Habakkuk 3: A Song of Faith in the Face of Adversity
A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.
O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.
God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.
And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.
Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.
He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.
I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.
Was the Lord displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation?
Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers.
The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high.
The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.
Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger.
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.
Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly.
Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through the heap of great waters.
When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
Habakkuk 3 is a powerful and moving chapter, shifting from the prophet's initial complaints and questions to a profound declaration of faith and trust in God. It's a song of hope born from wrestling with doubt, a testament to the transformative power of encountering God's character and remembering His past faithfulness. This chapter serves as a beautiful conclusion to the book, reminding us that even in the midst of hardship, we can find strength and joy in the Lord.
Habakkuk's Awe and Intercession (Habakkuk 3:1-2)
Having gained a clearer perspective on God's plan, Habakkuk is filled with awe. Habakkuk 3:1-2 reveals his posture of reverence. Considering God's past deeds and future plans, he makes a crucial request: "remember mercy." Even as God justly pours out His wrath, Habakkuk pleads for compassion. This act of intercession reflects the heart of a godly person. Like Moses in Exodus 32:11-14 and Daniel in Daniel 9:1-19, Habakkuk stands in the gap, reminding God of His promises and imploring Him for mercy on behalf of his people. We too, are called to this ministry of intercession, to plead God's promises and seek His mercy for ourselves and others.
Praising God's Splendor and Power (Habakkuk 3:3-15)
Habakkuk bursts forth in praise, celebrating God's splendor, brilliance, and unmatched power. Habakkuk 3:3-4 vividly describes God's glory. His presence is so overwhelming that no one can stand before Him; the earth itself trembles at His might (Habakkuk 3:5-15). This section uses poetic and symbolic language to depict God's awesome power and sovereignty over all creation. It serves as a reminder that God is in control, even when circumstances seem chaotic and uncertain. The prophet recognizes that God will ultimately save His people (Habakkuk 3:13), a promise that anchors his hope amidst the impending judgment.
Waiting Patiently in Trust (Habakkuk 3:16-19)
Knowing the coming judgment, Habakkuk acknowledges the need for patience. Habakkuk 3:16 reveals his resolve to quietly wait for the day of distress. He understands that God's timing is not always our own, and that trusting Him requires a willingness to endure hardship.
This leads to the climax of Habakkuk's declaration of faith: "Though the fig tree does not bud...the flocks disappear...yet I will celebrate in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation" (Habakkuk 3:17-18). This powerful statement encapsulates the essence of true faith – choosing to praise God even when life is difficult and uncertain. It's a radical act of trust, rooted in the knowledge of God's character and His unwavering love. Habakkuk concludes by affirming, "The LORD God is my strength; he will make my feet like the feet of a deer and enable me to walk on the heights!" (Habakkuk 3:19). This verse speaks to the enabling power of God, who equips us to navigate even the most challenging terrain.
This chapter provides profound encouragement. When we truly know God's character (who He is) and His works (what He has done), we can trust Him, even in the darkest of times. Like Habakkuk, we can choose to rejoice in the God of our salvation, finding strength and hope in His unwavering presence. Even when the "fig tree does not bud," our faith in God can blossom.
A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.
O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.
God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.
And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.
Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.
He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.
I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.
Was the Lord displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation?
Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers.
The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high.
The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.
Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger.
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.
Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly.
Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through the heap of great waters.
When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
Habakkuk 3 is a powerful and moving chapter, shifting from the prophet's initial complaints and questions to a profound declaration of faith and trust in God. It's a song of hope born from wrestling with doubt, a testament to the transformative power of encountering God's character and remembering His past faithfulness. This chapter serves as a beautiful conclusion to the book, reminding us that even in the midst of hardship, we can find strength and joy in the Lord.
Habakkuk's Awe and Intercession (Habakkuk 3:1-2)
Having gained a clearer perspective on God's plan, Habakkuk is filled with awe. Habakkuk 3:1-2 reveals his posture of reverence. Considering God's past deeds and future plans, he makes a crucial request: "remember mercy." Even as God justly pours out His wrath, Habakkuk pleads for compassion. This act of intercession reflects the heart of a godly person. Like Moses in Exodus 32:11-14 and Daniel in Daniel 9:1-19, Habakkuk stands in the gap, reminding God of His promises and imploring Him for mercy on behalf of his people. We too, are called to this ministry of intercession, to plead God's promises and seek His mercy for ourselves and others.
Praising God's Splendor and Power (Habakkuk 3:3-15)
Habakkuk bursts forth in praise, celebrating God's splendor, brilliance, and unmatched power. Habakkuk 3:3-4 vividly describes God's glory. His presence is so overwhelming that no one can stand before Him; the earth itself trembles at His might (Habakkuk 3:5-15). This section uses poetic and symbolic language to depict God's awesome power and sovereignty over all creation. It serves as a reminder that God is in control, even when circumstances seem chaotic and uncertain. The prophet recognizes that God will ultimately save His people (Habakkuk 3:13), a promise that anchors his hope amidst the impending judgment.
Waiting Patiently in Trust (Habakkuk 3:16-19)
Knowing the coming judgment, Habakkuk acknowledges the need for patience. Habakkuk 3:16 reveals his resolve to quietly wait for the day of distress. He understands that God's timing is not always our own, and that trusting Him requires a willingness to endure hardship.
This leads to the climax of Habakkuk's declaration of faith: "Though the fig tree does not bud...the flocks disappear...yet I will celebrate in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation" (Habakkuk 3:17-18). This powerful statement encapsulates the essence of true faith – choosing to praise God even when life is difficult and uncertain. It's a radical act of trust, rooted in the knowledge of God's character and His unwavering love. Habakkuk concludes by affirming, "The LORD God is my strength; he will make my feet like the feet of a deer and enable me to walk on the heights!" (Habakkuk 3:19). This verse speaks to the enabling power of God, who equips us to navigate even the most challenging terrain.
This chapter provides profound encouragement. When we truly know God's character (who He is) and His works (what He has done), we can trust Him, even in the darkest of times. Like Habakkuk, we can choose to rejoice in the God of our salvation, finding strength and hope in His unwavering presence. Even when the "fig tree does not bud," our faith in God can blossom.