You’re invited to our new series, Silence from the book of Habakkuk!
Description: How we can trust God when he seems silent and distant? Habakkuk, one of the Minor Prophets, faced many of the same questions and objections that we still face today: Where is God in the midst of injustice? Why doesn’t God do something about wickedness and suffering? How can I still trust God when what I believe in my heart doesn’t match what I see with my eyes? As God reveals his divine work, Habakkuk must let go off his own expectations and wait patiently for God to fulfill his divine purposes in his timing and ways. In the end, Habakkuk’s complaint gives away to a beautiful trust in God that is not based upon his circumstances.
Dates Titles Scripture Events
Mar. 16 – When God is Silent (Hab. 1) Communion/Spring Break
Mar. 23 – When God is Slow (Hab. 2)
Mar. 30 – When God is Savior (Hab. 3) Potluck
Introduction:
From innocent childhood queries to complex university discussions, life is filled with questions. Asking how and why and when, we probe beneath the surface to find satisfying answers. But not all questions have answers wrapped and neatly tied. These unanswered interrogations create more questions and nagging, spirit-destroying doubt. Some choose to live with their doubts, ignoring them and moving on with life. Others become cynical and hardened. But many reject those options and continue to ask, looking for answers.
Habakkuk was a man who sought answers. Troubled by what he observed, he asked difficult questions. These questions were not merely intellectual exercises or bitter complaints. Habakkuk saw a dying world, and it broke his heart. Why is there evil in the world? Why do the wicked seem to be winning? He boldly and confidently took his complaints directly to God. And God answered with an avalanche of proof and prediction.
The prophet’s questions and God’s answers are recorded in this book. As we turn the pages, we are immediately confronted with his urgent cries, “How long, O LORD, must I call for help? But you do not listen! ‘Violence is everywhere!’ I cry, but you do not come to save” (1:2). In fact, most of the first chapter is devoted to his questions. As chapter two begins, Habakkuk declares that he will wait to hear God’s answers to his complaints. Then God begins to speak, telling the prophet to write his answer plainly so that all will see and understand. It may seem, God says, as though the wicked triumph, but eventually they will be judged, and righteousness will prevail. Judgment may not come quickly, but it will come. God’s answers fill chapter two. Then Habakkuk concludes his book with a prayer of triumph. With questions answered and a new understanding of God’s power and love, Habakkuk rejoices in who God is and in what he will do. “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights” (3:18, 19).
Listen to the profound questions that Habakkuk boldly brings to God, and realize that you can also bring your complaints and inquiries to him. Listen to God’s answers and rejoice that he is at work in the world and in your life.
Vital Statistics
Purpose: To show that God is still in control of the world despite the apparent triumph of evil
Author: Habakkuk
Original Audience: The people of Judah (the southern kingdom)
Date Written: Between 612 and 589 B.C.
Setting: Babylon was becoming the dominant world power and Judah would soon feel Babylon’s destructive force.
Key Verses: “But the just shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4
“I have heard all about you, LORD. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy” (3:2).
Key People: Habakkuk, the Babylonians
Key Place: Judah
Outline:
1. Habakkuk’s complaints (1:1–2:20)
2. Habakkuk’s prayer (3:1–19)
When Habakkuk was troubled, he brought his concerns directly to God. After receiving God’s answers, he responded with a prayer of faith. Habakkuk’s example is one that should encourage us as we struggle to move from doubt to faith. We don’t have to be afraid to ask questions of God. The problem is not with God and his ways but with our limited understanding of him.
Themes of the Book:
Struggle and Doubt –
Habakkuk asked God why the wicked in Judah were not being punished for their sin. He couldn’t understand why a just God would allow such evil to exist. God promised to use the Babylonians to punish Judah. When Habakkuk cried out for answers in his time of struggle, God answered him with words of hope.
God wants us to come to him with our struggles and doubts. His answers may not be what we expect, however. God sustains us by revealing himself to us. Trusting him leads to quiet hope, not bitter resignation.
God’s Sovereignty –
Habakkuk asked God why he would use the wicked Babylonians to punish his people. God said that he would also punish the Babylonians after they had fulfilled his purpose.
God is still in control of this world in spite of the apparent triumph of evil. God doesn’t overlook sin. One day he will rule the whole earth with perfect justice.
Hope –
God is the Creator; he is all-powerful. He has a plan, and he will carry it out. He will punish sin. He is our strength and our place of safety. We can have confidence that he will love us and guard our relationship with him forever.
Hope means going beyond our unpleasant daily experiences to the joy of knowing God. We live by trusting in him, not by the benefits, happiness, or success we may experience in this life. Our hope comes from God.
I hope you can join us!
Darrell
Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/leander-campus/watch-now-message-videos
Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church
Read Along Daily Bible Reading: YouVersion (https://www.bible.com/organizations/370f8a6e-16bc-464f-8c43-0b7623fd2952)
Source: Life Application Bible Notes (Tyndale, 2007), 1482–1483.
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