He Will Deliver Us

2006003

Topic # 695 (Habakkuk)

Introduction:

A. Quote from Habakkuk book, p. 22 bottom of page…

B. We define despair in the following way:

1. To be without a way; to be at a total loss and without resources.

2. State of mind where one believes no hope is available.

C. It is an emotion that causes us to lose our focus and trust in God.

1. It is what happens when we allow ourselves to consider the ways of the world as better than God’s.

D. Despair is a familiar foe to God’s followers.

1. Lk. 18:1 – Jesus warned: pray and do not lose heart.

2. 2 Cor. 1:8-10 – Paul overcame this deadly emotion by trusting in God.

a) despair was a real problem he faced

b) But he fought it back by trusting in God.

3. Habakkuk 1:2-4 – Habakkuk reveals his vulnerability to despair.

a) He was at the end of his rope.

b) All hope appeared gone.

E. 1:2 – the prophet was said to cry out to God. Lit. Shout or roar in pain.

1. Hebrew indicates that he had been protesting injustice a long time – but it continually met with silence from God.

2. Felt that even screaming out to God wouldn’t help.

F. Like Habakkuk, we struggle with problems.

1. Pray persistently, only to feel as if our pleas are rebuffed in silence.

2. How can we handle that – to keep us from dropping into despair?

I. D – estroys Faith In God

A. 1:3-4 - Although Habakkuk was a man of faith, he grew weary of the immorality around him.

1. He especially was mad at God for evidently condoning it!

a. God’s silence was astonishing to him.

1) After all, how could he condone such irreverent behavior?

2) Psa. 13:1-2 - Not the only one who has felt that way. See also Rev. 6:9-11

2. As Christians, we sometimes feel like Habakkuk in that we tire of the rampant evil around us.

a. Questions we ask of God

1) Why does God allow evil to prosper when I don’t?

2) Why does Satan seem to be winning?

3) Why God? I follow your will…I keep my part of the covenant. Where’s your help?

B. At times all we have to rely on is our faith.

1. Despair must not be allowed to rule our hearts!

2. One’s faith is always the first fatality when despair strikes.

3. 1 Sam. 28:1-20 – King Saul.

a. 28:20-21 – leaves pale, haggard, courage destroyed…

b. Conquered by despair!

c. 28:15b – source of despair? Void of God in his heart!

C. Habakkuk 1:2-4 – was his faith faltering?

1. Does our faith ever falter?

2. Have we ever been tempted to walk away from God – thinking He doesn’t care?

3. What can be done? Lk. 18:1

D. God’s silence does not mean that He has abandoned us!

E. If we allow despair to destroy our faith, we lose all hope!

II. E – ncourages Strife, Quarrels and Bitterness

A. 1:3-4 - As Habakkuk surveyed his people, he found a nation that was more concerned about self than others.

1. Self had become the main focus in the lives of God’s people.

2. When despair drives people away from God, human understanding is all that is left to confront injustices.

a. Those ensnared in despair trust in their own wisdom to explain the evil.

b. If there are problems of strife, quarrels or bitterness, it’s because of someone else; the blame must not be laid at my feet.

c. There is disturbance, hatred, and insecurity in their lives.

B. Deut. 28:65 - Israel had been warned that despair would be one of the consequences if they turned from God.

1. But yet, they followed their own wisdom…vicious, never ending circle.

C. Too often the solutions for today’s problems are sought in the wisdom of man.

a. Yet…Jeremiah wrote: Jer. 10:23

b. We must look to God!

D. While our society slowly degenerates and immorality becomes more prevalent, we must not yield to despair.

E. We must all resolve that we will resist temptations to despair so that we may not become the source of strife, quarrels, and bitterness!

III. S – urrenders Victory

A. 1:2 - The tone of Habakkuk’s words seem to suggest he had given up and thought evil had won.

1. Was God was non-existent and content to let evil occur?

a. Habakkuk was in despair at the sight of his country.

2. We must determine that we will fight despair with strong resolve!

B. Heb. 10:35-39 - We must never forget the abilities of God.

1. He is able to overcome anything/one.

C. Romans 8:31-39 - Not matter how dark the day, we cannot allow despair to take away our victory that comes through Jesus.

D. Churchill:

1. Graduated lower third of his prep school.

2. Entered military & politics. Twice elected prime minister.

3. Inspirational leader in WW2.

4. Late in life – invited back to prep school for speech. Speech: Young gentleman, never, never, never, never, give up!

5. The secret to winning is persistence!

E. Victory is ours through Jesus – 2 Cor. 4:7-10.

IV. P – laces All Blame On God

A. Habakkuk felt the reason for all the immorality was due to God’s unwillingness to act.

1. His despair gave him a distorted view of the situation.

a. Evil abounded because of man’s wrong choices; not because God failed to act.

