Habakkuk Expresses His Confident Trust in God

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Today’s Bible reading* concludes with Habakkuk’s expression of his confident trust in God. He begins his book with a prayer, pleading for God to show up and punish evil around him.

But God tells him that He is doing something bigger than Habakkuk can see. In fact, He says that Habakkuk won’t believe when he sees it. (Habakkuk 1:5) He says that He will raise up the mighty and barbaric Babylonians to punish His people. The book continues with two more prayers and two more responses from God. Throughout this dialogue, Habakkuk acknowledges and praises God for His sovereignty and goodness.

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD’s glory, as the water covers the sea.
Habakkuk 2:14 (CSB)

But the LORD is in his holy temple; let the whole earth be silent in his presence.
Habakkuk 2:20 (CSB)

A prayer of the prophet Habakkuk. According to Shigionoth. LORD, I have heard the report about you; LORD, I stand in awe of your deeds. Revive your work in these years; make it known in these years. In your wrath remember mercy! God comes from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His splendor covers the heavens, and the earth is full of his praise.
4His brilliance is like light; rays are flashing from his hand. This is where his power is hidden.

Habakkuk 3:1–4 (CSB)

But the most impressive part of his prayer is at the end of chapter three.

Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the flocks disappear from the pen and there are no herds in the stalls, yet I will celebrate in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! The LORD my Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like those of a deer and enables me to walk on mountain heights! For the choir director: on stringed instruments.
Habakkuk 3:17–19 (CSB)

Application

As he concludes his prayer, Habakkuk sounds a little like Job when he said, “Even if he kills me, I will hope in him.“. Job 13:15 (CSB) He knows that God is in control and will work out everything according to His plan. Yet, he knows that how God will work things out will not be pleasant.

Paul tells us in Romans 8:28 that God causes everything to work out for the benefit of His people. Many people — including Believers — think that this promise is to work everything in their favor. They think that God promises to give material blessings and healthy bodies to His people. But a further reading says that the benefit He is working everything is that we would all become more like Jesus. (Romans 8:29)

Believer, know that whatever you’re going through, God is in control. He knows what He’s doing. And He’s working everything out so that you will come out looking more like Jesus! Don’t settle for things that you can’t take into the Age to Come.

Like Habakkuk, you can have confident trust in God. He’s good and He’s in control!

* Chapters covered in today’s reading:
Habakkuk 1
Habakkuk 2
Habakkuk 3

This devotional was originally published on August 6, 2021.


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