Habakkuk 3 - Introduction

Waiting Patiently On The Lord

Habakkuk Three

Habakkuk is a dialog between the prophet and God. There are five brief exchanges recorded in the book. Habakkuk saw the wickedness of the people and he asked God where He was and why He was not doing something about the situation. In the second part God told the prophet that He was raising up the Chaldeans that would conquer the Jews. In the third part of the book Habakkuk asked God how He could use a nation more wicked than the Jews to bring punishment on His own people. In the fourth exchange God assured Habakkuk that all the wicked will be judged, including the Chaldeans. God pronounced five woes upon them for their evil. The book closes with the fifth discourse as Habakkuk responded to God's assertion of coming judgment.

Habakkuk stood before God in deep devotion. He asked the Lord's to revive His work among the people and punish the wicked Chaldeans. The prayer of the prophet was that which should be the prayer of us all, a prayer for mercy. Troubles will come. When they do it is good to remember how God has helped you and blessed you in the past. If Jehovah delivered in the past He will use His power to help today. The very course of nature was changed as God worked to the salvation of His people. God has done many wonders but nothing compares with what took place as Jesus died on the cross for our sin. God has always been concerned about His people.

Habakkuk trembled at the punishment that would come upon the Jews. However, he willingly accepted God's will with complete trust. "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments." (Habakkuk 3:18-19) Let us all keep our focus on the heavenly, not upon what may or may not happen with worldly thing. We must come to understand the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man to our great Creator. God will not forsake you when troubles come.