Scripture Reading: Habakkuk 2:1‒4

Introduction

A. This passage in Habakkuk is quoted three times in the NT to stress the need for perseverance (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38).

B. In the context, God assures Habakkuk that He will take care of things in His own way and in His own time.

Discussion

I. God teaches Habakkuk a valuable lesson.

A. God says that He intends to use the Chaldeans to check the sins of Judah (Habakkuk 1:1‒11).

B. The answer seems to perplex the prophet even more than the problem did (1:12‒17).

C. God assures Habakkuk that He will certainly keep His promises to His people (2:1‒20; cf 2 Peter 1:16; 3:8‒10).

II. God will always reward those who persevere.

A. The faithful do what God commands and believe His promises (Hebrews 11:7‒12, 17‒19).

B. Even if it took a long time, the faithful were always rewarded (Hebrews 11:13, 22, 39‒40).

C. We can’t give up when things don’t go the way that we think they should (Hebrews 12:1‒4; John 6:48‒69).

Conclusion

A. Thankfully we don’t have to be sinless in order to be faithful (Genesis 9:20; 16:1‒4; Numbers 20:10‒20).

B. When the Christian life becomes difficult, we need only to remember that “the Lord is in His holy temple” (Habakkuk 2:20) and that He still has matters well in hand.