Book of Habakkuk - Whats God doing?

Doesnt this month seem to have flown by so slow?

a lot has happened

The theme this month was Justification

What Happened?

Jazz Movie

HS Retreat

Message on Justification

Purim

Baby Caleb

Jazz movie - taught us about doing the right thing

HS retreat - about having a loyal heart

Justification - Justification in no way is accomplished in our efforts

Purim - a fun Jewish Holiday showing God’s protection over His people

Baby Caleb - we been praying hard for him

Each Month we have had some plan and a theme

but like this month things happen

we may try to organize like we did next month

but chances are things are going to get messy

things wont go the way you expected

Given our last month, months, year, years

I think we should talk about it

Things dont always go our way

Its happened to you

Its happened to Royals

Its happened to me

Its happened to Levi

Its happening to Danny

Life throws surprises

many react in frustration, bitterness, anger, fear, whatever

Some life surprises are bigger then others

and often those who have experienced the big life surprises

listen and help those with smaller life surprises

and boy has it been interesting to note that many times those with smaller

life surprises freak out more then those with bigger life surprises

Lemme get real then we will turn to the book of Habakkuk

My wife and had a huge life surprise

actually the opposite a death surprise

and by Gods strength we rise up every day to do the call we are called to do

and when we do

you hear people upset over missing a mini golf trip

or so and so hurt my feelings

and my parents make me do things i dont wana

Im not going to say get over it

“but its hard to hear God’s voice when youve already decided what you want Him to say”

life is always going to throw you surprises

some huge some small

better to start expecting the unexpected now

better to be content in Jesus now

better to be resting in Gods peace now

better to be thankful now

better to be joyful today

because like Habbakuk

your life is going to witness ugly things!

so go ahead and turn to Habakkuk

Habakkuk was a prophet just after the 10 tribes of Israel

had been taken captive by Assyria in 722BC (2 Kings 17)

you can read about Habakkuks’s place in Bible history

(2 Kings 18:1-20:21; 2 Chronicles 29:1-32:33)

around the time of King Hezekiah

and when worls empporer Assyrian king Sennacherib

was taunting the 2 remaining Tribes of God people in Judah

So Habakkuk had witnessed the 10 tribes of Israel get destroyed by Israel

and is now seeing the other 2 remainng tribes of Judah get their lives threatened

Life has thrown him some major unfortunutie surprises

So lets go look at his reaction:

Habakkuk 1:1–4 NKJV

1 The burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw. 2 O Lord, how long shall I cry, And You will not hear? Even cry out to You, “Violence!” And You will not save. 3 Why do You show me iniquity, And cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; There is strife, and contention arises. 4 Therefore the law is powerless, And justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.

Habakkuk (Judah) - Habakkuk questions why God allowed his people to suffer, and be destroyed

God answers in verse 4-11

Habakkuk 1:4–11 NKJV

4 Therefore the law is powerless, And justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore perverse judgment proceeds. 5 “Look among the nations and watch— Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days Which you would not believe, though it were told you. 6 For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans, A bitter and hasty nation Which marches through the breadth of the earth, To possess dwelling places that are not theirs. 7 They are terrible and dreadful; Their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves. 8 Their horses also are swifter than leopards, And more fierce than evening wolves. Their chargers charge ahead; Their cavalry comes from afar; They fly as the eagle that hastens to eat. 9 “They all come for violence; Their faces are set like the east wind. They gather captives like sand. 10 They scoff at kings, And princes are scorned by them. They deride every stronghold, For they heap up earthen mounds and seize it. 11 Then his mind changes, and he transgresses; He commits offense, Ascribing this power to his god.”

Basically God answers back with I got a plan

How would you react?

Your child is suffering

God says dont worry I got a plan?

Well what is it?

I said no mini golf friday

then said dont worry i got a plan

well what is it?

Life throws you something you dont expect or like

saying dont worry i got a plan

makes you go well what is it?

Whats making this better?

or even better fix it now!

make it right now!

oh how that is a cry of a broken and hurting heart

make it right now

thats what Habakkuk does in verse 12 to chapter 2

Habakkuk 1:12–2:1 NLT

12 O Lord my God, my Holy One, you who are eternal— surely you do not plan to wipe us out? O Lord, our Rock, you have sent these Babylonians to correct us, to punish us for our many sins. 13 But you are pure and cannot stand the sight of evil. Will you wink at their treachery? Should you be silent while the wicked swallow up people more righteous than they? 14 Are we only fish to be caught and killed? Are we only sea creatures that have no leader? 15 Must we be strung up on their hooks and caught in their nets while they rejoice and celebrate? 16 Then they will worship their nets and burn incense in front of them. “These nets are the gods who have made us rich!” they will claim. 17 Will you let them get away with this forever? Will they succeed forever in their heartless conquests? 1 I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the Lord says and how he will answer my complaint.

