WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.980 When I was a bit younger as a Christian, I had a mentor who was an older Christian man. 00:00:06.820 --> 00:00:12.700 And when I've talked about this man in the past, I've often described him as the man most like Jesus that I've ever met. 00:00:13.120 --> 00:00:15.640 It's a bit of hyperbole, but he was very godly. 00:00:16.219 --> 00:00:20.640 And I remember one particular strength that this man had was scripture memorization. 00:00:21.400 --> 00:00:26.620 He was just constantly learning verses and had been doing it the whole time through his Christian life. 00:00:26.620 --> 00:00:33.579 He had some that he'd learned as a young boy in the King James Bible that he still knew in the King James text. 00:00:34.039 --> 00:00:40.280 As he'd gotten older, he'd started learning others in the New International Version, which is the one that was just read out for us. 00:00:40.439 --> 00:00:48.880 And in his house, he literally had boxes and boxes of just little memory verse cards just lined up across his room. 00:00:49.299 --> 00:00:54.799 And whenever you caught up with him, he had a wad of cards, maybe 10 or 15 in his wallet. 00:00:54.799 --> 00:01:05.140 There'd be four or five new verses that he was memorizing, and then maybe 10 that he'd learned in his life that he was just kind of refreshing and making sure that he didn't forget them. 00:01:05.799 --> 00:01:12.219 And as I spent time with him, I longed for the kind of ready-to-mind Bible knowledge that he had. 00:01:12.719 --> 00:01:19.739 Just any situation, he could call four or five verses straight to the front of his mind and respond helpfully. 00:01:19.739 --> 00:01:32.500 But at the same time, even as I longed for that, as I looked at his discipline, I was almost more overwhelmed by how far down the track he was compared to me. 00:01:33.060 --> 00:01:43.919 I'd learned a few Bible verses in youth group and in kids' church, but his example was so challenging, so extreme, that it was more intimidating than it was encouraging. 00:01:43.920 --> 00:01:46.820 It didn't make me want to go and learn verses. 00:01:46.980 --> 00:01:49.659 It made me give up because I would never be that good. 00:01:50.900 --> 00:01:53.820 This is week number four in the book of Habakkuk. 00:01:54.519 --> 00:02:03.340 You have been traveling a book full of challenge and encouragement as we seek to follow Jesus in a world that is hostile to following Jesus. 00:02:03.340 --> 00:02:15.039 And it could be that this finish, what was just read for us, falls into that same category, where it's more intimidating than it is helpful. 00:02:16.180 --> 00:02:18.140 There's a verse in there that might be familiar. 00:02:18.319 --> 00:02:22.259 I heard at least one person reciting what was clearly a memory verse for them. 00:02:24.379 --> 00:02:29.240 But as you read that chapter, as you listen to it read out, is it more intimidating than it is encouraging? 00:02:29.240 --> 00:02:36.719 My paraphrase, though nothing's going right, I will rejoice. 00:02:39.580 --> 00:02:46.900 It's kind of like that person who you know their life is falling apart, and yet they're telling you how thankful they are to God for his goodness. 00:02:47.160 --> 00:02:51.580 And there's a small part of you that hears them talking and just doesn't believe they're being totally genuine. 00:02:52.400 --> 00:02:58.180 It's like they know the answer is, God's great and I should thank him, but you're not convinced that's actually how they feel. 00:02:58.180 --> 00:03:01.240 That's not what's actually going on inside of them. 00:03:01.719 --> 00:03:04.040 I mean, we all know we're supposed to rejoice. 00:03:04.800 --> 00:03:06.379 We all know that's the right answer. 00:03:06.500 --> 00:03:07.480 I should rejoice. 00:03:07.659 --> 00:03:09.260 I will rejoice all the time. 00:03:10.800 --> 00:03:17.960 But like so many things when it comes to following Jesus, it's simple, but it's really difficult. 00:03:19.879 --> 00:03:23.900 We know what we should do, but actually doing it is a whole other challenge. 00:03:23.900 --> 00:03:27.860 So is there any encouragement in this chapter as we finish Habakkuk? 00:03:29.480 --> 00:03:37.040 Or do we just file this away as a really impressive example of what you should look like as a Christian, but something that's completely unattainable? 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:42.740 I'll rejoice sometimes and as much as I can, but not all the time, not in every situation. 00:03:44.680 --> 00:03:45.659 Let's dig in. 00:03:46.840 --> 00:03:49.439 Now, it's worth remembering where we've come from. 00:03:50.980 --> 00:03:53.159 Joy wasn't where Habakkuk started, the book. 00:03:53.159 --> 00:03:58.740 Do you remember four weeks ago when, I don't know who it was, but somebody took you into chapter one? 00:04:00.159 --> 00:04:04.819 And Habakkuk starts the book not with rejoicing, but with doubt. 00:04:05.819 --> 00:04:06.780 Why, God? 00:04:07.460 --> 00:04:08.919 Why do you allow this? 00:04:09.819 --> 00:04:13.519 And then even as he grows a little bit from there, his next step is still not joy. 00:04:13.620 --> 00:04:14.579 It's indignation. 00:04:15.120 --> 00:04:16.079 God, what do you mean? 00:04:16.180 --> 00:04:17.399 That can't be the answer. 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:20.199 That can't be the way you're going to deal with this. 00:04:20.199 --> 00:04:26.819 And maybe for you in your life, that doubt and that indignation is what resonates with you. 00:04:27.920 --> 00:04:34.339 Rejoicing in God is the answer you know you should have, but actually how you feel when you're in trial is that, 00:04:34.839 --> 00:04:35.719 God, what are you doing? 00:04:36.719 --> 00:04:37.959 God, why is it like this? 00:04:38.019 --> 00:04:39.680 God, how long will it be like this? 00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:45.340 And so the question we need to ask as we look at this final chapter, as we wrap up the book is, 00:04:45.680 --> 00:04:52.259 how does Habakkuk go from doubt through indignation and eventually end up at this place of God, 00:04:52.340 --> 00:04:54.340 no matter what, I'm going to rejoice in you? 00:04:55.480 --> 00:04:57.259 What's the movement that he makes? 00:04:57.399 --> 00:05:00.420 The answer is there in chapter three, verse two. 00:05:00.519 --> 00:05:02.079 Be really good to have open in front of you. 00:05:02.079 --> 00:05:09.240 Lord, I have heard of your fame. 00:05:10.279 --> 00:05:12.719 I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. 00:05:13.339 --> 00:05:14.479 Repeat them in our day. 00:05:14.599 --> 00:05:16.500 In our time, make them known. 00:05:16.639 --> 00:05:18.240 In wrath, remember mercy. 00:05:19.219 --> 00:05:20.120 What's shifted? 00:05:20.419 --> 00:05:20.979 What's the movement? 00:05:21.979 --> 00:05:31.299 I have heard that there's been a message, a truth, a communication that's reoriented Habakkuk's perspective. 00:05:32.220 --> 00:05:35.680 He's still in this difficult situation, but what is this message? 00:05:35.800 --> 00:05:36.400 What's he heard? 00:05:37.699 --> 00:05:39.300 He's heard about God's fame. 00:05:40.040 --> 00:05:41.699 He's heard about God's deeds. 00:05:41.860 --> 00:05:48.819 I mean, he's been confronted with who God is, who God's revealed himself to be in his acts and throughout history. 00:05:49.460 --> 00:05:50.840 But this isn't new. 00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:53.860 Habakkuk's a prophet. 00:05:54.780 --> 00:05:58.680 He lives in the stories of what God's done throughout Israel's history. 00:05:58.680 --> 00:06:04.540 He's heard it so many times, but for some reason, here and now, he's heard it fresh. 00:06:05.639 --> 00:06:06.740 He's heard it new. 00:06:06.860 --> 00:06:10.180 He's heard it again, but in a way that changes everything. 00:06:10.600 --> 00:06:19.199 And he's heard two things in particular that completely change his perspective as he deals with his struggle and with his trial. 00:06:19.379 --> 00:06:25.960 First thing he hears, God's justice is unstoppable. 00:06:25.959 --> 00:06:28.659 God's justice is unstoppable. 