WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.040 The following sermon is made available by Lakeside Bible Church in Cornelius, North Carolina. 00:00:15.640 --> 00:00:19.160 For more information about our church or to find more recorded sermons, 00:00:19.640 --> 00:00:22.719 please visit us online at lakesidebible.church. 00:00:22.980 --> 00:00:25.719 We'd also love to connect with you on social media. 00:00:25.719 --> 00:00:30.679 You can find us by searching Lakeside Bible NC on Facebook and Instagram. 00:00:31.640 --> 00:00:37.899 For specific questions about the Bible or our church, please email us at info at lakesidebible.church. 00:00:39.799 --> 00:00:46.759 Well, the third section of this verse that's helpful for us is these last two words, did see. 00:00:47.500 --> 00:00:51.980 It is the burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. 00:00:51.979 --> 00:00:57.959 Now, the Old Testament prophets were often referred to as seers. 00:00:59.059 --> 00:01:03.759 God opened their eyes to understand his message in a way that was unique. 00:01:04.019 --> 00:01:06.399 And at times, this was a literal vision. 00:01:06.879 --> 00:01:15.319 And it's possible that what Habakkuk is writing for us in this message was actually a literal vision that he saw. 00:01:15.319 --> 00:01:21.779 And we maybe can sense that as we read chapter 3, especially when he writes this psalm of worship. 00:01:22.079 --> 00:01:29.879 It seems to be based on a very vivid picture of what was actually going to happen to the nation of Judah. 00:01:30.519 --> 00:01:34.599 And so this was not just something that he heard that he preached. 00:01:34.719 --> 00:01:36.280 It was something that he saw. 00:01:36.399 --> 00:01:38.219 That could just mean that he understood it. 00:01:38.219 --> 00:01:43.319 But it could be that God allowed him to physically and literally see this is what's coming. 00:01:43.560 --> 00:01:47.400 This is the Babylonians destroying the nation. 00:01:47.519 --> 00:01:50.579 This is me pouring out my judgment on Judah. 00:01:50.780 --> 00:01:54.579 In either case, it's a reference to the message itself. 00:01:55.599 --> 00:01:58.259 And it was a specific revelation from God. 00:01:58.259 --> 00:01:58.780 Now, listen. 00:01:58.780 --> 00:02:04.620 Listen, this was not conjecture on the part of Habakkuk. 00:02:05.519 --> 00:02:10.840 This was a divine message of certain judgment, definitive judgment. 00:02:11.000 --> 00:02:11.659 It was coming. 00:02:11.920 --> 00:02:12.840 It wasn't going away. 00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:13.759 It was coming. 00:02:14.520 --> 00:02:17.000 And it served as a warning to the people. 00:02:17.860 --> 00:02:20.060 And it was a call for repentance. 00:02:21.060 --> 00:02:23.120 Now, even if they repented, the judgment was coming. 00:02:23.259 --> 00:02:26.719 God had determined that long before Habakkuk even came into the picture. 00:02:26.719 --> 00:02:30.400 Years and years and years before he had said that this judgment was going to come. 00:02:30.580 --> 00:02:33.060 But this was an opportunity for repentance. 00:02:34.199 --> 00:02:38.680 And so when we see that this was the burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see, 00:02:38.780 --> 00:02:45.500 we understand that what that means is that this was not a guess on Habakkuk's part. 00:02:46.219 --> 00:02:48.579 This was not speculation on his part. 00:02:48.740 --> 00:02:51.319 This was the divine message of God. 00:02:51.319 --> 00:02:54.139 This was going to happen. 00:02:54.139 --> 00:03:00.379 And just as the message of judgment that we carry as a part of the gospel is one that is going to happen. 00:03:00.759 --> 00:03:04.579 Every single person will be judged. 00:03:05.419 --> 00:03:07.519 Every person will be judged. 00:03:08.479 --> 00:03:14.319 And God is gracious in forbearing our sin for a time and giving us this time for repentance. 00:03:14.579 --> 00:03:17.759 But ultimately, every single person will be judged. 