HABAKKUK FOUR EXPERIENCES

 Habakkuk Four Experiences

Hab. 1:5 – “I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.”

In Chap. 1 Habakkuk is a Man with a Burden - on the Ground looking round. Hab. 1:1

In Chap 2 Habakkuk is a man with a Vision – on the Watchtower looking out. Hab. 2:1,2

In Chap. 3 Habakkuk is a man with a Prayer – in the Sanctuary looking up. Hab. 3:1,2

In Chap. 4 Habakkuk is a man with a Song – on the Heights looking down. Hab. 3:17-19

1. Man With a Burden

Hab. 1:1, 2 - The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.

“How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save?”

Habakkuk’s time there was destruction, violence, conflict, strive abounds. The law was paralyzed and justice never prevails. Justice was perverted – like some of our nations today and the wicked was mocking the righteousness.  This was the scenario of Habakkuk’s time. Times like these are tough to swallow.  And yet a burden to pray for help is necessary for the minor prophet.

God is calling for men today of prayer – men of burden for their nations. Men that will cry out to God for natural peace and spiritual revival for their country and churches.

Ezek. 3:17 - New International Version - “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.

Habakkuk Had a Fighting Faith

O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!” (Habakkuk 1:1-2).

Habakkuk needed fighting faith to endure such trials. “The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!” (Habakkuk 1:1-2). Habakkuk needed fighting faith to endure such trials.

The Apostle Paul admonishes us to fight the good fight of faith (i Timothy 6:12).

And Jesus spake a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint – Luke 18:1

Daniel prayed for 21 days and had no answer – “Lord have you heard your servants cry?”  God responded “An angel was sent from my presence that same day but the Prince of Darkness withstood him; then the angel overthrew him.” and I can hear Daniel say “God answers prayer”

2. Man With a Vision

Heb. 2:2,3 - And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that read 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.

Habakkuk Had a Living Faith

“Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4).

Habakkuk saw what we are seeing now in this age. Our spiritual vision – is to live by faith.   We are called to live by faith and nothing else.

Some Christians live by devotions.

Some Christians live by works.

Some Christians live by feelings.

Some Christians live by circumstances.

 Habakkuk feared this vision, but he feared God more. God cherishes anyone who will tremble at His Word (Isaiah 66:1-2). Fear violating God’s law!

Each of these is meaningless and perhaps dangerous without faith. Faith is the substance hope for – hoping for the God of Hope to come.

Without vision men will perish – Prov. 29:18

What is our vision today?  - Heb. 10:35-37 –Vision to receive the promise – that Jesus shall come will come and not tarry.

Someone says this Once you have God’s vision for your life you will no longer be satisfied with church as usual. You will cry, “Where are the signs and wonders?” Where are the miracles? Where are the revelation and the demonstration of power of the Spirit.  Where are the Revival of old today?

3. Man With A Prayer -  O LORD,  Hab.3:2

•      Revive Thy work in the midst of the years.

•      Reveal Thy power in the midst of the years.

•      Remember mercy in the day of Thy wrath.

Hab. 3:3 - When Revival comes the prophet Habakkuk says “His glory covered the heavens and the earth was full of His Praise. His brightness (glory) was like the light; He had rays FLASHING from His hand, and there His power was hidden.  Before Him went pestilence (Word) and fever (fire) followed at His feet. – Hab. 3:5   (His hidden power is good enough to change and heal lives without us knowing too.) We want to hear people says “I’m healed” But let God works in mysterious ways.

O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years: Habakkuk simply prayed for revival. He knew how God once worked and how His people once responded, and Habakkuk wanted to see that again. 

The prayer of Habakkuk shows us that revival is a work of God, not the achievement of man. There is something man can and must do for revival – simply cry out to God and plead for His reviving work.

4. Man With A Song

Hab. 3:17-19 – “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.”

Habakkuk’s faith caused him to rejoice

“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). Despite intense trials and sobering visions, Habakkuk rejoiced! He knew God, kept his mind on God, and lived by faith.

Build such faith in your life that, no matter the crisis, you will still rejoice! God’s people know the good news: that Jesus Christ will intervene in world affairs and bring all people joy and peace forever!

Ecc. 9:7-10 – Go eat break with joy – let your garments be white – let your head lack no oil anointing. –Live joyfully all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun.   All your days of vanity.  V. 10 Whatever your hand do – do it with your might for there is no work …The son of men are snared in an evil time when it falls upon them suddenly.

PRAYER

Father thank you for the spirit of Habakkuk that was written for us to follow that we as just and righteous men shall live by faith. We will even rejoice in our times of trouble and in the Salvation of our God.

Lord you are our Strength and Help in trouble and we honour you and bless you. You have made our feet like hinds’ feet and we will be strong and steadfast in our faith in You.