Lessons from Habakkuk

1. Watch (and Listen!) Habakkuk 2:1

To Watch means to observe attentively. Habakkuk positioned himself to watch and look to see What God wanted to say to him.

GOD SHOULD BE TELLING YOU SOMETHING RIGHT NOW! If you read His word, you should be hearing him saying things such as:

- Seek my kingdom first
- Serve one another
- Don’t judge other people
- Pray without ceasing
- Love me above everything else and others as yourself

Do you allow God’s word to speak into your life? When you read his word, do you look for life application keys to help you navigate through life?

Habakkuk is disappointed that God does not seem to be answering his prayers; but God’s response indicates that, unknown to him, he has already begun answering them. What most of us need to realize is that God has already heard our concern (Habakkuk.1:5).

Are you ready to listen to what God is telling you RIGHT NOW through his word?

2. Write It Down - Habakkuk 2:2

Habakkuk didn’t stand there THINKING, he took a pro-active approach and invited God into his questioning process! It’s OK for a faithful believer to question God! (Habakkuk. 1:2).

Quick note on thinking: a lot of people THINK too much! Most people though, don’t think about the right things otherwise the world would be a much better place!

BEFORE YOU EXPRESS WHAT YOU THINK:
1. Is it actually worth saying it?
2. Program your mind according to Philippians 4:8. NOT movies, Facebook, Kerrang! etc.

Before you let your brain out in the form of words, write it down ...maybe you will see that what you thought was great, is not that good!

Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation..." Habakkuk 2:2

If you write it down, chances are it will get done. God values writing, the Bible is a very good example. The main theme here is; “Communication and action” OR “Information and Application”

IF IT CAN BE WRITTEN IT CAN BE DONE!

Habakkuk stopped to listen and consider God's word. He then recognized God’s long-term plans and purposes and that he is always doing right even when we don’t understand why he works in the way he does. He then wrote everything down.

Even if you try and remember, things tend to get overlaid with other things. Writing brings clarity. It helps reflection.

3. Wait Patiently - Habakkuk 2:3

These things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day. (Habakkuk 2:3 LB)

Waiting is either the toughest thing to do if you are a driven person and can’t get your butt down for too long OR the easiest if you are a little laid back, you can then wait forever and miss life changing opportunities!

Timing is everything. Patience, perseverance, endurance are all qualities valued by God. God is never in a hurry! Just because you have a vision or goal or an urgent prayer doesn’t mean that God will do everything right on the spot. He might, but chances are you will have to wait for his timing. The fall of Babylon that Habakkuk was looking for did not happen for another 60 years.

Waiting does not mean inactivity or passivity. You keep walking and that will take you to the next step;

4. Work by Faith - Habakkuk 2:4b

The righteous will live by his faith. FAITH! NOT by what he sees, NOT by how he feels. Habakkuk couldn’t understand why God seemed to do nothing about the wickedness in society until he moved from doubt to faith.

Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God (Hebrews 11:6).Faith is not passive but active. Hebrews 11:1 says that faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. The author defines faith and then carries on to demonstrate faith throughout the chapter because faith is substance! Faith implies demonstration!

You don’t need faith to survive. Our faith is not in our faith, our faith is in the faithfulness of our God. Your faith might even fail you. Sometimes you will not be able to see God, discern or understand him! However the righteous will live by his faith.