00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:23.239 The Babylonian, so to speak, of judgment will be coming for each and every one of us. 00:03:24.439 --> 00:03:28.939 Let me just give you a quick survey of the book so that you can kind of see, 00:03:29.019 --> 00:03:33.079 even if you study ahead, exactly what it is that we're going to see over the next few weeks. 00:03:33.340 --> 00:03:38.639 The first four verses show us Habakkuk's first question to God. 00:03:39.060 --> 00:03:42.699 And it really has more to do with why are you allowing this sin, 00:03:42.699 --> 00:03:45.819 but specifically, why are you not judging this sin? 00:03:47.159 --> 00:03:51.539 Habakkuk was holy enough to recognize the sinfulness and desire God's judgment in it. 00:03:51.699 --> 00:03:56.639 But what Habakkuk was expecting God to do was provide another revival to the nation 00:03:56.639 --> 00:03:59.339 like he had experienced growing up in Judah. 00:03:59.899 --> 00:04:04.500 He didn't anticipate that God's judgment was going to actually come through a captivity. 00:04:04.959 --> 00:04:06.839 And so the first question has to do with, 00:04:06.840 --> 00:04:12.960 how long, Lord, are you going to sit by idly and not do something about the sin of the nation? 00:04:13.319 --> 00:04:19.420 Verses 5 through 11 is God's response to Habakkuk's first question. 00:04:19.840 --> 00:04:23.639 And essentially, God says, I am going to judge this sin. 00:04:23.800 --> 00:04:27.620 I'm just not going to judge it in the way that you thought I was going to judge it 00:04:27.620 --> 00:04:30.860 or the way that you're hoping that I'm going to judge it. 00:04:31.439 --> 00:04:33.459 He was raising up the Chaldeans. 00:04:33.579 --> 00:04:35.040 We know them as the Babylonians. 00:04:35.040 --> 00:04:37.080 And when we get to that passage, 00:04:37.200 --> 00:04:41.520 we're going to look at exactly what points to the fact that this was God's hand 00:04:41.520 --> 00:04:43.020 that was raising this nation up 00:04:43.020 --> 00:04:46.300 because it only lasted for a very short amount of time. 00:04:46.500 --> 00:04:48.840 This was the reason God raised up the Chaldeans. 00:04:49.280 --> 00:04:50.860 It was to bring them to Judah. 00:04:51.540 --> 00:04:53.280 They were a wicked and vile people, 00:04:53.620 --> 00:04:56.540 but they were going to take Judah captive for 70 years. 00:04:57.000 --> 00:05:01.040 And they were going to decimate Jerusalem and many of the other towns. 00:05:01.040 --> 00:05:05.439 Well, verse 12 of chapter 1 through the first verse of chapter 2 00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:08.560 is Habakkuk's response to God's first answer. 00:05:09.360 --> 00:05:12.220 Now, it's not that he had a problem with the judgment. 00:05:12.300 --> 00:05:13.320 He had prayed for the judgment. 00:05:14.080 --> 00:05:20.560 What now becomes Habakkuk's issue is why God was judging the nation the way that he was. 00:05:20.900 --> 00:05:22.520 Why wasn't God sending revival? 00:05:22.519 --> 00:05:26.439 Why was he sending a wicked people to judge a people that, 00:05:26.899 --> 00:05:29.779 even despite how awful the nation of Judah was, 00:05:29.919 --> 00:05:33.979 they were still a more righteous people than Babylon, than the Chaldeans? 00:05:34.539 --> 00:05:37.719 And so he cries back out to God and says, 00:05:37.979 --> 00:05:40.139 why are you doing it this way? 00:05:41.139 --> 00:05:43.620 Why, God, are you allowing it to happen in this way? 00:05:43.779 --> 00:05:45.839 Why can't you just stop the wickedness? 00:05:46.060 --> 00:05:47.519 Why can't you just bring revival? 00:05:48.199 --> 00:05:50.000 Why can't you just change it? 00:05:50.000 --> 00:05:51.779 Why can't you just adjust it? 00:05:51.800 --> 00:05:52.920 But that wasn't God's method. 00:05:54.339 --> 00:06:01.939 And so God's first answer to Habakkuk actually brought more perplexity to his heart. 00:06:02.439 --> 00:06:04.839 Well, the rest of chapter 2, verses 2 through 20, 00:06:05.860 --> 00:06:11.019 God actually affirms to the prophet that all sin will ultimately be judged. 00:06:11.839 --> 00:06:15.839 Just because he was using the Chaldeans as his instrument of judgment 00:06:15.839 --> 00:06:19.959 didn't mean that he was okay with their wickedness. 