Habakkuk

Habakkuk – one who embraces another

C1.5 miracles “Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe...”

C2.4 “...the just shall live by faith.”

• Habakkuk asked, “Why?” - (1.2) – dangerous territory when faith is discarded for human reasoning...
• Although his questioning of those seemingly “getting by with sin” was valid – that isn't the whole picture.
• Hard to maintain faith when it looks as if it's the wicked folks who are prospering in one way or another.

Does that change the fact that sin is till wrong in the sight of God and that He is going to judge EVERY sin? No, of course not. He has not changed His standards or procedures. Even if sin is not judged right away, be assured judgment will come.

Satan's tool of mass destruction:

You do not believe that a God of love would permit evil in the world, do you?

Do you think a loving God, kind in heart, would permit suffering in the world?

Same lie the devil has had since the beginning in Gen 3; he told Eve. “Do you mean to tell me that God doesn not want you to eath of that tree? Why?...I can't believe that a good God would forbid it...”

He enjoys destroying your confidence in the goodness of God.

God's answer to sin in Habakkuk's day: “Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe...” (1.5)

The Lord “is not slack concerning His promise...” If He said it, you can depend on it. In this passage, God is reassuring Habakkuk that He will “take care of business.”

But first, one must have “faith.”

Read again, 2.4 “the just shall live by faith.” - quoted 3X in NT, (Rom 1.17, Gal 3.11, Heb 10.38)

Back to the meaning of Habakkuk's name – one who embraces another.

Faith is one way the Lord “embraces” His children – He gives faith to trust Him, no matter the circumstance. Remember Job, “though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13.15) and (Job 1.21); “the Lord giveth and taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” Always, (Rom 8.28) “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”

Next, a sticky situation – what would you do?

The Nelson family at church have been through some incredibly difficult times. Mrs. Nelson is still recovering from a serious car accident. The older daughter recently diagnosed with lupus. A year ago, Mr. Nelson lost his job, and he still has not found full-time employment. The younger son, who is in Stuart's grade, recently was suspended from school for pulling the fire alarm. He is continually in trouble at school. Stuart honestly doesn't know how the mother and father cope with him.

Yet, what Stuart doesn't understand is that despite all these difficulties, the family is in church every Sunday. The mom and dad, particularly, really seem to be worshiping and praising God. Stuart doesn't understand why. He's not so sure that he could praise God if his dad lost his job or if his mom was in a serious car accident.

• How do you think Stuart needs to respond to his doubts about God?
  • If you are unsure, read Habakkuk 3:17-19 to find out how to answer.
  • ANSWER: It's good to talk with your parents or pastor when you have doubts about God. The best response to accepting bad times, is to cling to the fact that God is in control. Like Habakkuk, despirte the circumstances, one should “rejoice in the Lord...(and)joy in the God of (your) salvation.” 3.18
• Why does God allow such awful things to happen in one family?
• Where is He anyway?
• When have you wondered why God allows awful things to happen to people?
• Why do you think God allows suffering?
• How do you handle your doubts about God?
• How can watching a family going through difficult times yet still praising God strengthen your faith?