He Will Deliver Us

Despair is an emotion that causes us to lose our focus and trust in God. It is what happens when we allow ourselves to consider the ways of the world as better than God’s. Despair is a familiar foe to God’s followers. Jesus warned: pray and do not lose heart. 2 Cor. 1:8-10 – Paul overcame this deadly emotion by trusting in God. Habakkuk reveals his vulnerability to despair (Hab. 1:2-4). Like Habakkuk, we struggle with problems. Pray persistently, only to feel as if our pleas are rebuffed in silence. How can we handle that – to keep us from dropping into despair?

I. Despair Destroys Faith in God

A. 1:3-4 - Habakkuk grew weary of the immorality around him.

1. Christians can tire of the rampant evil in today’s society.

2. we often ask God:

a. Why does God allow evil to prosper when I don’t?

b. Why does Satan seem to be winning?

c. 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.

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

II. Despair Encourages Strife, Quarrels and Bitterness

A. 1:3-4 - Habakkuk found a nation that was more concerned about self than others.

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

B. Deut. 28:65 - Israel had been warned that despair would be a consequence of sin.

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

a. Jer. 10:23 - We must look to God!

III. Despair Surrenders Victory

A. 1:2 – Habakkuk had given up and thought evil had won.

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

C. Romans 8:31-39 - victory comes through Jesus.

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

IV. Despair places All Blame on God

A. Habakkuk felt that God was unwilling to act.

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

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

V. Despair always sees The Negative, Never the Positive

A. Habakkuk saw nothing but negativity.

1. Nothing in Judah was right; it was a lost cause. (1:4)

2. Christians also manifest the despair of Habakkuk.

a. Our vision is “short sighted”

b. Even though we may not see it right now, God is at work.

VI. Despair insists Upon Now

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

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

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

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

VII. Despair Ruins All Hope for the Future

A. Habakkuk thought nothing good could come of his people.

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

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

1. Remember, God sees the end from the beginning.

Conclusion

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

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



He Will Deliver Us Despair is an emotion that causes us to lose our focus and trust in God. It is what happens when we allow ourselves to consider the ways of the world as better than God’s. Despair is a familiar foe to God’s followers. Jesus warned: pray and do not lose heart. 2 Cor. 1:8-10 – Paul overcame this deadly emotion by trusting in God. Habakkuk reveals his vulnerability to despair (Hab. 1:2-4). Like Habakkuk, we struggle with problems. Pray persistently, only to feel as if our pleas are rebuffed in silence. How can we handle that – to keep us from dropping into despair? I. Despair Destroys Faith in God A. 1:3-4 - Habakkuk grew weary of the immorality around him. 1. Christians can tire of the rampant evil in today’s society. 2. we often ask God: a. Why does God allow evil to prosper when I don’t? b. Why does Satan seem to be winning? c. 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. C. God’s silence does not mean that He has abandoned us! II. Despair Encourages Strife, Quarrels and Bitterness A. 1:3-4 - Habakkuk found a nation that was more concerned about self than others. 1. Those ensnared in despair trust in their own wisdom to explain the evil. B. Deut. 28:65 - Israel had been warned that despair would be a consequence of sin. C. Too often the solutions for today’s problems are sought in the wisdom of man. a. Jer. 10:23 - We must look to God! III. Despair Surrenders Victory A. 1:2 – Habakkuk had given up and thought evil had won. B. Heb. 10:35-39 - We must never forget the abilities of God. C. Romans 8:31-39 - victory comes through Jesus. D. Victory is ours through Jesus – 2 Cor. 4:7-10. IV. Despair places All Blame on God A. Habakkuk felt that God was unwilling to act. 1. 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. Job 9:17; Ps. 77:7-9 B. James 1:13, 17 - God is not the source of evil but good. V. Despair always sees The Negative, Never the Positive A. Habakkuk saw nothing but negativity. 1. Nothing in Judah was right; it was a lost cause. (1:4) 2. Christians also manifest the despair of Habakkuk. a. Our vision is “short sighted” b. Even though we may not see it right now, God is at work. VI. Despair insists Upon Now A. 1:2 - Habakkuk had prayed and waited for God to do something to cleanse Judah. 1. We often expect God to work on our timetable instead of His. a. Like Habakkuk we want answers to our prayers….NOW!! B. 2 Peter 3:3-10 - God does not work on our time; must trust Him to care for us. VII. Despair Ruins All Hope for the Future A. Habakkuk thought nothing good could come of his people. 1. Pro. 13:12 - His blindness kept him from looking forward and seeing the possibilities. B. Heb. 6:19 - Christians have an eternal hope that cannot be taken away. 1. Remember, God sees the end from the beginning. Conclusion A. Despair will rob you of your peace, health and most importantly your soul. B. How much do you trust your God to care for you?