Habakkuk is calling out the evil and saying

what my boys say when something is broken “fix it”

Fix it God

Heres something broken fix it

Good people are suffering God fix it

check out how God responds in verses 2-20

Habakkuk 2:2–20 NLT

2 Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. 3 This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. 4 “Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God. 5 Wealth is treacherous, and the arrogant are never at rest. They open their mouths as wide as the grave, and like death, they are never satisfied. In their greed they have gathered up many nations and swallowed many peoples. 6 “But soon their captives will taunt them. They will mock them, saying, ‘What sorrow awaits you thieves! Now you will get what you deserve! You’ve become rich by extortion, but how much longer can this go on?’ 7 Suddenly, your debtors will take action. They will turn on you and take all you have, while you stand trembling and helpless. 8 Because you have plundered many nations; now all the survivors will plunder you. You committed murder throughout the countryside and filled the towns with violence. 9 “What sorrow awaits you who build big houses with money gained dishonestly! You believe your wealth will buy security, putting your family’s nest beyond the reach of danger. 10 But by the murders you committed, you have shamed your name and forfeited your lives. 11 The very stones in the walls cry out against you, and the beams in the ceilings echo the complaint. 12 “What sorrow awaits you who build cities with money gained through murder and corruption! 13 Has not the Lord of Heaven’s Armies promised that the wealth of nations will turn to ashes? They work so hard, but all in vain! 14 For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the Lord. 15 “What sorrow awaits you who make your neighbors drunk! You force your cup on them so you can gloat over their shameful nakedness. 16 But soon it will be your turn to be disgraced. Come, drink and be exposed! Drink from the cup of the Lord’s judgment, and all your glory will be turned to shame. 17 You cut down the forests of Lebanon. Now you will be cut down. You destroyed the wild animals, so now their terror will be yours. You committed murder throughout the countryside and filled the towns with violence. 18 “What good is an idol carved by man, or a cast image that deceives you? How foolish to trust in your own creation— a god that can’t even talk! 19 What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols, ‘Wake up and save us!’ To speechless stone images you say, ‘Rise up and teach us!’ Can an idol tell you what to do? They may be overlaid with gold and silver, but they are lifeless inside. 20 But the Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him.”

God says I will make it right in my own time

so be patient in verse 3

and shut your mouth in verse 20

God sits on His throne

He isnt blind

Dont fear the plagues

fear God

Look we know Rev 21:4 is coming

Revelation 21:4 NKJV

4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

One Day you will see why God made you wait

now see how Habakkuk responds chapter 3

Habakkuk 3 NLT

1 This prayer was sung by the prophet Habakkuk: 2 I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy. 3 I see God moving across the deserts from Edom, the Holy One coming from Mount Paran. His brilliant splendor fills the heavens, and the earth is filled with his praise. 4 His coming is as brilliant as the sunrise. Rays of light flash from his hands, where his awesome power is hidden. 5 Pestilence marches before him; plague follows close behind. 6 When he stops, the earth shakes. When he looks, the nations tremble. He shatters the everlasting mountains and levels the eternal hills. He is the Eternal One! 7 I see the people of Cushan in distress, and the nation of Midian trembling in terror. 8 Was it in anger, Lord, that you struck the rivers and parted the sea? Were you displeased with them? No, you were sending your chariots of salvation! 9 You brandished your bow and your quiver of arrows. You split open the earth with flowing rivers. 10 The mountains watched and trembled. Onward swept the raging waters. The mighty deep cried out, lifting its hands in submission. 11 The sun and moon stood still in the sky as your brilliant arrows flew and your glittering spear flashed. 12 You marched across the land in anger and trampled the nations in your fury. 13 You went out to rescue your chosen people, to save your anointed ones. You crushed the heads of the wicked and stripped their bones from head to toe. 14 With his own weapons, you destroyed the chief of those who rushed out like a whirlwind, thinking Israel would be easy prey. 15 You trampled the sea with your horses, and the mighty waters piled high. 16 I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear. My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror. I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us. 17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. (For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)

when things dont go your way blessed be the name of the Lord

when you feel pain blessed be the name of the Lord

when life hits you with unexpected surprises blessed be the name of the Lord

when so and so says something hurtful blessed be the name of the Lord

as Paul said

Philippians 4:11–13 AMP

11 Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. 12 I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want. 13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].

Philippians 4:13 NKJV

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

in God’s strength i will rise up

not coward down. not back down, not give up, not fail,

I will not lose, I will not stop

because I am not my own strength

Im a weak, whining, complaining, hurt, and broken person

but

my strength comes from God

and you or the powers of hell can stop me

from what God wants me to do

Dannys wife Traciesaid something so powerful

while in the room with her son all hooked

Theres peace and joy in when you surrender

and give it all to God

expect the un expected

dont get shaken by its trials

let your confidence and strength be from God

better to be content in Jesus now

better to be resting in Gods peace now

better to be thankful now

better to be joyful today

Life is short

Death is sure

sin in cause

Christ is the cure

you belong to the Kings of Kings

so talk like it

and walk like it