Habakkuk

INTRO

Israel in rebellion - Babylon on the way - judgement coming.

Why? Idols are easier. Idols don’t rebuke. They are echo-chambers of the worshiper.

False religion turns what we sinfully want to be true into Gospel.

“Abortion is healthcare” “Wealth is evil (except when I have it)” “theft is justice” “God’s law is oppressive”

What were the faithful remnant to do?

“Hab 2:4 - The just shall live by faith.

Hab’s first burden

Hab 1:1 - O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?

NOTE - not challenging God’s faithfulness - but his timing “HOW LONG”

APPLICATION: We can say this today.

Justice is perverted - law paralyzed - the wiked seems to be winning? - the church is being persecuted - the flaunting of bloodshed and perversion

this bothers me… and I’m not holy. How can God stand it?

How can he not pour out his wrath right now?

How many more murdered? Babies slaughtered? Inheritances stolen?

God’s response? Hab 1:5 “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.

God assures Hab - he is on the job - he will not be mocked.

and the moment that should fill us with awe and fear - “I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told” OFT MISQUOTED - this verse is terrifying.

What’s happening - the Babylonians are coming. Horses faster than leopards - horsmen like eagles - they are coming. They mock your fortresses - will make short work - they are coming.

and the height of this judgement? What is the most unbelievable? The temple is destroyed. BIG DEAL

no more sacrifices. no more atonement? Is this the end?

BUT WHAT ABOUT GOD’s PROMISES

APPLICATION - We can be found in similar situations.

God has promised to sanctify us - to give us victory over our sin - yet we fall. And he can seem so far from us...

Maybe like Peter - fall into temptation because we were too proud to pray.

Like David - murder/adultry.

Thomas - we doubt him.

Maybe we just won’t take hold of his promises.

BUT HERE”S THE DEAL - despite our failures, we can’t think GOD unfaithful. WHY?

Because he’s given us his spirit - downpayment analogy.

we have a guarantee - God won’t forsake his Spirit - he will finish his work.

HAB’s SECOND BURDEN

But… Babylon is worse than us.

Hab 1:14 You (God) make mankind like the fish of the sea, like crawling things that have no ruler.

no real national boundries. no real nations or armies in place… except for a few...

Hab 1:15 He (Babylon) brings all of them up with a hook; he drags them out with his net; he gathers them in his dragnet; so he rejoices and is glad.

Babylon was empire building - plunddering - expanding - genoxide, slavery, the lot.

BUT GOD ASSURES - They will get their judgement - they are heaping up wrath for themselves.

APPLICATION - Sometimes God’s ways can be confusing BECAUSE he uses evil to accomplish good “WHAT YOU MEANT FOR EVIL...”

unbelievers mock God when the evil is at it’s height. I’m sure Joseph heard a bit of that as well. They don’t realize that God is in control of all of it, and it’s all working exactlly how he desires.

“Aren’t you watching the news? Havent you seen the stats? You’re losing!”

no. I know the promises of God, and I know how this all shakes out in the end.

and because of that… not lose heart - remain faithful.....

What’s the ultimate end?

Hab 2:14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Babylon’s empire building - is really paving hte way for God’s kingdom. Roman roads?

Hab is quoting Isaiah 11. The promises of Christ ruling over the nations. The wolf lying down with the lamb. The global revival.

Hab remembers - and he holds fast - and reminds the faithful.

SO WHAT DO WE DO IN THE MEANTIME?

Hab 2:4 - the righteous shall live by FAITH

we look forward to the promises. we hold fast to his commands. and we laugh in the face of the enemy. “Your God is beaten” no… he has never been. and he never will be.

AND BY FAITH WE PRAY -

Hab has an intersting arc to it. “God judge them!” “Oh… you won’t believe it when you see it...”

And then Hab prays…

3:2 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.

that’s a prayer of faith.

God you’ve told me whats coming - I know it’ll be full - your promises will be fulfilled - your wrath will pour out - but please, remember mercy.

We should pray this way today. God’s wrath will be poured out - judgement -

So let us pray in faith - BUT ALSO

LET US SING IN FAITH- Hab was a worship leader -

Hab 3:17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines,the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.19 God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places…….To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.

my desire? is that the sound of our Sundays isn’t the instruments - but rather our voices. We drown the band out.