2. Many people blame God when things don’t go well.

a. Job 9:17; Ps. 77:7-9

b. It continues today!

B. James 1:13, 17 - God is not the source of evil but good.

1. God’s goodness is undeniable!

V. A – lways Sees The Negative, Never The Positive

A. Everywhere Habakkuk looked; he saw nothing but negativity and thus became despaired.

1. Nothing in Judah was right; it was a lost cause.

a. 1:4a - God’s word was ignored

b. 1:4b - Justice was not done

2. Christians also manifest the despair of Habakkuk.

a. Can’t see any good in anyone.; any prospect of righteous retribution; any problem of things getting better….

b. Sometimes allow the production (or lack thereof) of our brethren to determine our faithfulness.

1) 2 Cor. 5:10 - Must remember we will be called to account in our own lives.

2) Like Habakkuk our vision is “short sighted;” only seeing the here and now, not the potential of the future.

B. Always something positive to be gained from every circumstance, including the negative.

C. Even though we may not see it right now God is at work, and His will, objectives, purposes are being carried out.

VI. I – nsists Upon Now

A. 1:2 - Habakkuk had prayed and waited awhile for God to do something to cleanse Judah.

1. His “patience” had turned to demanding God provide an answer.

a. Habakkuk’s tone almost smacks of arrogance.

2. We often expect God to work on our timetable instead of His.

a. Like Habakkuk we want answers to our prayers….NOW!!

b. When despair overcomes our faith, we cease to wait on God.

B. 2 Peter 3:3-10 - God does not work on our time; must trust Him to care for us.

VII. R – uins All Hope For The Future

A. Due to his despair, Habakkuk thought nothing good could come of his people.

1. Pro. 13:12 - His blindness kept him from looking forward and seeing the possibilities.

2. When despair is allowed to overtake our lives, all hope for the future is gone.

B. Heb. 6:19 - Christians have an eternal hope that cannot be taken away.

1. This allows us to trust God, even when we don’t understand life’s problems/questions.

2. God sees the end from the beginning.

3. We have received a hope that is sure & steadfast.

4. This hope enables us to trust in God, even when we cannot see the end or understand the “whys.”

Conclusion

A. Despair will rob you of your peace, health and most importantly your soul.

1. 2 Thess 1:3-4 - In life we will have to endure problems, pain, and suffering. But we can endure, with God’s help.