00:06:29.099 --> 00:06:36.139 The book opens, Habakkuk's crying out to God about the injustice and evil that's in Israel, that's in the nation, part of God's people. 00:06:36.419 --> 00:06:38.259 And he's longing for God to judge. 00:06:38.259 --> 00:06:45.599 But when God answers and says, don't worry, I'm going to judge, he gets really offended like, that's not the kind of judgment I wanted. 00:06:46.180 --> 00:06:48.560 I had a different idea about how this should work out. 00:06:48.779 --> 00:06:54.459 Because God's response to Habakkuk in that moment is, I understand that you're frustrated. 00:06:55.159 --> 00:06:58.079 I understand that you don't like what you see around you. 00:06:58.079 --> 00:07:01.339 But what you need to recognize is, it's me they're rejecting. 00:07:03.419 --> 00:07:10.519 Sure, you're dealing with some pain and some evil that exists, but all of that evil is actually a rejection of God. 00:07:11.839 --> 00:07:15.839 Even if Habakkuk has to deal with some of the circumstances. 00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:23.180 And so God just says to Habakkuk, I know you want to see this play out the way you think is best, but it's my judgment they deserve. 00:07:23.180 --> 00:07:25.500 I'm the one they've offended. 00:07:27.139 --> 00:07:36.759 Both Israel in chapter 1, Babylon in chapter 2, both of them are going to get God's judgment for not honoring and worshiping God as he deserves. 00:07:38.939 --> 00:07:46.000 Habakkuk needs to be clear that just because God's not doing it his way, doesn't mean he's gone soft. 00:07:47.180 --> 00:07:48.720 Doesn't mean he doesn't care. 00:07:48.720 --> 00:07:55.960 Doesn't mean he's just going to sit in heaven frustrated that it's not how it should be, but I can't do anything because I love them so much. 00:07:56.920 --> 00:08:02.580 Judgment is certain, but it will come in God's timing because it's God's judgment to give. 00:08:03.700 --> 00:08:05.440 It's not Habakkuk's judgment to give. 00:08:05.500 --> 00:08:06.580 It's not my judgment to give. 00:08:06.640 --> 00:08:07.920 It's not your judgment to give. 00:08:09.240 --> 00:08:11.120 The only judge is God himself. 00:08:11.820 --> 00:08:13.320 God is not okay with evil. 00:08:14.280 --> 00:08:16.600 He's not okay with evil prospering. 00:08:16.600 --> 00:08:19.240 He's not okay with selfish gain. 00:08:19.360 --> 00:08:20.520 He's not okay with oppression. 00:08:20.720 --> 00:08:22.879 He's not going to let it go on unchecked forever. 00:08:23.340 --> 00:08:25.280 Our God is a God of justice. 00:08:27.280 --> 00:08:30.740 And so on one level, Habakkuk's response is completely right. 00:08:31.780 --> 00:08:35.240 We should be offended by the evil that we see around us. 00:08:36.000 --> 00:08:42.080 It should disgust us that the world is full of people just telling God that he doesn't matter, doing their own thing. 00:08:42.080 --> 00:08:52.480 Every bit of pain and inequality and abuse and oppression that we see in the world that we live in is the direct result of people ignoring and rejecting God. 00:08:52.580 --> 00:08:55.280 And so we should be offended by that. 00:08:56.040 --> 00:09:01.620 We should have this frustration and desire for God to intervene, but we should be careful as well. 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:09.440 God's justice should also build in us a bit of humility. 00:09:11.580 --> 00:09:18.179 As we look at a world that deserves God's judgment, we need to recognize that that's us too. 00:09:19.440 --> 00:09:22.399 That if sin's the problem out there, sin's in here as well. 00:09:22.940 --> 00:09:24.259 So I've got a problem too. 00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:31.019 It's good and right to be offended by what's out there, but are you equally offended by what's in here? 00:09:35.059 --> 00:09:44.080 Habakkuk is focused on his circumstances, on the difficulty that he's experiencing as the measure of whether or not God is just. 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:52.879 He's looking at this tiny little picture, but after pausing and reflecting on God's character, he realizes there's a bigger story. 00:09:54.259 --> 00:09:55.720 I just want to be clear. 00:09:55.840 --> 00:10:10.220 One thing that the Bible makes crystal clear is that if you're doing well in life, if things are good, you're comfortable, money's flowing, job's well, you're getting promotions, that's not evidence that God approves of you. 00:10:12.539 --> 00:10:19.679 Equally, if you're suffering, if you're struggling, if things are going wrong, that is not evidence that God disapproves of you. 00:10:19.679 --> 00:10:29.519 Chapter 2 of Habakkuk, God chooses Babylon, this evil, pagan-worshipping nation, to be the instrument of judgment. 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:35.379 They will come in and effectively wipe out Israel in a way it will never recover from fully. 00:10:36.539 --> 00:10:40.319 They will be the most prosperous nation in the world at that time. 00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:46.660 But we also know from chapter 2 that their judgment is just around the corner as well. 00:10:49.180 --> 00:10:52.280 We need to see more than just the immediate circumstance. 00:10:52.900 --> 00:10:55.040 More important than the day-to-day consequence. 00:10:55.340 --> 00:10:58.360 More important than the day-to-day issues that we're wrestling with. 00:10:58.420 --> 00:11:02.780 More important than what you do or don't have is how God sees you. 00:11:02.779 --> 00:11:07.419 And you can't work that out just by focusing on your situation. 00:11:08.659 --> 00:11:13.500 The loss that Habakkuk feels when he looks at evil people winning is real. 00:11:14.019 --> 00:11:21.959 It hurts, but it's tempered a little bit by the eternal reality that those who reject God will face judgment. 00:11:23.279 --> 00:11:25.360 That that is an inescapable reality. 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:36.159 Nice houses, career advancements, comfort in this life, when it's collected at the expense of obedience to and worship of God, will count for nothing. 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:41.700 In fact, worse than that, will ultimately bring you under the judgment of God. 00:11:43.539 --> 00:11:46.120 God's justice is bigger than ours. 00:11:47.180 --> 00:11:53.060 It doesn't just exist in the here and now, in your day, in your week, in your situation, in your season of life. 00:11:53.059 --> 00:11:56.259 God is just throughout all of time. 00:11:57.839 --> 00:12:02.099 And his justice will come whether you and I get to see it with our own eyes or not. 00:12:03.179 --> 00:12:04.139 It will come. 00:12:04.679 --> 00:12:07.539 Because God's justice is unstoppable. 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:12.539 It's the first thing that Habakkuk has had to reckon with. 00:12:12.619 --> 00:12:16.159 The second thing he learns here in chapter 3 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:23.519 is that God's justice, his wrath, and mercy actually go together. 00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:30.579 Even in these three short chapters of Habakkuk, there's been this tension between judgment and mercy. 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:34.079 Habakkuk's heard that there's going to be judgment on Israel. 00:12:34.339 --> 00:12:36.240 He's heard that there's going to be judgment on Babylon. 00:12:36.500 --> 00:12:37.379 God will do this. 00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:43.240 But he's also heard of God's fame, of God's deeds, of God's reputation, 00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:45.120 that he's a God who saves. 00:12:45.419 --> 00:12:46.379 That's what he does. 00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:47.620 That's how he works. 00:12:47.700 --> 00:12:48.480 He rescues. 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:49.559 He shows grace. 00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:52.340 And he's beginning to catch this glimpse 00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:56.080 that actually those two things always sit together. 