Man's False Hope

Where Does Our Hope Lie?

Habakkuk 2:6–14 NIV

“Will not all of them taunt him with ridicule and scorn, saying, “ ‘Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion! How long must this go on?’ Will not your creditors suddenly arise? Will they not wake up and make you tremble? Then you will become their prey. Because you have plundered many nations, the peoples who are left will plunder you. For you have shed human blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them. “Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, setting his nest on high to escape the clutches of ruin! You have plotted the ruin of many peoples, shaming your own house and forfeiting your life. The stones of the wall will cry out, and the beams of the woodwork will echo it. “Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by injustice! Has not the Lord Almighty determined that the people’s labor is only fuel for the fire, that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing? For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

The Lord continues in His response to Habakkuk’s objection to the Lord’s plan to use the Babylonians by granting Habakkuk an insight into the futility of the Babylonians hope.

The Babylonians had placed their hope in the exact things that the Israelites had placed their hope. The Lord in His graciousness had spared the Israelites the fate that would befall the Babylonians.

Look at the words that the Lord uses describing what the attitude of the world will be toward the Babylonians when they meet the fate the Lord has lined out for them. They will be taunted, ridicules and scorned.

The Lord walkls through the fragility of the hope that the Babylonians have placed their trust.

Stolen Goods - Their ability to amass wealthy from others to provide security is met with the temporariness to that wealth. There is always a stronger man who will come and take what we believe is ours.

Building - Their ability to build an empire is met with the might of the Lord whose empire this really is.

Where Should Our Hope Lie?

Habakkuk 2:14 NIV

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

The Lord points Habakkuk to the truth that He is in control.

John 14:1 NIV

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.

Jesus states the same to us. There will be trouble but do not let that trouble trouble you. Trust in me.

Jesus states that when we face trouble, our hearts should move to believe and trust in the Lord. The picture here is that when trouble comes, you put your weight on the Lord. Walker example

What we have found is what we put our weight on is not working. God is strong enough for our weight. When we face troubles, when what we desire is not happening, where will we put our weight? Or put differently, do I really believe in Jesus?

This is the message that Jesus has for His disciples. In the face of an uncertain future, this is the message that they needed to hear. I believe that this is the same message that the Lord desires us to hear.

Our confidence is in the Lord. We have the hope of the world. We have the Lord and we know that He fights for us.

In the midst of trial, our beliefs are put to the test. It is what Scripture speaks about in being refined by fire. In the fire, what our heart really believes is put to the test.

I believe in the Lord. I believe that he loves us and that I love Him. I believe that He is sovereign over all. I believe that his mercy saves us from our destruction and that His grace allows us to truly know Him. I believe that His mercies are new every morning. I beleive that He has ordained our days and that nothing catches Him off guard. Everything that happens occurs in accordance with His plan. I belive that He can redeem everything. There is no wrong that He is unable to make right.

I believe that Jesus loves me. I believe that Jesus loves you. I believe that he died, he conquered death and everything that He says is true. I believe that He is the one hope that does not disappoint.

I believe in the Holy Spirit. I believe that He dwells in me, is my constant companion and my closest friend. I believe that no matter what tomorrow holds, the Holy Spirit is more than capable to leading me through.

I believe that when trouble comes I am never alone in it. I am never the underdog because I have the champion on my side.

I believe that the church is the one true hope of the world. I believe that even the gates of hell can not stand against it. I believe in heaven. I believe that my destiny is to stand face to face with my Savior. I believe that this life is but a whisper, a moment and the Lord has eternity awaiting me. I believe that in heaven, there will be no more COVID, no more cancer, no more tears, no more pain. There will be no vaccines, no face masks, no social distancing because the stronger one, God Himself is on the throne.

I believe that every toungue, tribe and nation will be gathered to worship. I believe that there will be no more trouble.

I know that this year is not what we have expected. I do not know what next year will hold. What I do know is that God will still be in control. Jesus will still be pursuing you and I and every individual who does not know Him. The Holy Spirit will still be my constant guide. He will still be more than enough. If I am here next year, still taking breath, it is because my days are not done in accordance with God’s plan