Habakkuk (insert title)

I love SoHo

It is so good to be with you all this morning. There are many faces here that I recognize but there are a few that I haven’t met. I was talking to Arturo yesterday and I think the last time I was at South Houston was in 2015. I know I haven’t been here for 5-6 years, but I want you all to know that I love this church. I think of this church often, I pray for the elders of this church often. The people of this church shepherd me to love God. The people of this church demonstrated to me God’s love in some of my lowest moments and in the high points. This church supported me when I went to study at Emmaus Bible College via prayers, phone calls, and text messages. Because of the influence you all have had in my life is why I think of you often.

I rejoice with you all when I hear of the ministry opportunities you all get involved in. I rejoice with you all when I hear of someone getting baptized at the church. I also mourn with you all when there is loss. Brother Ruben was an elder of this church who’s love for the Lord and His word was evident all the time. I will miss him with you. I love South Houston and I have been encouraged to hear how even in difficult times you all are serving, preaching, and ministering through the word. Keep on and lean on the Lord always.

About Me

Since I haven’t been here since before I got married, I thought it would be appropriate to see the Lord’s work in my life for a few minutes. I married my wife Laura in 2015. I was still a student at Emmaus studying Music Education and Bible/Theology and she was working full time at the college. I graduated in 2017 and the Lord clearly led me to teach music at a Christian school. After my time at the Christian school the Lord very clearly led me back to Emmaus to work in the Student Affairs department as the Director of Campus Life. I was able to mentor student leaders, worship leaders, and opportunity to disciple young men. In 2019 I received my Master’s degree which allowed me to teach a couple of courses which gave me more interactions with students. My job was to be an instructor outside of the classroom by programming different areas of campus life. I most recently switched roles the academic side of the college. I work with faculty and help train and support the faculty of the college and I also direct the online school “Emmaus Global Campus” which allows students to take our courses online.

The Lord has truly blessed me with more than I deserve, but He has also shaped me through various trails. Our Lord blessed Laura and I with a baby girl last April. This is Luisa Jane who is 15 months now, but she has 6 other siblings who we didn’t get to meet. Those were very dark times in which I would question what God was doing. Why does He allow these things to happen. It would seem like sometimes God is just watching without acting. If you don’t remember anything from today is that God is approachable, and is always working, although not as we would like.

Habakkuk Intro

The prophet Habakkuk had an experience where he questioned God’s activity, or lack thereof. The book of Habakkuk gives us the ammunition to know how to approach God when things aren’t the way the seem they should be, and how to respond in faith.

I’d like to begin like some of my favorite movies begin, with the end. For example, the movie Forrest Gump begins with the protagonist Forrest sitting on a bench next to a stranger and then goes on to give his story, and throughout the movie, you keep wondering, “how did he get here”? I hope to give you the same effect as we look at the dialogue between Habakkuk and God in the small 3 chapter book. Let us begin our time in this book by reading Habakkuk 3:17-19.

17 Aunque la higuera no florezca, Ni en las vides haya frutos, Aunque falte el producto del olivo, Y los labrados no den mantenimiento, Y las ovejas sean quitadas de la majada, Y no haya vacas en los corrales; 18 Con todo, yo me alegraré en Jehová, Y me gozaré en el Dios de mi salvación. 19 Jehová el Señor es mi fortaleza, El cual hace mis pies como de ciervas, Y en mis alturas me hace andar.

Reading these words we could say, what man of faith. He can say that in famine, and in need, he can rejoice in the Lord and praise God for His salvation. Perhaps you read these words and feel convicted, “could I say those words?” maybe you read those words and you realize that you haven’t fully placed your faith in God and realize that you need to repent, or maybe you read these words and you wonder, “how did Habakkuk get to this point?”

We will look at this book in two sections. The dialogue between Habakkuk and God in chapters 1-2 and then see Habakkuk’s prayer, praise, and pledge to God in chapter 3.

The Problem - Injustice and Corruption (God’s silence)

The prophet is very concerned. He raises the problem in chapter one.

​1 La profecía que vio el profeta Habacuc. 2 ¿Hasta cuándo, oh Jehová, clamaré, y no oirás; y daré voces a ti a causa de la violencia, y no salvarás? 3 ¿Por qué me haces ver iniquidad, y haces que vea molestia? Destrucción y violencia están delante de mí, y pleito y contienda se levantan. 4 Por lo cual la ley es debilitada, y el juicio no sale según la verdad; por cuanto el impío asedia al justo, por eso sale torcida la justicia. Habakkuk 1:1-4