00:12:56.080 --> 00:12:59.400 It's not wrath or mercy. 00:13:00.560 --> 00:13:02.400 It's wrath and mercy. 00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:08.060 The way God works is to bring wrath so that there can be mercy. 00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:11.460 And so he prays in verse 2, 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:12.840 Lord, I've heard of your fame. 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:14.259 I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. 00:13:14.320 --> 00:13:15.340 Repeat them in our day. 00:13:15.460 --> 00:13:16.700 In our time, make them known. 00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:18.680 In wrath, remember mercy. 00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:20.360 It's a prayer. 00:13:20.460 --> 00:13:21.640 God, do what you do. 00:13:22.920 --> 00:13:24.320 Work how you work. 00:13:24.320 --> 00:13:24.400 Work. 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:27.540 That's what verses 3 to 15 are about. 00:13:27.660 --> 00:13:29.820 It's this collection of stories 00:13:29.820 --> 00:13:33.060 of how God has dramatically saved them throughout history. 00:13:34.260 --> 00:13:36.240 You can chat to the kids out of Kids Church 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:37.800 who are doing Exodus at the moment. 00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:41.440 There's little allusions to the time when he led them through the sea, 00:13:41.660 --> 00:13:44.020 the way he judged Israel with the plagues, 00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:45.879 the way that he won battles for them 00:13:45.879 --> 00:13:47.620 as they moved into the Promised Land. 00:13:47.780 --> 00:13:50.580 God has been merciful to his people. 00:13:51.640 --> 00:13:54.280 God continues to be merciful to his people. 00:13:54.320 --> 00:13:57.879 And along the way, he continues to judge those who oppose them. 00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:01.620 Wrath and mercy come together. 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:05.960 God's mercy isn't trumped by his justice. 00:14:07.300 --> 00:14:08.800 It's not one or the other. 00:14:09.920 --> 00:14:11.620 God is just and merciful. 00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:16.080 Even as God proclaims his judgment for Israel and for Babylon, 00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:21.740 story after story of God pouring out on his enemies what they deserve, 00:14:22.779 --> 00:14:27.279 God is always at the same time working to rescue those who are his. 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:32.000 That's the one work that he's doing throughout the Bible. 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:36.000 He's saving his people. 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:40.779 The building agenda is God saving his people 00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:45.360 and time after time he works through wrath to achieve that outcome. 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:48.620 When we get to the New Testament, 00:14:49.200 --> 00:14:51.779 it's perfectly on display for us. 00:14:52.419 --> 00:14:55.180 When we get to the cross and we see Jesus there, 00:14:55.300 --> 00:14:58.060 God doesn't soften on justice at the cross. 00:14:58.919 --> 00:15:01.919 The cross is a visible expression for us 00:15:01.919 --> 00:15:05.360 of how seriously God takes rebellion against him, 00:15:05.700 --> 00:15:07.500 of how much sin matters. 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:13.899 But the same action of the cross is the moment of ultimate mercy. 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:18.740 As God provides his son in our place to take our wrath, 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:21.019 to take our judgment, to offer us forgiveness, 00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:22.600 to offer us mercy. 00:15:24.539 --> 00:15:30.039 Wrath and mercy go together because Jesus is our substitute. 00:15:30.440 --> 00:15:32.659 The Bible is full of stories time and time again. 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:34.659 This is how God always works. 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:44.039 Habakkuk's demands of God have softened to become requests 00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:46.159 of the righteous God. 00:15:47.820 --> 00:15:49.039 He's moved from, 00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:50.480 God, why aren't you doing anything? 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:53.440 To, 00:15:55.080 --> 00:15:58.159 God, when you bring the judgment that you need to bring, 00:15:58.980 --> 00:16:00.240 please remember mercy. 00:16:01.440 --> 00:16:02.879 Please forgive me. 00:16:03.840 --> 00:16:05.580 Please let me be part of that mercy, 00:16:05.580 --> 00:16:07.200 that saving work that you're doing. 00:16:08.419 --> 00:16:11.299 This glimpse of God that he gets as he recalls 00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:14.500 who God has revealed himself to be over and over again 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:19.720 enables Habakkuk to see that sin lives in him. 00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:25.159 That the issue, the problem lives in him as well. 00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:30.100 It enables him to see that the issue is deeper than his situation. 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:33.940 It's deeper than some evil people getting away with their evil. 00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:37.440 It's deeper than there being inequality or oppression. 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:40.280 The issue in our lives, 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:42.400 the issue in the troubled times we face, 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:46.120 the issue when we suffer is that we have rejected God. 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:51.740 And therefore, we rightly deserve his punishment. 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:54.720 We rightly deserve the judgment that he would bring. 00:16:54.840 --> 00:16:56.700 Our situations and our circumstances, 00:16:56.840 --> 00:16:57.399 our struggles, 00:16:57.539 --> 00:16:58.419 our symptoms, 00:16:59.039 --> 00:17:01.919 they're the proof that when you reject God, 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:03.080 there is consequences. 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:06.000 It's what Romans 1 talks about. 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:06.980 When we reject God, 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:08.680 he actually hands us over and says, 00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:09.120 okay, 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:12.340 but you've got to live with the choice you've made. 00:17:13.660 --> 00:17:15.480 You've got to roll with what happens 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:17.180 when you ignore what I teach you 00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:18.200 and what I show you. 00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:22.019 And yet, so often, 00:17:22.140 --> 00:17:24.120 when we look at our difficult situations, 00:17:24.400 --> 00:17:26.660 all we see is the cause that's out there. 00:17:28.140 --> 00:17:30.920 All that we see is who else's fault it is 00:17:30.920 --> 00:17:32.460 that I'm suffering right now. 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:36.519 We never stop to recognize 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:39.140 that we actually contribute, 00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:42.259 if not to our own suffering, 00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:44.420 to the suffering that exists in the world. 