00:06:20.779 --> 00:06:24.879 He actually announces five woes, not on Judah, 00:06:25.379 --> 00:06:29.339 but five woes against the Chaldeans, against the Babylonians, 00:06:29.420 --> 00:06:31.519 for what they were going to do to Judah. 00:06:31.660 --> 00:06:35.439 And this brings in an amazing dynamic and juxtaposition 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:37.319 that we find often in the scriptures. 00:06:37.800 --> 00:06:41.779 And that is God's sovereign hand at work, 00:06:41.959 --> 00:06:46.180 despite the wickedness and vileness of man's actions. 00:06:46.180 --> 00:06:48.579 And how those two things come together, 00:06:48.579 --> 00:06:54.060 and God uses even the wickedness of man for his glory and for his purposes. 00:06:55.100 --> 00:06:59.280 The emphasis in that chapter is on God's holiness. 00:07:00.780 --> 00:07:04.740 He will judge all sin in all people, and that's true today as well. 00:07:05.199 --> 00:07:06.660 Every person will be judged. 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:08.500 You will stand before the judgment of God. 00:07:08.500 --> 00:07:14.319 The only people that will be considered righteous in God's eyes at the moment of judgment 00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:17.699 will be those according to chapter 2 and verse 4. 00:07:17.860 --> 00:07:20.560 This is the entire book hinges on this verse. 00:07:20.720 --> 00:07:22.959 It's quoted twice in the New Testament. 00:07:23.160 --> 00:07:24.120 It's very important. 00:07:24.660 --> 00:07:24.920 He says, 00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:42.439 So in opposition to this wickedness and judgment is the mercy that comes, 00:07:42.720 --> 00:07:47.060 not on our good behavior, but the mercy that comes as a result of our faith 00:07:47.060 --> 00:07:50.660 that leads to the faithfulness of following the God of the Bible. 00:07:50.660 --> 00:07:55.860 The first 16 verses of chapter 3 is a psalm. 00:07:56.740 --> 00:08:01.740 Habakkuk writes this psalm as he reflects on this vision that God has given him, 00:08:01.900 --> 00:08:04.600 and he instructed that it be sung among the nation. 00:08:04.700 --> 00:08:06.280 And there's a big reason for that. 00:08:06.480 --> 00:08:08.060 We remember things in music. 00:08:08.440 --> 00:08:14.100 We remember things in psalm better than we do just in sermon or even in reading. 00:08:14.940 --> 00:08:18.520 It's one of the reasons that music is so important in the church 00:08:18.519 --> 00:08:25.399 and that you commit yourself to it daily so that you can memorize the truths of the Scripture, 00:08:25.560 --> 00:08:31.180 that you can memorize who God is and allow that to permeate your heart through song. 00:08:31.819 --> 00:08:33.199 And Habakkuk follows that. 00:08:33.740 --> 00:08:38.539 Well, then he brings a conclusion to the whole book in verses 17 and 18 of chapter 3. 00:08:39.500 --> 00:08:41.579 And his conclusion is one of worship. 00:08:42.079 --> 00:08:44.519 And it's a trust in God's sovereign hand. 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:52.879 Now, God never provides the answers that Habakkuk was specifically looking for. 00:08:54.000 --> 00:09:03.000 He didn't provide the answers to the whys of why he was seemingly idle 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:08.399 and why he was using a wicked nation to judge a nation that was more righteous than they. 00:09:08.799 --> 00:09:10.139 God never answered the why. 00:09:11.179 --> 00:09:13.759 And so that's not the point of our study, to find the why. 00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:19.279 What Habakkuk ends up with at the end of this book in form of worship 00:09:19.279 --> 00:09:26.799 is a renewed and strengthened trust in God's Word and in God's promise. 00:09:27.600 --> 00:09:32.779 He knew that God is always right even when we are perplexed by his methods. 00:09:33.659 --> 00:09:35.460 Now, in conclusion, let me say this. 00:09:37.340 --> 00:09:42.000 There's a goal to our study of Habakkuk, and it's a specific goal. 