Habakkuk 1:1-11
1 The prophecy that Habakkuk the prophet received.
Habakkuk’s Complaint
2 How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? 3 Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. 4 Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.
The LORD’s Answer
5 “Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. 6 I am raising up the Babylonians that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwellings not their own. 7 They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor. 8 Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves at dusk. Their cavalry gallops headlong; their horsemen come from afar. They fly like an eagle swooping to devour; 9 they all come intent on violence. Their hordes advance like a desert wind and gather prisoners like sand. 10 They mock kings and scoff at rulers. They laugh at all fortified cities; by building earthen ramps they capture them. 11 Then they sweep past like the wind and go on-guilty people, whose own strength is their god.”
Background
Habakkuk - Questioning God about his difficult circumstances.
1. How long should I wait? (v.2)
2. Why are these things happening in life? (v.3)
Our Questions
1. What is God up to?
2. Why is our life so hard even though we are trying to seek the kingdom?
God’s ways are often mysterious.
1. His inaction (vv 2-3)
How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen?
Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen?
2. His unexpected answers (v 5
For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. 6 I am raising up the Babylonians that ruthless and impetuous people,
3. His choice of instrument (v.6)
6 I am raising up the Babylonians that ruthless and impetuous people,
God’s ways are often misunderstood.
1. By careless religious peopl
2. By the world
3. By the prophet himself
4 Biblical Principles to remember
1. God is in control over our lives.
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
2. God has a plan over our lives.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
3. God has His own timetable.
2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise
Habakkuk 2:3
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
4. God is establishing the kingdom of God.