00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:48.400 We never stop to look at our own heart 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:50.500 as we demand that God engage 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.980 and intervene and fix things. 00:17:53.819 --> 00:17:55.380 We live in a culture 00:17:55.380 --> 00:17:58.019 that takes no responsibility. 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:01.660 We sue the shopping center 00:18:01.660 --> 00:18:02.600 when we fall over 00:18:02.600 --> 00:18:04.040 on their perfectly flat floor. 00:18:05.620 --> 00:18:07.420 We sue the car manufacturer 00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:08.480 when we have an accident 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:09.380 when we were speeding 00:18:09.380 --> 00:18:10.840 but their airbag didn't function 00:18:10.840 --> 00:18:11.720 the way it's supposed to. 00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:14.480 We don't like to take responsibility. 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:15.860 We like to blame. 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:18.120 It's somebody else's fault. 00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:19.519 I'm entitled to this. 00:18:21.400 --> 00:18:23.500 We need to recognize at some point 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:25.220 that even if our situation 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:26.800 is not directly my fault, 00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:29.180 even if the struggle and pain 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:30.160 that you might be dealing with 00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:30.900 right now in your life 00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:32.519 is not your doing, 00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:36.560 that we're still part of the issue. 00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:41.780 Maybe you're sick. 00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:44.080 Maybe you're struggling financially. 00:18:44.280 --> 00:18:45.060 Maybe you're lonely. 00:18:45.400 --> 00:18:47.840 And it genuinely is the fault of others. 00:18:47.880 --> 00:18:48.740 It's not your fault. 00:18:49.340 --> 00:18:51.140 I'm not telling you just change, 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:51.759 be nicer, 00:18:51.880 --> 00:18:53.140 and your situation will be fine. 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:54.320 That's not the message. 00:18:54.319 --> 00:18:56.480 I'm not saying it's your fault. 00:18:58.539 --> 00:19:00.899 But as you wrestle with the results 00:19:00.899 --> 00:19:02.299 of the sins of others 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:03.879 and how that impacts your life, 00:19:03.880 --> 00:19:10.260 the Bible says that your sin is just as serious. 00:19:11.860 --> 00:19:14.700 The Bible says that your sin is just as damaging. 00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:18.900 The Bible says that your sin has just as much impact 00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:20.200 on the world that you live in. 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:22.640 Sin is the problem. 00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:26.980 It's what Habakkuk's getting a glimpse of. 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:30.259 At first, he's pointing at the evil in his own nation. 00:19:30.640 --> 00:19:32.340 Then he's pointing at the evil in Babylon. 00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:34.539 And finally, as he encounters God, 00:19:34.600 --> 00:19:36.740 he begins to understand that evil lives here too. 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:41.140 That God's wrath is completely justified. 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:45.460 Until we can see that. 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:49.400 Until you can see that the problem's here too. 00:19:51.079 --> 00:19:54.279 Until you can see that what we need is mercy. 00:19:56.099 --> 00:19:59.000 More than intervention, what we need is mercy. 00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:01.779 More than a change in circumstances, 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:03.019 what we need is Jesus. 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:06.759 The one who takes wrath for us. 00:20:07.099 --> 00:20:09.119 The one who offers forgiveness freely 00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:11.579 until we can see that he is what we need. 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:19.259 We will never know the kind of joy 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:20.519 that Habakkuk speaks of. 00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:28.160 What we need in our troubled times 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:29.920 is someone who can deal with our sin. 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:34.519 What we need is somebody who can give us the confidence 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:35.620 that God loves us 00:20:35.620 --> 00:20:37.560 even when it might not feel like it. 00:20:38.420 --> 00:20:40.480 What we need is some proof 00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:43.360 that God will not let this remain how it is. 00:20:43.560 --> 00:20:45.460 That he will fix it in his timing. 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:48.560 And that in the fixing, 00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:50.920 in the justice that he will bring, 00:20:51.800 --> 00:20:53.740 that for us that will mean mercy. 00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:57.600 Habakkuk encounters God. 00:20:57.599 --> 00:21:00.759 He's heard of God's fame. 00:21:00.879 --> 00:21:02.240 He's heard of God's deeds. 00:21:03.219 --> 00:21:04.839 But has his situation changed? 00:21:05.579 --> 00:21:07.259 From chapter 1 to chapter 3, 00:21:07.339 --> 00:21:08.159 has anything moved? 00:21:09.959 --> 00:21:10.719 Not at all. 00:21:12.159 --> 00:21:13.079 Still the same? 00:21:15.919 --> 00:21:18.099 He's still looking down the barrel of invasion. 00:21:19.319 --> 00:21:20.359 Babylon is still coming. 00:21:20.359 --> 00:21:24.159 And yet his response, 00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:26.500 having seen God's fame and justice, 00:21:26.699 --> 00:21:27.079 is, 00:21:27.979 --> 00:21:29.299 I will rejoice in the Lord. 00:21:31.179 --> 00:21:32.659 So what has changed? 00:21:33.919 --> 00:21:34.699 What's different? 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:38.419 Well, like we said, 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:39.399 on one level, nothing. 00:21:41.699 --> 00:21:43.740 All the things that were making him angry 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:45.659 and making him doubt God are still there, 00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:48.500 but he can see them differently now. 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:51.980 I mean, listen to the response he has 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:53.200 to what he's heard. 00:21:54.060 --> 00:21:55.100 James read it out for us. 00:21:55.140 --> 00:21:56.440 He hears of God's fame 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:58.019 and he hears of God's deeds. 00:21:58.300 --> 00:21:59.340 And it doesn't even say 00:21:59.340 --> 00:22:00.880 this was an angelic vision. 00:22:01.380 --> 00:22:03.380 There's not some blinding white messenger 00:22:03.380 --> 00:22:04.560 speaking these words. 00:22:04.660 --> 00:22:06.019 It just seems like he's heard it 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:06.920 and he's recalled it. 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:09.480 And his response to who God is, 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:11.540 to who God's revealed himself 00:22:11.540 --> 00:22:12.960 to be in history is this. 