In our study of Habakkuk chapter three, we will see how remembering the past actions of God can strengthen us for our walk today. This prayer shows us how our concerns can be laid to rest when we remember what God has already done and the fact that He is unchanging.
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This is a prayer of Havakuk the prophet about mistakes:
We see from this opening that this entire chapter is a recorded prayer of the prophet. This fact reminds us that sharing our prayers and how God answers them can be used to build others up in their faith. You may not write a chapter of the Bible, but God can still use your testimony of prayer in a mighty way.
ADONAI, I have heard the report about you. ADONAI, I am awed by your deeds. Bring your work to life in our own age, make it known in our own time; but in anger, remember compassion.
For this verse, I prefer the KJV translation over the NIV. We remember that, in chapter two, the prophet complained about God using Babylon as an instrument of judgment on His people and we saw God's answer to him. Now, we see that he says he heard from God and was afraid for the people of Babylon as God explained that they would be dealt with. Habakkuk went from condemning them to now praying that God would remember to show them mercy. That is an example of what Jesus was talking about when He taught us to pray for our enemies.
God comes from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Pa'ran. His splendor covers the sky, and his praise fills the earth.
The prophet continues his prayer by remembering that God was with Abraham when he left Ur of the Chaldeans (southern Iraq) and went to Canaan (Israel). The meaning of the term "Selah" is somewhat lost but it is believed to be a pause in the music.
His brightness is like the sun, rays come forth from his hand - that is where his power is concealed.
It was by God's power that Abraham was led to Canaan. He simply trusted God in faith and followed. Habakkuk remembers this in his prayer and is strengthened by the fact that God will lead His people if they simply do the same.
Before him goes pestilence, and close behind, the plague. When he stands up, the earth shakes; when he looks, the nations tremble, (Selah) the eternal mountains are smashed to pieces, the ancient hills sink down; the ancient paths are his. I saw trouble in the tents of Kushan and the tent hangings shaking in the land of Midyan.
Habakkuk continues to remember the fact that God humbled the mighty Egyptians through Moses and Aaron. This passage remembers the ten afflictions of the land of Egypt that convinced them to set God's people free. As he (and we) remember how God has delivered His people, we are assured that the everlasting unchanging God will continue to do the same thing with us and our struggles. The KJV points to the freedom that was to come for those who believe in Jesus as it speaks of the curtains that separated God from His people. God caused the curtains to tremble at that time but the curtain was torn in two when Jesus was on the cross (see Luke 23:45). Isn't it cool to see how God is in control of this prayer and uses it to point to the grace that was to come? He will do the same thing with us in guiding our prayers by the power of the Holy Spirit.
ADONAI, is it against the rivers, against the rivers that your anger is inflamed? Is your fury directed at the sea? Is that why you ride on your horses, and drive your chariots to victory? You brandish your naked bow and order it filled with arrows. (Selah) You split the earth with rivers. The mountains see you and tremble; a torrent of water streams by; the deep thunders forth, as it raises enormous waves.
The prophet remembers how God delivered His people from their slavery in Egypt. Even the waters obeyed God as that was an instrument that He used to save His people from the Egyptian pursuers.
The sun and moon stand still in the sky at the light of your arrows speeding by, at the gleam of your glittering spear. In fury you stride across the land, in anger you trample the nations.
In this passage, the prophet remembers the battle that Joshua fought with the five kings (Joshua 10) and the prayer that was answered. Joshua prayed for this to happen and God did it while His wrath was carried out by Joshua and his men. This reminded Habakkuk of the fact that God answers the prayers of His people and it is the same thing that James spoke of when he said "the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (see James 5). That same assurance is for us today in that, when we pray in faith, God answers in power.
You come out to save your people, to save your anointed one; you crush the head of the house of the wicked, uncovering its foundation all the way to the neck.
The prophet remembers that, when God's people were attacked, He fought for them. God is the same today, in that, He will take care of His children. We may be attacked but we cannot be defeated.
With their own rods you pierce the head of their warriors, who come like a whirlwind to scatter us, who rejoice at the prospect of devouring the poor in secret. You tread down the sea with your horses, churning up the mighty waters.
Habakkuk remembers that God takes care of those who humble themselves. As they hid in fear, God stepped in on their behalf. If we humble ourselves and call on the name of God, He will fight on our behalf as well. This gave the prophet comfort and it can help us through our struggles as well.
When I heard, my whole body trembled, my lips shook at the sound; weakness overcame my limbs, my legs gave way beneath me. But I wait calmly for the day of trouble, when it comes upon our assailants.
Although he is afraid, the prophet has resolved to trust in God for deliverance in the face of the enemy. When we face fear and doubt, as brought on by the enemy (Satan), we, too, can resolve to stand firm in the knowledge that God will defend us.
For even if the fig tree doesn't blossom, and no fruit is on the vines, even if the olive tree fails to produce, and the fields yield no food at all, even if the sheep vanish from the sheep pen, and there are no cows in the stalls; still, I will rejoice in ADONAI, I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
When times get the toughest, that is when we need to hold onto Jesus the tightest. Habakkuk's prayer is strengthening him as he resolves in his heart to worship God even when things are tough. We, too, should make a habit out of praising God while we are in the storms of life. Out of this praise will come strength just as it did for the prophet.
ELOHIM Adonai is my strength! He makes me swift and sure-footed as a deer and enables me to stride over my high places. For the leader. With my stringed instruments.
Habakkuk concludes this prayer with the remembrance that God is the source of all of his ability and strength. This prayer was written down to be sung with stringed instruments being played.
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