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:47.659 There's three characteristics of God that we must give attention to as we go. 00:09:48.299 --> 00:09:52.580 James Montgomery Boyce, in the preface to his commentary on the minor prophets, 00:09:53.039 --> 00:10:00.240 stated that there are three characteristics of God indicative in all 12 of the minor prophets, 00:10:00.340 --> 00:10:02.580 not just Habakkuk, but all 12 of the minor prophets. 00:10:02.580 --> 00:10:07.800 And after preaching through these books for 10 years, here's what he observed. 00:10:07.900 --> 00:10:08.900 I'm just going to read it to you. 00:10:10.040 --> 00:10:10.720 He said, 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:37.560 The locust plague of Joel was his doing. 00:10:37.559 --> 00:10:43.779 The destruction of Nineveh, just as its earlier repentance, was from him. 00:10:44.459 --> 00:10:50.879 When Israel was invaded by Assyria and Judah by Babylon, it was the Lord who did it. 00:10:51.459 --> 00:10:56.019 Whatever problems the prophets may have with the specific nature of God's actions, 00:10:56.099 --> 00:10:59.779 and then he puts in there, Habakkuk is one who had great problems. 00:10:59.779 --> 00:11:05.839 They never doubt for a second that the Almighty God is in charge of history. 00:11:06.279 --> 00:11:08.639 So as we study through this book of Habakkuk together, 00:11:08.919 --> 00:11:13.759 we want to specifically be looking for the characteristic of God's sovereignty, 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:19.259 that everything comes about because of the determined will of our sovereign God. 00:11:19.779 --> 00:11:24.139 The second great attribute of God seen in the minor prophets is holiness. 00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:32.220 An awareness of holiness was the driving force behind their sharp denunciations of sin. 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:37.059 It made no difference where the sin was found, 00:11:37.539 --> 00:11:40.519 whether in foreign lands or among God's people. 00:11:41.019 --> 00:11:44.500 It was still an offense to God and called for judgment. 00:11:45.480 --> 00:11:50.299 Nowhere in the Bible are there stiffer denunciations of sin 00:11:50.299 --> 00:11:54.199 and heartier calls for a deep and pervasive repentance. 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:58.620 Apart from repentance, judgment falls. 00:11:59.179 --> 00:12:03.259 So as we study through this book, we're looking specifically for God's sovereignty 00:12:03.259 --> 00:12:06.339 and we're looking specifically for God's holiness. 00:12:07.179 --> 00:12:12.099 And then third, the prophets speak of God's love. 00:12:13.159 --> 00:12:19.419 It is because of God's great love for his people, even his love for Nineveh, 00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:23.740 that he sends prophets with the message of judgment 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:28.559 and indeed eventually sends the judgment itself. 00:12:29.579 --> 00:12:33.679 Even as we look at our responsibility as the church 00:12:33.679 --> 00:12:39.240 to proclaim this message of judgment that accompanies the gospel of Jesus Christ, 00:12:39.399 --> 00:12:43.659 we understand that it's because of God's love that he does this. 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:48.019 It is because of God's love that he pronounces judgment. 00:12:48.019 --> 00:12:52.799 He could have just come in and destroyed the nation without any warning, 00:12:52.980 --> 00:12:55.039 but he gave them this season of repentance. 00:12:55.340 --> 00:12:58.179 And right now, if you're watching this and you don't know Christ, 00:12:58.360 --> 00:13:01.779 he is giving you this season right now for repentance. 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:04.460 Believe me, judgment is coming. 00:13:05.319 --> 00:13:06.120 It's coming. 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:09.379 And only those who have turned away from their sin 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:11.799 to follow after Jesus Christ 00:13:11.799 --> 00:13:16.299 will escape the judgment and inherit eternal life. 00:13:16.299 --> 00:13:18.519 But judgment is coming for all of us. 00:13:18.599 --> 00:13:22.179 And right now is a season that God is giving for repentance. 