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:14.340 Verse 16. 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:14.959 Have a look. 00:22:16.459 --> 00:22:17.119 I heard 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:20.119 and my heart pounded. 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:23.279 My lips quivered at the sound. 00:22:23.459 --> 00:22:25.099 Decay crept into my bones 00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:26.740 and my legs trembled. 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:29.199 Yet I will wait patiently 00:22:29.199 --> 00:22:30.980 for the day of calamity 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:33.159 to come on the nation invading us. 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:36.919 Suddenly, having taken a moment, 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:39.720 he remembers who he's talking to. 00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:45.100 He is challenging the God of heaven, 00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:46.480 the creator, 00:22:46.600 --> 00:22:48.819 the one who holds the entire creation 00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:49.579 in his hand, 00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:51.720 sustains it by his very will, 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:53.700 the infinite and good God. 00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:58.319 Just hearing about how that God 00:22:58.319 --> 00:23:00.680 has engaged in our history, 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.940 just hearing what he's done 00:23:02.940 --> 00:23:03.900 and who he is, 00:23:04.600 --> 00:23:06.299 brings a physical reaction 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:07.180 from Habakkuk. 00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:09.759 Have you ever sat in church, 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.259 reading the Bible, 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:13.159 and heard of the wonder of God 00:23:13.159 --> 00:23:16.019 and realized with this kind of humility 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:18.039 who it is that we're meeting with right now? 00:23:18.359 --> 00:23:20.279 Who it is who's speaking to us? 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:23.740 All that's left for Habakkuk 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:26.079 when he is faced with the God Almighty, 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:28.259 the just and merciful God, 00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:31.639 is patient waiting. 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:36.720 Patient waiting for God to do what God does, 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:38.660 what God has always done, 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:40.160 what God will always do. 00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:42.299 Judge wickedness 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:44.240 and save those who belong to him. 00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:46.240 It's happened before. 00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:47.920 It keeps happening. 00:23:48.139 --> 00:23:49.279 It's going to keep happening. 00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:51.759 Finally confronted with that reality. 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:55.639 All he can do is humbly wait. 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:58.639 Patiently wait. 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:02.680 But not even just patiently wait. 00:24:03.879 --> 00:24:06.019 Joyful, almost defiant waiting. 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:08.619 Not just I'm going to grip my teeth 00:24:08.619 --> 00:24:09.480 and tolerate this, 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:10.899 but look at verse 17. 00:24:12.399 --> 00:24:14.180 Having encountered God, 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:14.539 he says, 00:24:14.599 --> 00:24:16.220 though the fig tree does not bud, 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:18.079 there are no grapes on the vines, 00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:19.460 though the olive crop fails 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:21.199 and the field produces no food, 00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:22.899 though there are no sheep in the pen, 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:24.259 no cattle in the stalls, 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:27.299 yet I will rejoice in the Lord. 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:31.240 I will be joyful in God my Savior. 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:34.539 The sovereign Lord is my strength. 00:24:34.659 --> 00:24:36.519 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. 00:24:36.639 --> 00:24:38.899 He enables me to tread on the heights. 00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:41.399 Situation and circumstance 00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:43.140 are no longer the basis 00:24:43.140 --> 00:24:45.759 on which Habakkuk will despair or rejoice. 00:24:47.880 --> 00:24:49.220 That's not how he decides 00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:50.920 whether or not things are good or bad, 00:24:51.040 --> 00:24:52.700 no matter what happens. 00:24:54.280 --> 00:24:55.800 Regardless of circumstance, 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:58.580 in the worst possible picture he can paint. 00:24:58.960 --> 00:25:01.259 Like, verse 17 doesn't make a lot of sense 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.060 to us right now. 00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:02.880 We're not farmers. 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:05.980 We're not dependent on the trees producing 00:25:05.980 --> 00:25:06.880 at certain times. 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.620 We're not worrying about 00:25:07.620 --> 00:25:08.960 how many animals are in the stalls. 00:25:09.080 --> 00:25:10.860 As long as Coles has got stock shelves, 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.440 we're okay. 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:15.280 The picture he's painting is starvation, 00:25:17.080 --> 00:25:20.460 homelessness, loneliness, isolation. 00:25:21.760 --> 00:25:23.280 Everything is going wrong, 00:25:23.400 --> 00:25:24.600 yet I will rejoice. 00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:31.639 What's changed for him 00:25:31.639 --> 00:25:32.759 is the starting point. 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:36.099 See, at the beginning of this book, 00:25:36.439 --> 00:25:38.199 Habakkuk gets his situation, 00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:39.179 he gets all worked up 00:25:39.179 --> 00:25:40.279 and he takes it to God 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:40.559 and says, 00:25:40.659 --> 00:25:42.459 God, look at what I'm dealing with. 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:45.839 Look at what I have to put up with. 00:25:46.599 --> 00:25:48.459 And there's a real rightness to that. 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:51.839 God invites us to bring our struggles to him. 00:25:52.859 --> 00:25:54.439 But by the end of this book, 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:57.000 just a few short chapters, 00:25:57.699 --> 00:26:00.099 he's now taking God to his circumstances 00:26:00.099 --> 00:26:00.500 and saying, 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:01.319 hey, look at my God. 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:04.059 Look at who I follow. 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:06.119 Look at how he works. 00:26:06.639 --> 00:26:08.000 Look at the power that he has. 00:26:08.299 --> 00:26:09.919 Look at what he always does. 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:12.039 Look at the reality that you're ignoring. 