Lessons from Habakkuk 2

I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. 2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. 4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. 2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. 4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Anticipation v.1

I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

Anticipation is an important function of a successful leaders.

Know

Parent

Business

An experienced person will be better at anticipating

Experience teaches us lessons

Example: Van incident - I look in my mirrors more now

We can listen to someone wiser than us (The Bible)

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Also found in A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

“know your operational environment”

Military Terms

I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

Be Amazed 1. Write God’s Vision (Hab. 2:1–3)

In ancient days, the watchmen were responsible to warn the city of approaching danger, and if they weren’t faithful, their hands would be stained with the blood of the people who died (Ezek. 3:17–21; 33:1–3). It was a serious responsibility.

Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. 18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: 3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;

Watch - extra duty on top of your job you spend time looking out for the enemy

“Know your operational environment”

“Be prepared”

Devotional Time

I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

hall answer when I am reproved.

Believer’s Bible Commentary A. Habakkuk Awaits God’s Answer (2:1)

Habakkuk retired to his watchtower to see how the Lord would answer him. He wanted to get alone in order to gain God’s perspective. This is a most important principle for believers today as well. Whether we call it our “quiet time,” “devotions,” or by some other term, daily communion with God is crucial for every Christian.

Question: Are you watching to see what He will say unto you?

Answer v.2

And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

What a blessing to hear from the Lord!

We can hear from the Lord every time we pick up the word!

We can hear from the Lord if we take the time to listen...

The Composition

And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

The vision needed to be recorded

The vision needed to be read

Don’t take the Word for granted

The Explanation

And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

Make it plain - keep it simple!

In preaching my job is not to impress people, but the explain the truths of the Bible.

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

Instructions should be clear and concise

The Warning

And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

People that don’t know God misunderstand the warnings in the Bible

Run Away - Retreat

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Future

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

God’s Appointed Time

One aspect of “faith” is waiting on the Lord

We have to be patient in waiting on the Lord’s return

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God....13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

( wording is like )

For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

Faith

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

The Proud Falter

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Faith and Pride are at odds with each other

Faith waits for the Lord, Pride does not

Pride does not

Faith is humble, pride is arrogant

Faith

Faith is charitable towards others, Pride is charitable towards self

Practical Faith

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

The Frequency of Faith

Faith is an every day practice

Faith is practiced in spiritual exercises

Disciplines

Demeanor

The Function of Faith

Faith is a way of life

It becomes a new norm