B. How much do you trust your God to care for you?

C. I N V I T A T I O N



He Will Deliver Us 2006003 Topic # 695 (Habakkuk) Introduction: A. Quote from Habakkuk book, p. 22 bottom of page… B. We define despair in the following way: 1. To be without a way; to be at a total loss and without resources. 2. State of mind where one believes no hope is available. C. It is an emotion that causes us to lose our focus and trust in God. 1. It is what happens when we allow ourselves to consider the ways of the world as better than God’s. D. Despair is a familiar foe to God’s followers. 1. Lk. 18:1 – Jesus warned: pray and do not lose heart. 2. 2 Cor. 1:8-10 – Paul overcame this deadly emotion by trusting in God. a) despair was a real problem he faced b) But he fought it back by trusting in God. 3. Habakkuk 1:2-4 – Habakkuk reveals his vulnerability to despair. a) He was at the end of his rope. b) All hope appeared gone. E. 1:2 – the prophet was said to cry out to God. Lit. Shout or roar in pain. 1. Hebrew indicates that he had been protesting injustice a long time – but it continually met with silence from God. 2. Felt that even screaming out to God wouldn’t help. F. Like Habakkuk, we struggle with problems. 1. Pray persistently, only to feel as if our pleas are rebuffed in silence. 2. How can we handle that – to keep us from dropping into despair? I. D – estroys Faith In God A. 1:3-4 - Although Habakkuk was a man of faith, he grew weary of the immorality around him. 1. He especially was mad at God for evidently condoning it! a. God’s silence was astonishing to him. 1) After all, how could he condone such irreverent behavior? 2) Psa. 13:1-2 - Not the only one who has felt that way. See also Rev. 6:9-11 2. As Christians, we sometimes feel like Habakkuk in that we tire of the rampant evil around us. a. Questions we ask of God 1) Why does God allow evil to prosper when I don’t? 2) Why does Satan seem to be winning? 3) Why God? I follow your will…I keep my part of the covenant. Where’s your help? B. At times all we have to rely on is our faith. 1. Despair must not be allowed to rule our hearts! 2. One’s faith is always the first fatality when despair strikes. 3. 1 Sam. 28:1-20 – King Saul. a. 28:20-21 – leaves pale, haggard, courage destroyed… b. Conquered by despair! c. 28:15b – source of despair? Void of God in his heart! C. Habakkuk 1:2-4 – was his faith faltering? 1. Does our faith ever falter? 2. Have we ever been tempted to walk away from God – thinking He doesn’t care? 3. What can be done? Lk. 18:1 D. God’s silence does not mean that He has abandoned us! E. If we allow despair to destroy our faith, we lose all hope! II. E – ncourages Strife, Quarrels and Bitterness A. 1:3-4 - As Habakkuk surveyed his people, he found a nation that was more concerned about self than others. 1. Self had become the main focus in the lives of God’s people. 2. When despair drives people away from God, human understanding is all that is left to confront injustices. a. Those ensnared in despair trust in their own wisdom to explain the evil. b. If there are problems of strife, quarrels or bitterness, it’s because of someone else; the blame must not be laid at my feet. c. There is disturbance, hatred, and insecurity in their lives. B. Deut. 28:65 - Israel had been warned that despair would be one of the consequences if they turned from God. 1. But yet, they followed their own wisdom…vicious, never ending circle. C. Too often the solutions for today’s problems are sought in the wisdom of man. a. Yet…Jeremiah wrote: Jer. 10:23 b. We must look to God! D. While our society slowly degenerates and immorality becomes more prevalent, we must not yield to despair. E. We must all resolve that we will resist temptations to despair so that we may not become the source of strife, quarrels, and bitterness! III. S – urrenders Victory A. 1:2 - The tone of Habakkuk’s words seem to suggest he had given up and thought evil had won. 1. Was God was non-existent and content to let evil occur? a. Habakkuk was in despair at the sight of his country. 2. We must determine that we will fight despair with strong resolve! B. Heb. 10:35-39 - We must never forget the abilities of God. 1. He is able to overcome anything/one. C. Romans 8:31-39 - Not matter how dark the day, we cannot allow despair to take away our victory that comes through Jesus. D. Churchill: 1. Graduated lower third of his prep school. 2. Entered military & politics. Twice elected prime minister. 3. Inspirational leader in WW2. 4. Late in life – invited back to prep school for speech. Speech: Young gentleman, never, never, never, never, give up! 5. The secret to winning is persistence! E. Victory is ours through Jesus – 2 Cor. 4:7-10. IV. P – laces All Blame On God A. Habakkuk felt the reason for all the immorality was due to God’s unwillingness to act. 1. His despair gave him a distorted view of the situation. a. Evil abounded because of man’s wrong choices; not because God failed to act. 2. Many people blame God when things don’t go well. a. Job 9:17; Ps. 77:7-9 b. It continues today! B. James 1:13, 17 - God is not the source of evil but good. 1. God’s goodness is undeniable! V. A – lways Sees The Negative, Never The Positive A. Everywhere Habakkuk looked; he saw nothing but negativity and thus became despaired. 1. Nothing in Judah was right; it was a lost cause. a. 1:4a - God’s word was ignored b. 1:4b - Justice was not done 2. Christians also manifest the despair of Habakkuk. a. Can’t see any good in anyone.; any prospect of righteous retribution; any problem of things getting better…. b. Sometimes allow the production (or lack thereof) of our brethren to determine our faithfulness. 1) 2 Cor. 5:10 - Must remember we will be called to account in our own lives. 2) Like Habakkuk our vision is “short sighted;” only seeing the here and now, not the potential of the future. B. Always something positive to be gained from every circumstance, including the negative. C. Even though we may not see it right now God is at work, and His will, objectives, purposes are being carried out. VI. I – nsists Upon Now A. 1:2 - Habakkuk had prayed and waited awhile for God to do something to cleanse Judah. 1. His “patience” had turned to demanding God provide an answer. a. Habakkuk’s tone almost smacks of arrogance. 2. We often expect God to work on our timetable instead of His. a. Like Habakkuk we want answers to our prayers….NOW!! b. When despair overcomes our faith, we cease to wait on God. B. 2 Peter 3:3-10 - God does not work on our time; must trust Him to care for us. VII. R – uins All Hope For The Future A. Due to his despair, Habakkuk thought nothing good could come of his people. 1. Pro. 13:12 - His blindness kept him from looking forward and seeing the possibilities. 2. When despair is allowed to overtake our lives, all hope for the future is gone. B. Heb. 6:19 - Christians have an eternal hope that cannot be taken away. 1. This allows us to trust God, even when we don’t understand life’s problems/questions. 2. God sees the end from the beginning. 3. We have received a hope that is sure & steadfast. 4. This hope enables us to trust in God, even when we cannot see the end or understand the “whys.” Conclusion A. Despair will rob you of your peace, health and most importantly your soul. 1. 2 Thess 1:3-4 - In life we will have to endure problems, pain, and suffering. But we can endure, with God’s help. B. How much do you trust your God to care for you? C. I N V I T A T I O N