Even In the Silence
“The Power of Lament”
Habakkuk 1-2:1
 
A day comes when the unexpected happens and is bigger than you can handle
 
When the unexpected happens, two questions surface
1. How long, Lord?
2. Why, Lord?
 
“…The righteous shall live by his faith.” – Habakkuk 2:4
Those who are right with God live by faith in Him
 
Habakkuk 1
 
Three Steps Toward Faith

1. Lament

Lament:  a passionate expression of grief, sorrow, helplessness, and repentance

Lament
When our hearts are broken – Psalm 130:1; Mark 14:36
When we feel helpless – Psalm 6:3; 2 Chronicles 20:12
When we sin – Matthew 3:8; Acts 2:38; James 5:1; 2 Corinthians 7:10
 
The Power of Lament
Remembering that Jesus lamented, and He walks with us when we do
Understanding that lament is not weakness; it’s worship through pain
Realizing that time alone doesn’t heal, but time with God does
Processing grief with God, knowing that He has a plan

Remembering God’s character breaks through the silence and confusion
 
2. Remember the character of God

Everlasting – Habakkuk 1:12
Psalm 90:2; Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:14; John 8:58; Leviticus 24:16; John 1:1; Romans 1:20; Revelation 22:13
Without beginning or end
Is not limited by time
Never changes–His love, justice, holiness
Has and is the source of all things
Limitless power and knowledge

Personal – Habakkuk 1:2, 12
Transcendent – “He is God, and we are not” – Isaiah 55:8-9; Psalm 113:5,6; John 8:23
Immanent – God is present, active, and involved                    

Sovereign – Habakkuk 1:12
God is fully in control

Just and all-knowing – Habakkuk 1:12
God sees and judges all

Holy – Habakkuk 1:13
Isaiah 6:1-5; Revelation 4:1-8, 15:2-4; Exodus 20:7; Matthew 6:7-9; Isaiah 57:15; 2 Samuel 2:2-3; 1 Peter 1:13-16
Good
Pure
Can satisfy

Creator – Habakkuk 1:14
We belong to God

3. Meet with God – Habakkuk 2:1
Get alone with Him to get perspective
Listen to His voice by the Spirit and His Word
Trust His plan and timing
 
We live by faith as we wait for God’s plan to unfold!