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I have been preaching through the Minor Prophets over the last several weeks. Recently, we looked at some important verses in Habakkuk. It is in Habakkuk where we hear those great statements like, "the righteous shall live by faith"-2:4, and the comforting words, "the Lord is in his holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before him,"-2:20.
It is in Habakkuk where the prophet verbalizes the questions we all have from time to time when life doesn't seem to make sense. Questions like "Where is God?" and "How long, O God do we have to keep calling you for help?" and "Why do bad people seem to prosper and the righteous and good people seem to suffer?"
Though there are no easy answers to these kinds of questions, God answers Habakkuk with statements of great encouragement. Though we may have immediate answers to our prayers, God says to His prophet, the time will come when I will right all wrongs. The God of heaven will make things right! Evil will not always prosper, even though it may seem that way, at times.
There is a powerful message at the end of the book, which must be heard by believers. From this passage, Hanna Hurnard wrote a book many years ago which ought to be required reading by all Christians. The book is entitled "Hinds Feet in High Places." It is a story about a Christian woman named Much Afraid. She was so fearful she couldn't even take a step outside of her house. However, from her window she could view the mountaintops and very much wanted to go there, except for her fears. One day the Lord came to her door and invited her to journey to the mountain. He also introduced her to her two companions for the journey. Their names were Sorrow and Suffering. Though still afraid, she took them by the hand and began her journey up to the mountaintop. It's a story of trust. It is in trusting faith that we not only overcome our fears, but in the process, God is able to use us to bring Him honor and glory along the way.
"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, tough the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."-Habakkuk 3:17-19
Keep on trusting!
Tom Nuckels |