Even In the Silence
“Doesn’t Make Sense”
Habakkuk 2:2-5

Habakkuk
Part of “The Twelve” – Minor prophets
• 12 minor prophets, designed as a single book
• Hosea through Malachi
• Habakkuk is #8
Ancient prophet
Lived 2,500-2,600 years ago
Unlike other prophets, Habakkuk only speaks to God
It’s about Habakkuk’s struggle to believe God is good with evil all around
Is an honest, recorded conversation that Habakkuk has with God

Habakkuk 1

Habakkuk means to “embrace” or to “wrestle” 

“The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw (received).” –Habakkuk 1:1

Oracle: an utterance, a burden

Habakkuk’s questions (Habakkuk 1:2-4, Habakkuk 1:12-17)
How long?
Why?

“O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?  Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong?” –Habakkuk 1:2-3a

“…why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?” –Habakkuk 1:13

These are not just ancient cries; they’re our questions today!

God’s response
“…the righteous shall live by his faith.” –Habakkuk 2:4

“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” –Romans 1:17

“Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” –Galatians 3:11

“Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” –Hebrews 10:35-11:1

You can be a committed follower of Jesus and have questions and faith simultaneously. 

Living by faith
Isn’t the absence of questions; it’s trusting Jesus through them
Is bringing our frustrations to God, rather than getting frustrating with God
Is waiting on God and His timing
Is trusting God’s character not just His answers 
Doesn’t make everything okay, it makes you okay

Faith is waiting on God, trusting in God, and believing until you see.

Wrong responses to silence (Habakkuk 2:2-5)
I’ll fix it myself – “soul is puffed up” – v. 4
I’ll compromise – “soul … is not upright” – v. 4
I’ll avoid reality – “wine is a traitor” – v. 5
I’ll try harder – “never at rest” – v. 5
I’ll distract myself – “greed … never enough” – v. 5
	
Our responses
Ask God your questions
Give Him your frustrations
Allow Him to change you
 
Let’s live by faith, even in the silence.