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:27.699 And we as the church must be faithful to carry the burden of this message 00:13:27.699 --> 00:13:31.799 and proclaim it to those while they have an opportunity to turn to God. 00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:35.000 Whenever possible, as we study through, 00:13:35.839 --> 00:13:38.719 I'll endeavor to bring these characteristics to the surface, 00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:40.519 hopefully in each sermon. 00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:44.019 Now, here's the main point of the book of Habakkuk. 00:13:45.579 --> 00:13:48.980 We'll quickly find that this book is amazingly relevant, 00:13:49.240 --> 00:13:50.819 if you haven't noticed already. 00:13:51.600 --> 00:13:54.939 And you'll probably find that you have asked the same questions 00:13:54.939 --> 00:13:56.480 that Habakkuk asked. 00:13:56.960 --> 00:14:00.759 And you'll likely struggle with understanding God's answers 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:04.919 in the same way that Habakkuk struggled with understanding God's answers. 00:14:04.919 --> 00:14:11.539 But the point of this book is not to answer all of your questions, 00:14:11.539 --> 00:14:18.219 but to drive you to deepen your faith in our sovereign God. 00:14:19.019 --> 00:14:21.959 If all you're looking for as you approach this study 00:14:21.959 --> 00:14:25.459 is to be able to finally connect all the dots of who God is 00:14:25.459 --> 00:14:26.939 and why He acts and the way He does, 00:14:27.219 --> 00:14:28.579 you'll be sorely disappointed. 00:14:29.299 --> 00:14:30.939 But if you'll approach this book, 00:14:30.940 --> 00:14:32.560 in addition to seeking answers, 00:14:33.340 --> 00:14:35.840 looking for your faith to be strengthened 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:39.500 as you come to understand more of who God is, 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:42.620 then it will accomplish its purpose in your life. 00:14:43.660 --> 00:14:45.540 Owen Robertson again said, 00:14:46.380 --> 00:14:49.000 trust in the purposes of the Lord, 00:14:49.760 --> 00:14:54.560 despite confusing perceptions of precisely what He is doing, 00:14:55.180 --> 00:14:57.880 lies at the center of the thought of Habakkuk. 00:14:58.680 --> 00:15:00.880 And by the time we conclude our study, 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:02.600 it's imperative, 00:15:03.340 --> 00:15:07.540 not that we suddenly have a complete understanding of the infinite God, 00:15:08.160 --> 00:15:11.900 but that we have learned to trust Him fully. 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:16.940 As He says for us in chapter 2 and verse 4, 00:15:18.060 --> 00:15:20.900 Behold, His soul, which is lifted up, 00:15:21.440 --> 00:15:23.020 is not upright in Him, 00:15:23.620 --> 00:15:28.080 but the just shall live by His faith. 00:15:28.080 --> 00:15:32.440 Thank you for listening to this sermon made available by Lakeside Bible Church. 00:15:32.900 --> 00:15:34.560 Feel free to share it wherever you'd like. 00:15:35.080 --> 00:15:37.780 Please do not charge for it or alter it in any way 00:15:37.780 --> 00:15:40.840 without express written consent from Lakeside Bible Church. 00:15:41.379 --> 00:15:44.520 Don't forget to visit us online at lakesidebible.church 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:49.159 or find us on Facebook and Instagram by searching for Lakeside Bible NC. 00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:51.879 If you live in the Charlotte or Lake Norman area, 00:15:52.039 --> 00:15:54.259 we'd love for you to attend one of our worship services. 00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:56.639 We meet every Sunday morning at 10 a.m. 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:57.980 We'd love to meet you. 00:15:57.980 --> 00:15:57.980