Last week we were introduced to the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk and his concerns for the directions that his culture had taken. At the end of the short, three-chapter book bearing his name, Habakkuk comes to conclusion about how he will approach the situation. His conclusion comes after conversations with God about His plans for the judgment of evil. In verse16 of chapter 3 Habakkuk says, “I heard and my inward parts trembled.” He had heard God’s answers to his complaints. Judgment was coming. Great trouble was coming. God was aware of it all, and action was planned. Habakkuk asks, “How long?” God’s response is basically that Habakkuk will see it at God’s appointed timing.
There is a central principle in this prophetic book. It is found in chapter 2, verse 4, “…The just shall live by faith…”. In other words, a spiritually whole life must be completely faith based. Habakkuk 2:4 is referenced in the New Testament in three places, each in support of the idea of God’s free grace in salvation – in Romans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38, and in Galatians 3:11. Righteousness is granted based on faith, and a righteous person continues on the righteous path by living by faith thereafter.
The concluding thought of Habakkuk’s journey of faith is rejoicing in the God of his salvation and exulting in the Lord Himself, not in his circumstances. He has come to the joyous conclusion that… God is God! God is still totally in charge. It is in God Himself that Habakkuk finds strength for life. So he says in Habakkuk 3:19, “Jehovah, the Lord, is my strength.”
For us this translates to, come to Christ by faith, and daily live by faith in Him, live in close fellowship with Him. Christ loves you and gave Himself for you.
Stability in life can be found by trusting God with your journey – start to finish.
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