00:26:13.959 --> 00:26:14.559 He's saying, 00:26:14.639 --> 00:26:15.899 my God is unstoppable. 00:26:18.659 --> 00:26:20.159 When I first started school, 00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:21.959 I remember getting in trouble occasionally. 00:26:23.699 --> 00:26:24.539 Nothing drastic. 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:25.899 Just talking too much. 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:26.779 Not finishing my work. 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:27.439 That sort of thing. 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:30.839 And my teacher's go-to threat was, 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:33.199 if you keep doing this, 00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:34.819 I will call your parents. 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.980 It freaked me out. 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:38.539 I remember thinking, 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:40.160 I'm going to get smacked or grounded 00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:41.839 on top of having to do detention 00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:43.099 or pick up papers or something. 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:45.140 So usually that threat was enough 00:26:45.140 --> 00:26:46.019 to keep me in line. 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:49.819 Now, I'm sure that you won't be surprised to hear 00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:52.059 that eventually I did cross the line. 00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:54.899 I can't remember exactly what I did. 00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:58.500 But I do remember standing next to the teacher after class 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.659 as she called my parents. 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:04.159 She was pretty worked up about whatever I'd done. 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.700 Again, I don't remember what it was. 00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:08.140 And so she started the conversation 00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:09.460 with a fair bit of energy, 00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:12.740 talking with a lot of enthusiasm and anger 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:14.539 to, I think it was my dad at the time. 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:18.660 Progressively, as the conversation went on, 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:19.980 she became more subdued. 00:27:21.600 --> 00:27:22.980 And at the end of the conversation, 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:24.160 she hung up the phone 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:25.039 and she dismissed me 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:25.819 and didn't say anything. 00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:28.340 Now, I had no idea what was going on 00:27:28.340 --> 00:27:29.059 in that phone call, 00:27:29.160 --> 00:27:30.559 so I assumed I was in trouble 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:31.579 and spent the rest of the day 00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:32.940 dreading the return home 00:27:32.940 --> 00:27:34.879 and what kind of fierce punishment 00:27:34.879 --> 00:27:35.639 would await me. 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:38.859 When I eventually got there, 00:27:38.919 --> 00:27:40.359 my dad sat me down for a chat. 00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:42.019 He didn't yell. 00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:44.419 He asked me my side of the story. 00:27:45.179 --> 00:27:47.200 And then he made something clear to me 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:48.859 that has stuck with me ever since. 00:27:50.079 --> 00:27:51.579 He said, you need to know 00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:53.419 you're my son 00:27:53.419 --> 00:27:55.119 and I've got your back. 00:27:56.579 --> 00:27:58.379 Now, this isn't a blank check. 00:27:58.759 --> 00:28:00.299 He wasn't saying do whatever you want at school. 00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:01.440 There'll be no consequences. 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:04.460 In fact, there was some pretty 00:28:04.460 --> 00:28:05.519 significant consequences 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.599 on some other occasions. 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:09.720 But the point he wanted me to understand 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:11.220 is that he was my dad. 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:13.379 He wasn't a threat 00:28:13.379 --> 00:28:14.659 that could be used against me. 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:18.240 The default for our relationship was 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.220 he loved me 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:20.799 and no one else had the power 00:28:20.799 --> 00:28:21.720 to mess with that. 00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.980 He would love me just as much 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:25.159 if I did the wrong thing 00:28:25.159 --> 00:28:27.279 as he would when I did the right thing. 00:28:28.419 --> 00:28:30.139 He loved me enough to trust me 00:28:30.140 --> 00:28:31.540 and ask me my side of the story 00:28:31.540 --> 00:28:33.740 even though I was a 14-year-old kid 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.980 and there was an adult teacher 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:36.740 saying what kind of a person I was. 00:28:37.880 --> 00:28:39.100 And he wouldn't assume. 00:28:40.900 --> 00:28:41.860 What that meant 00:28:41.860 --> 00:28:44.000 was for the rest of my school career, 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:45.800 again, on the very rare occasion 00:28:45.800 --> 00:28:46.660 that a teacher threatened 00:28:46.660 --> 00:28:47.680 to contact my parents. 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:49.759 Okay, maybe it wasn't that rare. 00:28:49.759 --> 00:28:51.839 But when it did happen, 00:28:53.099 --> 00:28:54.240 I wasn't scared. 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:57.960 They were trying to use this situation 00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:59.299 and use what I'd done 00:28:59.299 --> 00:29:00.359 and use what was around me 00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:02.039 to try and scare me 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:03.799 into thinking that my parents 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.960 were going to be super angry. 00:29:06.079 --> 00:29:07.079 But it didn't work 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:09.140 because I knew my parents 00:29:09.140 --> 00:29:11.240 and I knew my parents loved me 00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:11.779 more than that. 00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:15.519 Now, the point isn't, 00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:17.140 hey, we're loved by God, 00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:18.259 we can do whatever we want. 00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:20.940 The point is that 00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:22.960 when we change our starting point, 00:29:23.820 --> 00:29:26.900 we can actually sit in the challenge 00:29:26.900 --> 00:29:27.700 and struggle, 00:29:27.880 --> 00:29:28.600 in the trial, 00:29:28.780 --> 00:29:29.440 in the pain, 00:29:29.860 --> 00:29:30.480 secure 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:33.280 that our God's justice 00:29:33.280 --> 00:29:34.060 is unstoppable. 