you explain it to me? Torrey used the anonymous note to make an important point in his sermon. He said that the person who wrote the note mistakenly thought that being a Sunday school superintendent or church elder for years placed God under an obligation to answer those prayers. Was this person really praying in God’s name, according to God’s will? No. Torrey concluded, “He is really praying in his own name.”

If God is going to send revival to the church today, it won’t be because of how faithful we have been. No, it will be because of how merciful He is.

Youssef, Michael. Life-Changing Prayers: How God Displays His Power to Ordinary People (p. 164). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

A Heart of Adoration - (vs. 3-4)

What is the greatest commandment?

Matthew 22:37 NASB95

And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

This includes our prayers!

Emotions of awe and adoration are woven throughout .

In this prayer, Habakkuk speaks adoringly of God’s power, His righteousness, and His deliverance of His people. Habakkuk is in awe of the Lord’s deeds, His glory and splendor, His everlasting nature, and the brilliant power of God that eclipses the very sun and moon. Habakkuk is not only amazed at God’s power; he is also captivated by God’s righteousness. The Lord judges the wicked, threshes the godless nations, and delivers His people from destruction. The Lord is Habakkuk’s joy and strength.

A healthy and robust prayer life begins with an understanding of who God is and what it means to pray to Him.

Youssef, Michael. Life-Changing Prayers: How God Displays His Power to Ordinary People (p. 165). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Psalm 37:4 NASB95

Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

When you pray, ask God to teach you more about Himself and what it means to follow Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to delight yourself in the Lord.

Youssef, Michael. Life-Changing Prayers: How God Displays His Power to Ordinary People (p. 167). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

A Heart of Longing - (vs. 16-19)

One thing that did not change from the first chapter to the end was Habbakuk’s desire to see God move.

What did change was what that looked like.

In Chapter One, Habakkuk seeks Israel’s vindication.

In Chapter Three, Habakkuk seeks God’s will!

Habakkuk embraces the fact of God’s judgment so that he can see God’s restoration.

1 Peter 4:17 NASB95

For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Israel’s deliverance would not be based upon their worthiness but upon God’s mercy.

Habakkuk was okay with whatever that looked like. (vs.17-19)

Are you ready for God to change hearts?

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