11. Clinging to the Faith that Keeps Us
Habakkuk 2:4 — Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
INTRODUCTION
- Minor= shorter
- A dialogue between God and Habakkuk
- 2008 Barak Obama ... not bc we have nothinf else or are desparate but bc we are spiritially rich. Hillary Clinton --- Clinger -bitter clingers time has passed u by and u are stick holding on to the past despite progress - an epithat- Embraced by
1. HOW MUCH LONGER? -- CRY AGAINST SIN - CHAPTER 1
Hab 1:1 ¶ The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. 2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! 3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. 4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.
- v. 2 "hamas" "a linguistic coincidence."
- Cry against evil - lament - cried against sins of Judah
- Israel waa suffering under the sin of her own leaders.
- QUESTIONS: - it shouldntbsuprrise is that God suprises us... he is infinite
- the deception of a trouble free life - when God doesnt make aenae - james dobson
- "is there anything in my life you dont like" david pawson a q to ask God if u have never heard from him b4:)
- God "I am up to something"
- vs 5 YOU wont believe ask God questions (Hezekiah to Habakkuek, ~100 years of progressive decline; - god had been woeking on babylon quite a hile hezekiah gave them a grand tour and isaih rebuked him daying thwy would tske all he had shown them)
- Why would God use the more wicked babylonians to correct a more righteous than they?
2. WHAT DO YOU SAY LORD? WAIT UPON GOD - CHAPTER 2
Hab 2:1 — I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. 2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. 4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
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Do you need a ride? Nah, I'm good!
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Habakkuk is actually expecting an answer!
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That he who attentively peruses it may speed to save his life
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a) He that presumes on his own safety without any special warrant from God
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b) He that Believes the word of the Lord that warned of the judgement will LIVE, BECAUSE HE FLEES/MAKE HIS ESCAPE
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Trust God - job "he knows the way I take" - u arent fighting the trees!
Job 23:8 ¶ Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: 9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: 10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
3. WILL YOU DO IT AGAIN IN OUR TIME? - CHAPTER 3
Habakkuk 3:2 — O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. [announcemment]
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- Shigionoth "AN UNPREMEDITATED SONG", "IMPROVISED"
- revive thy work - do it agian in our day - in our time make it known - god did intervene!
- God came..
- God stood..
- God split the earth itself...
- God marched...
- God went forthfor the salvation of his people, v.13
Hab 3:16 ¶ When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops. 17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 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.
- Hinds Feet in mine high places ... RESTORATION TO THE HILLS OF ZION
- THERE'LL BE SHOUTING ON THE HILLS OF GLORY