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:37.020 Secure that His love for us 00:29:37.020 --> 00:29:38.900 is constant and unfailing. 00:29:40.040 --> 00:29:41.660 When you encounter pain 00:29:41.660 --> 00:29:42.880 and suffering in your life, 00:29:42.940 --> 00:29:43.900 when things are not the way 00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:44.880 that you want them to be, 00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:46.560 when that drags out for seasons 00:29:46.560 --> 00:29:48.260 and weeks and months and years, 00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:51.020 we engage that 00:29:51.020 --> 00:29:53.420 knowing God's wrath and mercy 00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:54.100 go together. 00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:56.840 Knowing those that, 00:29:57.060 --> 00:29:58.040 that they're bigger 00:29:58.040 --> 00:29:58.900 and more powerful 00:29:58.900 --> 00:29:59.980 than our situation. 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:02.660 And so as we start to struggle, 00:30:02.760 --> 00:30:03.800 as we start to drown, 00:30:03.900 --> 00:30:05.340 instead of taking our situation 00:30:05.340 --> 00:30:05.900 to God, 00:30:06.060 --> 00:30:07.740 we just quickly point to our God. 00:30:08.560 --> 00:30:09.880 We remind ourselves 00:30:09.880 --> 00:30:11.220 that He has always 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:12.720 come through with justice. 00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:15.059 and He will not fail. 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:17.720 We remind ourselves 00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:19.039 that He has always 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:20.360 come through with mercy. 00:30:21.400 --> 00:30:23.120 He faithfully rescues 00:30:23.120 --> 00:30:25.019 and forgives His people 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.240 and so we rejoice. 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.600 Because no matter 00:30:28.600 --> 00:30:30.259 what you are sitting in right now, 00:30:30.360 --> 00:30:31.279 and I'm not trying to say 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.100 it doesn't hurt, 00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:34.220 but no matter 00:30:34.220 --> 00:30:35.380 what you are in right now, 00:30:35.440 --> 00:30:36.860 no matter what you face in life, 00:30:36.920 --> 00:30:38.059 when you know your God, 00:30:38.160 --> 00:30:39.220 you know two things. 00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:42.059 You know He loves you 00:30:42.059 --> 00:30:43.620 and you know 00:30:43.620 --> 00:30:44.779 nothing can change that 00:30:44.779 --> 00:30:46.500 and you know 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:47.660 that justice will come. 00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:50.460 That whatever injustice 00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:51.640 you are experiencing 00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:52.500 and suffering 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.460 because of right now 00:30:53.460 --> 00:30:54.559 will not be forever. 00:30:56.860 --> 00:30:58.220 We have the gift 00:30:58.220 --> 00:30:59.980 that Habakkuk did not. 00:31:01.100 --> 00:31:02.700 We stand thousands of years 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:03.440 after Him, 00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:04.799 this side of Jesus. 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:06.420 We've got a new set 00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:07.600 of challenges in our lives, 00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:08.299 we've got a new set 00:31:08.299 --> 00:31:08.839 of struggles, 00:31:09.119 --> 00:31:10.199 we live in a different world 00:31:10.199 --> 00:31:11.119 in a bunch of ways, 00:31:11.219 --> 00:31:11.859 but we're asking 00:31:11.859 --> 00:31:13.119 the exact same questions. 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:15.919 It could be that 00:31:15.919 --> 00:31:17.199 you arrived here right now 00:31:17.199 --> 00:31:18.159 and those questions 00:31:18.159 --> 00:31:19.219 are on the tip of your tongue. 00:31:19.359 --> 00:31:19.959 Why God? 00:31:20.819 --> 00:31:22.199 Why are you leaving me here? 00:31:23.419 --> 00:31:24.139 When God, 00:31:24.199 --> 00:31:25.139 will you intervene? 00:31:25.539 --> 00:31:26.579 Not like that God, 00:31:26.619 --> 00:31:27.619 I've got a better idea. 00:31:29.980 --> 00:31:31.559 And God's incredible answer 00:31:31.559 --> 00:31:32.199 to us 00:31:32.199 --> 00:31:34.179 is Jesus. 00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:38.019 God's answer 00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:38.759 is to send 00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:39.960 an innocent Savior 00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:41.000 to die on the cross 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:41.900 so that you're forgiven. 00:31:43.840 --> 00:31:44.580 God's answer 00:31:44.580 --> 00:31:45.180 is to give you 00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:45.680 the grace 00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:46.460 of inviting you 00:31:46.460 --> 00:31:47.440 into His family 00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:48.240 that you might know 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:48.960 the secure 00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:50.100 and immovable love 00:31:50.100 --> 00:31:50.799 of being called 00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:51.799 a son and a daughter 00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:54.299 so that we might 00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:55.060 look to what 00:31:55.060 --> 00:31:55.799 He's already done, 00:31:55.900 --> 00:31:56.860 look to Jesus' death 00:31:56.860 --> 00:31:57.360 for us 00:31:57.360 --> 00:31:58.480 and know that our God 00:31:58.480 --> 00:32:00.060 is now, 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:00.960 was before 00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:02.060 and always will be 00:32:02.060 --> 00:32:02.519 the God 00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:03.740 who judges evil. 00:32:04.180 --> 00:32:05.720 But gives grace 00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:06.620 to unworthy people 00:32:06.620 --> 00:32:07.299 like us. 00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:10.680 We know that our God 00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:11.580 will not let the guilty 00:32:11.580 --> 00:32:12.460 go unpunished 00:32:12.460 --> 00:32:13.680 and yet we know 00:32:13.680 --> 00:32:14.980 His mercy never fails. 00:32:15.980 --> 00:32:17.039 We can walk into 00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:18.640 situations and circumstances 00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:19.320 and struggles 00:32:19.320 --> 00:32:19.900 and trials 00:32:19.900 --> 00:32:20.740 confident 00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:23.160 pointing at our God, 00:32:23.860 --> 00:32:25.259 pointing at the empty cross 00:32:25.259 --> 00:32:26.259 and the empty tomb 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:27.360 and Jesus on the throne 00:32:27.360 --> 00:32:27.860 in heaven 00:32:27.860 --> 00:32:28.640 and say, 00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:29.940 you don't have power 00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:30.740 over me anymore 00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:32.560 because I'm loved 00:32:32.560 --> 00:32:33.420 by the God 00:32:33.420 --> 00:32:34.160 who's in charge. 00:32:34.180 --> 00:32:38.620 How do we get there? 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:41.340 How do we move? 00:32:41.420 --> 00:32:42.360 How does this not just be 00:32:42.360 --> 00:32:43.620 some intimidating ideal 00:32:43.620 --> 00:32:44.920 that we can't quite attain? 