As I mentioned yesterday, my husband and I are teaching the high school Sunday school class every other Sunday morning through summer to give the youth leaders some time off. For the past 2 lessons we have been teaching from the book of Habakkuk. This is my husband's favorite book of the Bible. Before we were married I had never studied Habakkuk in much detail. However I have learned a lot from this small 3 chapter book. I thought I would share what I have learned with you over the next four weeks. Today I will give a brief introduction and overview of the entire book. Next Tuesday I will cover Habakkuk's first prayer and God's answer. The Tuesday after that we will look at Habakkuk's second prayer and God's answer to that complaint. On the fourth Tuesday we will look at Habakkuk's last prayer of praise.
How many of you have had questions in your life? I'm sure we all have asked how, why, and when about things that are on our hearts. Right now I am questioning when God will answer the desire of my heart and bring me home full time.
"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."
Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?
Destruction and violence are before me;
there is strife, and conflict abounds."
Habakkuk was a man who also sought answers from the Lord. He saw suffering all around him and it broke his heart. He begins the book asking God why all these bad things are happening. God then answers him and says that things are going to get worse. Definitely not the answer you want to hear. Habakkuk then goes on to ask more questions and makes a point of telling the Lord that he will wait for his answers. God then answers the questions and gives Habakkuk hope.
"I will stand at my watch
and station myself on the ramparts;
I will look to see what he will say to me,
and what answer I am to give to this complaint."
and station myself on the ramparts;
I will look to see what he will say to me,
and what answer I am to give to this complaint."
Habakkuk ends his book with a third prayer full of praise. He believes and trusts that God will follow through with His promises.
"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 sets an example that we should still follow today. God does hear our cries and is faithful to answer us. Are you ready for His answers?
"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."
I would love to hear any insights that you might have from reading Habakkuk!
Please share in the comments.
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| Homemake By Choice |
One passage that He has kept reminding me of this month includes part of one you shared.
ReplyDeleteThough the fig tree may not blossom,Nor fruit be on the vines;Though the labor of the olive may fail,And the fields yield no food;Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,And there be no herd in the stalls—YET I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. (Hab. 3: 17-18)
It goes hand in hand wonderfully with 1 Thess. 5:16-18 - rejoice ALWAYS - even when times are tough and trials are abounding.
Thank you for another sweet reminder of these encouraging and uplifting Bible verses.
Isn't it amazing how God uses so many things to speak to us? I too found a post this week that had the exact words God was whispering to me. Thank you so much for sharing with me!
DeleteConsider reading Hind's Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. It's a fabulous companion to the book of Habakkuk.
ReplyDeleteI definitely will. Thank you for your suggestion!
ReplyDelete