Habakkuk ~ Chapter Two

"For the earth will be filled with

the knowledge of the glory of the LORD,

as the waters cover the sea."

(Habakkuk 2:14)

Morning Meditation: Read Habakkuk 2:1-4

The revelation that Habakkuk received from the Lord perplexed him. He had lodged his complaints to God at first because he was, "troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, and inside were fears" (2 Corinthians 7:5b). But now he found himself at a loss as he tried to reconcile his understanding of God's character with His workings in the world. The prophet turned to the Lord once again in prayer, and having presented his case (1:12-17), he waited expectantly for the Lord's response. "I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected" (v. 1). In times of trouble, it has been said that the best remedy for a disturbed and discouraged heart is a renewed vision of the glory of God. So the servant of God went into his sanctuary to be alone with God and wait upon Him for His reply. "When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me - until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end" (Psalm 73:16-17). If Habakkuk had continued in his doubt, he would have been tempted to abandon the faith; instead, he withdrew from the crowds and closed himself up with God, to silence all the disturbances raging in the streets as well as in the depths of his heart, so he could be ready to hear the voice of God and be prepared to obey whatever the Lord said. "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!" (Psalm 27:13-14).

"Write the vision

and make it plain on tablets,

that he may run who reads it.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time;

but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.

Though it tarries, wait for it;

because it will surely come, it will not tarry."

(Habakkuk 2:2-3)

God commanded Habakkuk to stand guard as a watchman for the nations, and he humbly submitted to what the Lord asked of him. The message the Lord gave his obedient servant was a vision which he was instructed to write down plainly so that everyone could read it. Typically, prophets spoke the word they received from the Lord, but the Lord purposed for this vision be written down so that it would not be forgotten, for it spoke of a future time. Not only was the vision a promise of the time when the proud Babylonians would be brought low and His people's captivity would finally end, but it also spoke of the appointed time when the Lord Jesus Christ would return to the earth (Hebrews 10:37). The watchword the Lord gave His watchman at the time would provide blessed assurance for all who would come to saving faith in Jesus Christ, encouraging them to dwell ever nearer, close to God, living in utter dependence upon His Word and His will, and in hopeful expectation of the fulfillment of all that He has promised: "But the just shall live by his faith" (v. 4b). The life of the believer who trusts in the faithfulness of God, depends fully upon God's Word, and finds their satisfaction in God alone, stands in stark contrast to the proud Babylonians who trusted in their own resources and strength, never were satisfied, and who finally met their end. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written "The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:16-17). We have a responsibility, as modern day "watchmen", to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel, calling people to repentance and faith. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). May we glean from Habakkuk's example and not allow our feelings to hinder our approach to God, but commit to make the time each day to get alone with God and read His promises found in His Word, so that we can draw strength from the Lord, and run freely in the path of His commands. "But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31). Let us praise God for the mighty transformative work He is accomplishing within us as we live by faith, and give Him glory for the powerful work He accomplishes through us as we trust Him and obey what He has called us to do. May we delight to do His will no matter what He asks, simply because He asks it of us. May our one desire be to live and walk by faith each day in the company of the One our heart loves, knowing that nothing can truly satisfy or fill our heart but the Lord Jesus Christ Himself!

"Therefore do not cast away your confidence,

which has great reward.

For you have need of endurance,

so that after you have done the will of God,

you may receive the promise:

"For yet a little while,

and He who is coming will come and will not tarry.

Now the just shall live by faith;

but if anyone draws back,

My soul has no pleasure in him."

But we are not of those who draw back to perdition,

but of those who believe to the saving of the soul."

(Hebrews 10:37-39)

Read about 2020 The Year of Divine Government HERE

In case you missed our first journey this year -

Just click on the title:

Satisfy our soul's desire ~ a 12-day journey through Ecclesiastes

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