Trusting in the Justice of God

Introduction:

We live in a world where evil runs rampant. We often sit back & wonder how much longer God will allow the ridicule, blasphemy that defies His righteousness. Why will God not punish all the evil right now? We often feel that we are the first generation to experience these things. But, there is nothing new under the sun (Ecc 1:9). What we experience now is very similar to Habakkuk’s experience in the 6th century BC. While Habakkuk is an obscure prophet, and we know little about him, his message is valuable for today’s Christian.

I. Habakkuk was a man with deep burning spiritual questions.

A. 1:1 – oracle refers to the prophetic message given to Habakkuk by God.

B. 1:2-4, 13 – Habakkuk’s honesty is evident in his questions to God.

1. He wasn’t the first to ask these questions. Psa. 44:24; 74:10; 79:5; 80:4; 89:46

2. Jer 12:1-4; 15:16-20 – Jeremiah struggled with these questions.

C. Aren’t these questions asked today? Find ourselves with questions, but not answers.

D. 1:4; 1:12b-13 – why do the innocent suffer while the ungodly prosper?

II. Habakkuk was a man of patience.

A. Habakkuk knew that God had a reason & he was determined to wait for it. (2:1)

B. This same patience is enjoyed upon Christians today.

1. Psa. 5:1-3; 4-6 – David’s great faith in God’s justice…

2. Psa. 85:8; Rom. 12:18-19; Heb. 10:30-31

3. Christians must wait patiently for God’s purpose to be known.

III. Habakkuk was a man of great faith.

A. 3:1-7; 18-19 - Even with his questions, he trusted in God.

B. It was Habakkuk’s faith that led him to take his unresolved problems to God.

1. So it should be for us - Phil. 4:4, 6-7; 1 Pet. 5:7; Heb. 13:5b-6

C. Note that Habakkuk didn’t turn to worldly wisdom & vain philosophy.

1. Who do we turn to when times look dreary? How strong is our faith?

IV. Habakkuk realized the error of walking by sight rather than by faith.

A. Compare 1:2 to 3:18-19.

B. Ultimate triumph was certain.

1. Habakkuk served with wholehearted confidence in God.

2. We err greatly when we walk by sight rather than faith.

C. Isn’t the same true for the Christian? Has not God turned our:

1. Tragedies to triumph?

2. Worry to worship?

3. Fear to faith?

D. 1 Cor. 15:54-58 - Is this not what Paul wrote about?

1. Is it not why Paul could claim what he did in 2 Cor. 4:16-5:7?

2. It is our faith that allows us to hold our heads high – Romans 8:31, 35, 38-39.

E. Regardless of the crises of life – we must trust in God. Rev. 2:10

Conclusion:

A. We can identify with Habakkuk.

1. His struggles with God’s justice are common to all who seek righteousness.

2. He can be used as a pattern for our lives.

3. May we learn to face life’s struggles with confidence, knowing that the future holds tremendous blessing for everyone who fears & obeys God.



Introduction: We live in a world where evil runs rampant. We often sit back & wonder how much longer God will allow the ridicule, blasphemy that defies His righteousness. Why will God not punish all the evil right now? We often feel that we are the first generation to experience these things. But, there is nothing new under the sun (Ecc 1:9). What we experience now is very similar to Habakkuk’s experience in the 6th century BC. While Habakkuk is an obscure prophet, and we know little about him, his message is valuable for today’s Christian. I. Habakkuk was a man with deep burning spiritual questions. A. 1:1 – oracle refers to the prophetic message given to Habakkuk by God. B. 1:2-4, 13 – Habakkuk’s honesty is evident in his questions to God. 1. He wasn’t the first to ask these questions. Psa. 44:24; 74:10; 79:5; 80:4; 89:46 2. Jer 12:1-4; 15:16-20 – Jeremiah struggled with these questions. C. Aren’t these questions asked today? Find ourselves with questions, but not answers. D. 1:4; 1:12b-13 – why do the innocent suffer while the ungodly prosper? II. Habakkuk was a man of patience. A. Habakkuk knew that God had a reason & he was determined to wait for it. (2:1) B. This same patience is enjoyed upon Christians today. 1. Psa. 5:1-3; 4-6 – David’s great faith in God’s justice… 2. Psa. 85:8; Rom. 12:18-19; Heb. 10:30-31 3. Christians must wait patiently for God’s purpose to be known. III. Habakkuk was a man of great faith. A. 3:1-7; 18-19 - Even with his questions, he trusted in God. B. It was Habakkuk’s faith that led him to take his unresolved problems to God. 1. So it should be for us - Phil. 4:4, 6-7; 1 Pet. 5:7; Heb. 13:5b-6 C. Note that Habakkuk didn’t turn to worldly wisdom & vain philosophy. 1. Who do we turn to when times look dreary? How strong is our faith? IV. Habakkuk realized the error of walking by sight rather than by faith. A. Compare 1:2 to 3:18-19. B. Ultimate triumph was certain. 1. Habakkuk served with wholehearted confidence in God. 2. We err greatly when we walk by sight rather than faith. C. Isn’t the same true for the Christian? Has not God turned our: 1. Tragedies to triumph? 2. Worry to worship? 3. Fear to faith? D. 1 Cor. 15:54-58 - Is this not what Paul wrote about? 1. Is it not why Paul could claim what he did in 2 Cor. 4:16-5:7? 2. It is our faith that allows us to hold our heads high – Romans 8:31, 35, 38-39. E. Regardless of the crises of life – we must trust in God. Rev. 2:10 Conclusion: A. We can identify with Habakkuk. 1. His struggles with God’s justice are common to all who seek righteousness. 2. He can be used as a pattern for our lives. 3. May we learn to face life’s struggles with confidence, knowing that the future holds tremendous blessing for everyone who fears & obeys God.