3 "I WIlls" of Faith

Curtis Gordon

Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

Habakkuk 3:16–19

Faith

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Introduction:

The minor prophet, Habakkuk - whose name means to wrestle has been wrestling with the idea of injustice throughout this short book.

Especially things like, “How could God use a wicked nation like Babylon to chasten Judah?”

If you study the whole book you’ll see his transition from confusion to revelation. It’s as though you can see the light-bulb turn on.

Habakkuk’s Aha! moment seems to be around where he sums it up in the oft quoted:

“Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: But the just shall live by his faith.” (, KJV 1900)

This phrase is found quoted three times in the New Testament.

Romans emphasizes the just,

Galatians on how they should live, and

Hebrews is on the faith.

It took three whole books to explain and apply this one verse of Habakkuk.

Obviously God knew Habakkuk wouldn't be the only one to struggle with this.

- Chapter 3 is a prayer psalm for both private and public worship. It divides into three sections.

Deals with God’s leading the children of Israel from out of the southland toward the crossing of the Jordan.

This passage sounds a lot like the Exodus

- The Example of Living by Faith

Habakkuk employs three methods and approaches to dealing with the questions he has been dealing with.

I Will Wait -

The KJV uses the word “REST” but that really means to wait.

Waiting on the Lord is how we win the battle.

Its how we “mount up with wings as eagles”

Dr. Warren Wiersbe put it this way -

Over the years, I've often leaned on three verses that have helped me wait patiently on the Lord.

"Stand still" (),

"Sit still" (), and

"Be still" ().

Whenever we find ourselves getting "churned up" within, we can be sure that we need to stop, pray, and wait on the Lord before we do some stupid thing.

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary – The Prophets, (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2002), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 421-422.

2. I WIll Rejoice - This is a hard one-- to rejoice when you don't see, or understand.

This is also an intentional act of the will according to the wording in this verse.

Paul reminds us in the NT to "Rejoice evermore,"

It's one thing to "whistle in the dark" and try to bolster our courage, and quite something else to sing about the eternal God who never fails.

Though his lips were trembling and his legs were shaking (, niv), the prophet burst into song and worshiped his God. What an example for us to follow!

It reminds us of our Lord before He went to the cross (), and

, niv), the prophet burst into song and worshiped his God. What an example for us to follow! It reminds us of our Lord before He went to the cross (

Paul and Silas in the Philippian dungeon ().

), and Paul and Silas in the Philippian dungeon (

God can give us "songs in the night" (; ; )

). God can give us "songs in the night" (

if we'll trust Him and see His greatness.

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary – The Prophets, (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2002), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 422.

;

77:6

George Matheson, noted poet and man of God, lost his sight as a youth and spent thirty years in darkness. The third stanza of one of his widely-known hymns reads:

;

O Joy that seekest me through pain,

I cannot close my heart to Thee;

) if we'll trust Him and see His greatness.Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary – The Prophets, (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2002), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 422.

I trace the rainbow through the rain,

And feel the promise is not vain

That morn shall tearless be.

George Matheson had learned to live with his darkness. More than that, he had learned the benefits of his handicap. His victory is seen in the words he once wrote:

My God, I have never thanked thee for my thorn. I have thanked thee one thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorn. I have been looking forward to a world where I shall get compensation for my cross, but never thought of my cross as a present glory. Teach me the glory of my cross. Teach me the value of my thorn. Show me that I have climbed to Thee by the path of pain. Show me that my tears have been my rainbow.

Stephen F. Olford, The Sword of Suffering, (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2001), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 135-136.

Campbell Morgan said, "Our Joy is in proportion to our trust. Our trust is in proportion to our knowledge of God.

3. I WILL RELY - - One of the greatest and might I add hardest aspects of “living by faith” is the complete and total trusting reliance upon God.

The “be not anxious”

The “Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven and all of these things will be added unto you”

The “God shall supply all of your need”

Reliance

One has describe this as the hind or deer that Habakkuk talks about - He can bound through a dark forest, up and down the rocks and cliffs - Yet HE WAS VICTORIOUS

GOD CAN MAKE US VICTORIOUS - RATHER THROUGH CHRIST I AM VICTORIOUS.

I don’t normally do this but would you say that with me again-

THROUGH CHRIST I AM VICTORIOUS!!!

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3:19

Much as a deer can quickly bound through a dark forest, so the prophet said he could move joyfully through difficult circumstances. Though his legs trembled (v. 16) at the awesome theophany of God, that same Lord was His joy (v. 18), strength (v. 19), and assurance. Furthermore, God enabled the prophet to walk on the heights. Not only would he bound through trials; he would also climb to the mountaintops of victory and triumph. The poetic language of this verse is common in other passages (e.g., Deut. 32:13; 2 Sam. 22:34; Ps. 18:33). A deer or gazelle pictures strength, surefootedness, beauty, and speed.

The NET Bible First Edition Notes Notes for 3:19

Difficult times are coming, but Habakkuk is confident the LORD will sustain him. Habakkuk will be able to survive, just as the deer negotiates the difficult rugged terrain of the high places without injury.

Evangelical Commentary on the Bible C. The Prophet’s Pledge (3:16–19)

Habakkuk’s closing words are vastly different than his opening ones. In contrast to his harsh questions and accusations, the prophet now surrenders to God’s purposes for Israel and the nations. Not only God’s patient answers but the further revelation of God’s person and power have been sufficient to humble the prophet. Habakkuk will live triumphantly and faithfully through it all. He will rest secure in the strength that God alone can supply.

Forrest and Jean Brewer have been Wycliffe Bible translators in Mexico for several years. Jean became seriously ill and had to undergo a very critical operation. Forrest called for prayer and then wrote these classic words: “We remind you and ourselves that the operation will be done in the sunshine of His presence. He will be there first and last, the Great Physician. Again we say, His ways are those of triumph. Yours, knowing He is near, Forrest.” That is Habakkuk exemplified today!

The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 3: Isaiah–Malachi D. Habakkuk Rejoices in Face of Adversity (3:17–19)

God still delivers today! Forrest and Jean Brewer have been Wycliffe Bible translators in Mexico for several years. Jean became seriously ill and had to undergo a very critical operation. Forrest called for prayer and then wrote these classic words: “We remind you and ourselves that the operation will be done in the sunshine of His presence. He will be there first and last, the Great Physician. Again we say, His ways are those of triumph. Yours, knowing He is near, Forrest.” That is Habakkuk exemplified today!

The prophet began wailing, but ended singing! He began complaining, but ended contented. Looking about him, he was distracted, perplexed; but looking and listening to God, he is satisfied and rejoices.

Habakkuk’s experience can be epitomized thus: (1) seeing circumstances, (2) speaking to God, (3) listening to God, and (4) singing in triumph over circumstances.

Someone has suggested the following: in chapter 1, watch and see; in chapter 2, stand and see; in chapter 3, kneel and see.

I Will Wait on GOd

I Will Rejoice in God

I Will Rely on God

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