God’s “Pro Tip”

In this series, we’re walking with a prophet that is little-known to most of us modern-day Christians.  Habakkuk lived in the last days of the southern kingdom of Judah, just before the Babylonians invaded and destroyed Jerusalem.  However, where the writings of most other Old Testament prophets were about God’s message to the people, what we find unique about the book of Habakkuk is that the prophet records his conversation with God on behalf of the people.

Initially, we heard Habakkuk confront God about the selfish, even down-right evil, actions his fellow countrymen were committing.  He was struggling to understand why God hadn’t stepped in to address the troubles in Judah.  Then, we read God’s response – He is planning on punishing/correcting Judah by allowing the Chaldeans (aka the Babylonians) to invade Judah.  Last time, we looked at how Habakkuk dealt with his frustration and shock over God’s plan.

This was God’s reply:

Habakkuk 2:2-4
The Lord answered me:

Write down this vision; clearly inscribe it on tablets so one may easily read it.
For the vision is yet for the appointed time;
it testifies about the end and will not lie.
Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late.

Look, his ego is inflated; he is without integrity.
But the righteous one will live by his faith.

While the Babylonian oppressors are advancing to plunder and punish Judah, God is not blind to their inflated ego and lack of integrity.  In the following verses, God lays out five “Woes” to the Babylonians – five ways that their own transgressions will be their undoing.

For now, we need to stop here and recognize a significant truth in God’s reply. A “Pro Tip” is a useful piece of advice offered up by someone in the know. This is the “Pro Tip” God shares with Habakkuk:

But the righteous one will live by his faith.

Although Habakkuk protested at portion of the plan God revealed to him, God has set the course for history to follow.  However, He has not abandoned the Jews.  Their path through these upcoming troubled times will be to live by faith. 

To live by faith isn’t a simple phrase to make us feel warm and fuzzy when things get hard so we can go blindly ahead, telling ourselves everything will be ok.  Instead, living by faith is a confident trust in God to do what He has promised to do, despite the circumstances that come our way.  And if we haven’t seen God fulfill a particular promise yet, then living by faith is trusting His character that He will come through at a future moment in time.

This quote from God to Habakkuk echoes throughout the New Testament, as well.  Three times, it is quoted (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38).  All of the New Testament references are to trusting God to fulfill His promises when we are incapable of rescuing ourselves from our present circumstances.  The author of Hebrews continues in chapter 11, listing out Old Testament heroes who lived in difficult times but overcame by living a by faith lifestyle.  They were not defeated by hardship or difficulty because they trusted God to do what He said He would do.

So, even though Habakkuk and the nation of Judah was staring down the barrel of circumstances they did not want, God still shows them the way to live.  As evidence by the New Testament authors’ use of Habakkuk 2:4, that option is available to us, as well.

Are you, right now, living by faith?

Keep Pressing,
Ken

God’s incomplete story

It must have been tough being one of God’s prophets in ancient Israel.  You know that you are commissioned for an incredible work – speaking on behalf of the Creator of the Universe, and delivering His messages to humanity.  However, it is not an easy task.  Oftentimes, the people don’t want to hear what you have to say.  Many don’t want to be called out of their self-focused, sinful lifestyles.  Sometimes, the prophet had to deliver a message of punishment for Israel…and who among us likes being the bearer of bad news?

Like many other prophets, Elijah had threats on his life, even coming from the current king and queen.  Later on, Isaiah was commissioned by God to tell Israel that national punishment was coming.  When he asked God how long he should preach this message, God replied, “until the land is ruined and desolate” (Isaiah 6:11).  Not exactly a crowd-pleasing message to share.

But staying silent wasn’t an option, either.  Jeremiah was another prophet who foretold the destruction of Judah.  Here’s what he had to say about not wanting to preach any more “bad news”:

Jeremiah 20:9
I say, “I won’t mention Him or speak any longer in His name.”
But His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones.
I become tired of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.

We also have to consider that the prophets didn’t necessarily understand the full implication of God’s message.  After all, they were simply the messenger, not the originator.  In many instances, they were delivering prophecies for the people of their day, but they also often spoke of a coming Messiah…and God did not give them all the details about the salvation His Messiah would bring.  Peter also brings up this point in one of his letters:

1 Peter 1:10-12
Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who prophesied about the grace that would come to you, searched and carefully investigated.  They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when He testified in advance to the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.  It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you.

The Old Testament prophets did their best to discover God’s plan for the Messiah, but ultimately, they were not given the full picture.  Instead, they learned that their messages and efforts were meant to serve others…and not just their own curiosities.  Although they did not get the “full story” during their lifetime, God did give them enough information so they could do the work He had for them.

The Apostle John acknowledged being in a similar situation when he wrote his gospel message:

John 20:30-31
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples that are not written in this book.  But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

There were lots of things John could have written about, including many signs that Jesus performed before ascending into heaven.  Those would have been really interesting to read about, I’m sure!  However, John selected specific stories from Jesus’ life that were all aimed at one purpose, the main thing John (and God) wanted us to know: so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. 

There is a parallel here between the Old Testament prophets and us modern believers.  We don’t have the full story of how and when God will move through history.  We don’t get to know the date when Jesus will return.  But there is still work to do.

Thankfully, the Old Testament prophets pressed on and did the hard work of delivering God’s message.  Many of them are commended in “God’s Hall of Fame” and you can read what God had to say about them in Hebrews 11.  We, too, can press on, sharing the message of the gospel to the people around us.  God will also commend and reward those who do the work He has for us now. 

Keep Pressing,
Ken