00:32:45.820 --> 00:32:46.660 Well, how did Habakkuk 00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:47.100 get there? 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:50.100 He heard. 00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:54.600 He heard. 00:32:54.860 --> 00:32:55.840 He listens to. 00:32:55.920 --> 00:32:56.640 He recounts. 00:32:56.680 --> 00:32:57.279 He recalls. 00:32:57.320 --> 00:32:57.960 He remembers 00:32:57.960 --> 00:32:59.279 the fame of His God, 00:32:59.460 --> 00:33:00.840 the deeds of His God. 00:33:01.839 --> 00:33:02.500 This chapter, 00:33:02.639 --> 00:33:03.119 chapter 3, 00:33:03.199 --> 00:33:03.619 did you notice 00:33:03.619 --> 00:33:04.480 those weird little bits 00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:04.899 at the beginning 00:33:04.899 --> 00:33:05.399 and the end? 00:33:06.299 --> 00:33:07.059 This is like 00:33:07.059 --> 00:33:08.679 a corporate prayer. 00:33:09.579 --> 00:33:10.199 That's what those 00:33:10.199 --> 00:33:11.179 instructions are about. 00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:11.679 It's a prayer 00:33:11.679 --> 00:33:12.339 they would have said 00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:13.399 together as a nation 00:33:13.399 --> 00:33:13.919 of Israel. 00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:15.480 They're training themselves 00:33:15.480 --> 00:33:16.139 to remember 00:33:16.139 --> 00:33:16.959 who God is. 00:33:17.480 --> 00:33:18.899 They're hearing regularly. 00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:19.579 That's right. 00:33:19.659 --> 00:33:20.339 Our God 00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:21.539 is just. 00:33:22.699 --> 00:33:23.500 His justice 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:24.459 never fails. 00:33:24.699 --> 00:33:25.220 That's right. 00:33:25.279 --> 00:33:26.199 Our God is merciful. 00:33:26.339 --> 00:33:27.279 Remember what He did 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:29.539 time and time again? 00:33:31.319 --> 00:33:32.619 And they would hear 00:33:32.619 --> 00:33:33.839 so that they could 00:33:33.839 --> 00:33:34.819 wait patiently. 00:33:36.279 --> 00:33:37.119 Habakkuk journeys 00:33:37.119 --> 00:33:37.799 from doubt 00:33:37.799 --> 00:33:38.879 through indignation 00:33:38.879 --> 00:33:39.399 to kind of 00:33:39.399 --> 00:33:40.720 humble adoration 00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:41.899 and ends in this place 00:33:41.899 --> 00:33:42.599 of bold, 00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:44.399 joyful faith. 00:33:46.279 --> 00:33:47.519 Because He hears. 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:50.819 The invitation for you, 00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:52.039 wherever you are 00:33:52.039 --> 00:33:52.619 right now, 00:33:53.859 --> 00:33:54.599 whether you're 00:33:54.599 --> 00:33:55.720 in that place of doubt, 00:33:55.720 --> 00:33:56.579 whether you're traveling 00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:57.519 fantastically, 00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:58.279 and this is all 00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:58.860 hypothetical, 00:33:59.059 --> 00:34:00.140 the idea of suffering 00:34:00.140 --> 00:34:01.079 and troubled times, 00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:02.200 wherever you're at, 00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:03.519 the invitation is to hear. 00:34:05.079 --> 00:34:06.880 The invitation is to see, 00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:08.460 to remember, 00:34:08.699 --> 00:34:09.320 to listen, 00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:10.579 to be reminded 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:12.000 that the God you follow 00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:12.860 is good, 00:34:13.559 --> 00:34:14.539 is just, 00:34:14.659 --> 00:34:15.260 is faithful, 00:34:15.380 --> 00:34:16.119 is merciful. 00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:18.320 It's to hear, 00:34:18.420 --> 00:34:18.780 to see, 00:34:18.860 --> 00:34:19.260 to listen, 00:34:19.380 --> 00:34:19.820 to look, 00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:21.220 and to remember Jesus. 00:34:21.219 --> 00:34:25.759 And then to rejoice in Him. 00:34:27.119 --> 00:34:28.159 To enjoy Him 00:34:28.159 --> 00:34:29.079 in your darkness. 00:34:30.339 --> 00:34:31.699 To know security 00:34:31.699 --> 00:34:32.439 and stability 00:34:32.439 --> 00:34:33.699 in your uncertainty. 00:34:35.559 --> 00:34:36.339 Though money 00:34:36.339 --> 00:34:37.099 might be tight, 00:34:38.139 --> 00:34:38.739 friendships 00:34:38.739 --> 00:34:39.719 might be broken, 00:34:40.799 --> 00:34:41.899 people might hurt you 00:34:41.899 --> 00:34:42.659 and let you down, 00:34:44.239 --> 00:34:46.000 you might lose your job, 00:34:47.399 --> 00:34:48.399 obedience to Jesus 00:34:48.399 --> 00:34:49.239 might cost you 00:34:49.239 --> 00:34:50.439 temporary pleasures, 00:34:50.440 --> 00:34:51.539 there will be pain 00:34:51.539 --> 00:34:52.260 and loss. 00:34:53.780 --> 00:34:54.960 And yet the invitation 00:34:54.960 --> 00:34:56.760 is to find joy 00:34:56.760 --> 00:34:57.720 in the faithful, 00:34:58.300 --> 00:34:58.760 constant, 00:34:59.000 --> 00:35:00.320 and unchanging love 00:35:00.320 --> 00:35:01.300 of God. 00:35:04.720 --> 00:35:05.240 Lord, 00:35:05.320 --> 00:35:06.019 I have heard 00:35:06.019 --> 00:35:06.740 of your fame. 00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:09.300 I stand in awe 00:35:09.300 --> 00:35:10.000 of your deeds, 00:35:10.179 --> 00:35:10.340 Lord. 00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:11.099 Repeat them 00:35:11.099 --> 00:35:11.700 in our day. 00:35:12.720 --> 00:35:13.619 In our time, 00:35:13.720 --> 00:35:14.420 make them known. 00:35:15.139 --> 00:35:15.860 In wrath, 00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:17.280 remember mercy. 00:35:19.079 --> 00:35:19.820 Let's pray. 00:35:20.440 --> 00:35:23.840 Father God, 00:35:23.900 --> 00:35:24.820 we want to come before you 00:35:24.820 --> 00:35:25.900 and acknowledge that 00:35:25.900 --> 00:35:27.880 this is a step, 00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:29.320 this is a journey, 00:35:29.420 --> 00:35:30.039 this is a movement 00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:30.820 that we need to make, 00:35:30.860 --> 00:35:31.579 this is not easy. 00:35:32.760 --> 00:35:33.320 And so Father, 00:35:33.420 --> 00:35:34.420 we ask that you would 00:35:34.420 --> 00:35:35.539 help us to hear, 00:35:36.460 --> 00:35:37.539 help us to see, 00:35:38.539 --> 00:35:39.220 in the pit, 00:35:39.320 --> 00:35:39.840 in the valley, 00:35:39.960 --> 00:35:40.579 open our eyes 00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:41.260 to remember 00:35:41.260 --> 00:35:41.980 our Savior, 00:35:42.119 --> 00:35:43.179 our risen Savior, 00:35:43.539 --> 00:35:44.840 our victorious Savior. 00:35:45.840 --> 00:35:47.139 Give us the confidence 00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:47.379 confidence, 00:35:47.819 --> 00:35:49.379 to trust in your justice 00:35:49.379 --> 00:35:50.179 and your timing. 00:35:51.099 --> 00:35:52.420 Give us the security 00:35:52.420 --> 00:35:53.719 of knowing 00:35:53.719 --> 00:35:54.619 your mercy 00:35:54.619 --> 00:35:55.339 and your love 00:35:55.339 --> 00:35:56.319 to us in Jesus. 00:35:57.359 --> 00:35:58.059 Empower us 00:35:58.059 --> 00:35:58.699 to rejoice 00:35:58.699 --> 00:35:59.599 in every trial 00:35:59.599 --> 00:36:00.420 and every season 00:36:00.420 --> 00:36:01.679 so that the world 00:36:01.679 --> 00:36:02.139 around us 00:36:02.139 --> 00:36:02.539 may know 00:36:02.539 --> 00:36:03.139 the hope, 00:36:03.940 --> 00:36:04.719 the love, 00:36:04.859 --> 00:36:05.400 the forgiveness, 00:36:05.599 --> 00:36:06.019 the grace 00:36:06.019 --> 00:36:06.859 that is only found 00:36:06.859 --> 00:36:07.339 in Jesus. 00:36:07.339 --> 00:36:08.559 Amen. 00:36:08.559 --> 00:36:08.679 Amen.