Rejoice Come What May Habakkuk 3:17-19
What season are you in right now? We are all tempted to talk about “The good ol’ days” whatever they were! When were they? For Habakkuk, they were just past. He had known the hand of blessing, but now a decline was on the way.
The background:- Habakkuk was writing likely before 605BC. The people of Judah and Jerusalem had turned against God; everything in their worship was outward. Manasseh might still be on the throne, but even if it was the godly king Josiah, who ruled slightly after Manasseh, the hearts of the people were miles away from God. Even though they still went to the temple, offered sacrifices and kept the festivals, they basically lied, stole, cheated, murdered and committed adultery just as well as any of the surrounding pagan nations. The influence of Manasseh’s evil influence over 55 godless years had filled Judah with Baal and Asherah worship and even child sacrifice. Basically, there was no difference between them and the surrounding nations that had no claim or knowledge of the God of the Old Testament.
Hence Habakkuk’s first complaint. In 1:1-4, he said, “How long shall I cry for help and you will not hear?” – unanswered prayer. Ever felt like that? God not answering? But this wasn‘t even a self-indulgent prayer; some are, but not this one. What was he complaining about? 1. Moral wickedness (1:3) and 2. Rebellion against God’s law (1:4) (Why wouldn’t God answer this prayer – surely it’s honourable.)
I think as Australians, we have known something of the blessing of the gospel in the past in our society in the way we are governed, our schooling system, hospitals, community care and even our sense of mateship have all been a blessing due to the historical belief system and values given to us by our forefathers and the gospel. But we have denied the Source and Originator of our blessings. Some of us who want to honour God, like Habakkuk we also say, ‘Lord how long, how long will you tolerate our country’s rebellion and unbelief?’ Manasseh had child sacrifice – Qld parliament brought into law the worst abortion laws of any country: death up until birth. God will not be mocked!
And so Habakkuk was saying – how long will it be until you do something Lord? The wickedness of this people is too great. There is no identity between you and them. They do not reflect your truth and grace. Habakkuk was disgusted with his own people. They reflected nothing of the character of God. Then the God of Israel answered and it’s nothing at all like what Habakkuk wanted to hear.
How did Habakkuk come to this resolve? (Habakkuk 2:4) “the righteous shall live by his faith” (Eg. Luther’s cry through the reformation. God didn’t answer and give peace through works and a guilt laden conscience. Luther said “This text was to me the true gate to Paradise.”)
The righteous stand by their faith. The Apostle Paul quoted this text in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11 and the writer to the Hebrews in Hebrews 10:38.
What was Habakkuk’s response? (Habakkuk 3:17-19) “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places.”
You see, the Lord had started to pull His hand away from people of Judah. There was a lack of rain, fig trees weren’t in flower: therefore, no fruit would set. The olive crop had failed: very little oil which had many purposes. The grain had failed, no feed for the livestock: therefore, the herd was greatly diminished. The weather affects everyone; saved and unsaved alike. While we are blessed as God’s people, when the Lord withholds His hand, we all feel it. When a country is at war, Christians suffer with everyone else. BUT…with one major difference!
This is the cry of faith. “It’s tough, but I’m going to rejoice come what may.” Why? Why? Some might say, ‘oh that’s just blind faith. That’s just an optimistic spirit.’ No, it’s faith, full stop. Our prophet said, “yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” The view is eternal. The lens is focussed beyond the grave!
Remember what faith is; a reminder in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Two very important words associated with faith are assurance ὑπόστασις (hypostasis) and conviction ἔλεγχος (elenchos). Both these words are only used once in the New Testament. That’s in Hebrews 11:1. Together, they mean absolute certainty, no swerving away, without any shadow of a doubt. They are combined together to represent what our faith in Christ is. If this is not on display in us, we are actually not representing faith in Christ well. This faith gives us life, because it is done in, through and by the Power of the Holy Spirit. “The righteous (or justified) shall live by faith.” This is a gift of God
The best days for us, while we are on this earth, are always going to be in the future, either when the Lord returns or we depart to be with Him.
This is the hope that we celebrate in every season. The Saviour has come and we will rejoice as Paul said, “rejoice always, again I say rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4) Why? Because we all have a rebellious ‘Babylonian’ inside of us. And for those in Christ, he has been defeated. As we have said many times, we are now slaves of righteousness.
So, what are you going through? A high or a low? Rejoice! Why? Because you stand by your faith! In 1 Corinthians 16:13, Paul said, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
Look at the final verse. This should be the focus. He finished the book with this: “GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places.”
“My power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
Get your hopes up if you are in Christ, because the identity of your faith is in Christ. Moping Christians are seriously unbiblical. The joy of the Lord is your strength. Get some strength, increase in these joy levels.
Christ gives you that. Is everyone here in Christ? I don’t know. But if not, today’s the day of your salvation. Turn from doing things your way. C’mon, it doesn’t work. Surely, you have proven that to yourself by now. You only have pride to lose, but eternity to gain. God is talking to you, don’t ignore Him anymore.