The book of Habakkuk is Narrative History and displays Prophetic Oracle. Habakkuk wrote it approximately 612-589 B.C. just before the fall of Judah in the Southern Kingdom. Key personalities are Habakkuk and the Babylonians. As is true of the many other prophets, Habakkuk is a short book. The information in it was vital since it carried God’s message to His people. Its purpose was that Habakkuk was announcing a familiar message of judgment. He was identifying the wickedness and sin of Judah before them. Habakkuk declared that God is the “Rock” (1:2) and that they would be judged.
The light of Divine favour bestowed upon Habakkuk was the source of much perplexity of mind and distress of soul to him. This paradox is common in Christian experience. The prophet's mission of mercy was a burden to himself.
A BURDEN OF ENLIGHTENMENT - He was:
1. A spectator of evil; looking upon the great and terrible disorders that devastated his country.
2. An inspired spectator of evil. "God showed him iniquity," etc. To see, in the light of heaven. the fearful ramifications of evil in society is an essential condition of Christian service.
3. A troubled spectator of evil. His heart strings vibrated with jarring discords at the touch of the workers of iniquity.
A BURDEN OF PRAYER - With a vivid consciousness of God's almighty power the prophet called upon Him to interpose and save His people. But days rolled on and lengthened into months, and still evil abounded. Oh, the burden of prayers unheard! Oh, the burden of unanswered prayers l Oh, the burden of delay! The heart grows sick with hope deferred.
A BURDEN OF DISCIPLINE - Designed —
1. As a test to see if they will continue to work and witness for God.
2. Still trust in the Lord, even in the presence of the great mystery of iniquity. The burden is —
For training, that God's servants may become strong in faith, giving glory to God.
(Joseph Willcox)
: — We can see how appropriate is the word "burden" used by the prophets to describe their gift and duty. The obligation laid on them often involved strain and danger. And yet it was a glorious privilege to be commissioned by God, to act for Him, to be His mouthpiece to the people. Habakkuk's burden was the sight of the general evil and corruption prevalent in the Holy Land, among the chosen people. What burden can be heavier than this, to see evil prevail among God's people, and to be unable to remedy it? (S. Baring-Gould.)
I WILL STAND MY WATCH - Meet with the Lord regularly in a special place of prayer. The definition of paga, the Hebrew word for intercession, is "a chance encounter or an accidental intersecting." When we are poised quietly before God in prayer, we receive spontaneous thoughts that come from God.
I WILL WATCH AND SEE - Look for God to speak to you in dreams and visions. Listen for the word of the Lord: "he will say to me." Keep a journal of things that God says, "Write the vision." Wait for God to bring it to pass: "It will surely come."
SEEK GOD'S PURPOSE ABOVE YOUR OWN - 2 Tim 1:9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, NKJV
RELATIONSHIP - Pursuing a deeper relationship with God and others
Ps 63:1 O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. NKJV
PROTECTION - Divine protection from evil
PROTECTION - Divine protection from evil
Ps 1:6 The righteous are guided and protected by the LORD, but the evil are on the way to their doom.
GUIDANCE - Seeking direction from God
GUIDANCE - Seeking direction from God
Ps 37:23 - The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.
NKJV
ENCOURAGEMENT - Rom 14:19 NKJV - Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
KINDNESS - Eph 4:32 NKJV - And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
FUN - Eph 5:18-19 NKJV - And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
ENCOURAGEMENT - Rom 14:19 NKJV - Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
KINDNESS - Eph 4:32 NKJV - And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
FUN - Eph 5:18-19 NKJV - And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
The person who lives in right relationship with God does it by embracing what God arranges for him. Doing things for God is the opposite of entering into what God does for you. Habakkuk had it right: “The person who believes God, is set right by God—and that’s the real life.” Rule-keeping does not naturally evolve into living by faith, but only perpetuates itself in more and more rule-keeping, a fact observed in Scripture: “The one who does these things [rule-keeping] continues to live by them.”
~Bits and Pieces on Study of Habakkuk
Father, in Jesus’ name, I thank You that I shall prosper and be in health, even as my soul prospers. I have the mind of Christ, the Messiah, and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. I trust in You, Lord, with all of my heart; I lean not unto my own understanding, but in all of my ways I acknowledge You, and You shall direct my paths.
Today I submit myself to Your Word, which exposes and sifts and analyzes and judges the very thoughts and purposes of my heart. (For the weapons of my warfare are not carnal, but mighty through You to the pulling down of strongholds — intimidation, fears, doubts, unbelief, and failure.) I refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the (true) knowledge of God; and I lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One.
Today I shall be transformed by the renewing of my mind, that I may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Your Word, Lord, shall not depart out of my mouth; but I shall meditate on it day and night, that I may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then I shall make my way prosperous, then I shall have good success.
My thoughts are the thoughts of the diligent, which tend only to plenteousness. Therefore, I am not anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and *petition, with thanksgiving, I present my requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.
Today I fix my mind on whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious. If there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, I will think on and weigh and take account of these things.
Today I roll my works upon You, Lord — I commit and trust them wholly to You; [You will cause my thoughts to become agreeable to Your will, and] so shall my plans be established and succeed.
In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. ~Prayers that Avail Much
Father, in Jesus’ name, I thank You that I shall prosper and be in health, even as my soul prospers. I have the mind of Christ, the Messiah, and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. I trust in You, Lord, with all of my heart; I lean not unto my own understanding, but in all of my ways I acknowledge You, and You shall direct my paths.
Today I submit myself to Your Word, which exposes and sifts and analyzes and judges the very thoughts and purposes of my heart. (For the weapons of my warfare are not carnal, but mighty through You to the pulling down of strongholds — intimidation, fears, doubts, unbelief, and failure.) I refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the (true) knowledge of God; and I lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One.
Today I shall be transformed by the renewing of my mind, that I may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Your Word, Lord, shall not depart out of my mouth; but I shall meditate on it day and night, that I may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then I shall make my way prosperous, then I shall have good success.
My thoughts are the thoughts of the diligent, which tend only to plenteousness. Therefore, I am not anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and *petition, with thanksgiving, I present my requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.
Today I fix my mind on whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious. If there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, I will think on and weigh and take account of these things.
Today I roll my works upon You, Lord — I commit and trust them wholly to You; [You will cause my thoughts to become agreeable to Your will, and] so shall my plans be established and succeed.
In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. ~Prayers that Avail Much
