WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.560 Good morning, church. Would you turn with me to the book of Habakkuk? That's page 737 in the Pew Bible. 00:00:15.580 --> 00:00:24.039 737. Habakkuk is a book that helps us wrestle with God when we're in the midst of troubled times. 00:00:24.039 --> 00:00:37.679 The book is structured around two complaints and a prayer. And in the first complaint, Habakkuk wrestles with God because he doesn't see evidence of God's justice in the world. 00:00:38.600 --> 00:00:48.039 There's wickedness and unrighteousness, destruction and violence. Judah itself is filled with exploitative rulers, and it seems like God isn't doing anything. 00:00:48.039 --> 00:01:00.879 And God's answer to that complaint that we saw last week was that his justice was indeed going to come. He was going to send the Chaldeans, the Babylonians, to judge evil. 00:01:02.320 --> 00:01:07.180 And that brings us to Habakkuk's second complaint, which is what we're looking at today. 00:01:07.180 --> 00:01:21.460 Habakkuk wrestles again with God, questioning how a righteous God could use such unrighteous means to bring about his purposes. 00:01:22.680 --> 00:01:32.640 How could God use evil Babylon to punish his own people? That doesn't seem just at all. 00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:39.140 So let's read together Habakkuk's complaint, and then we'll take a look at God's response. 00:01:39.260 --> 00:01:42.560 This is Habakkuk chapter 1, starting in verse 12. 00:01:43.060 --> 00:01:47.840 And we'll read the whole way through the end of chapter 2 to see all of God's response. 00:01:50.640 --> 00:01:52.879 Habakkuk's second complaint begins like this. He says, 00:01:52.879 --> 00:01:58.299 Are you not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. 00:01:59.500 --> 00:02:05.199 O Lord, you have ordained them as a judgment, and you, O Rock, have established them for reproof. 00:02:06.959 --> 00:02:12.259 You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, 00:02:12.259 --> 00:02:21.859 why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he? 00:02:23.459 --> 00:02:29.399 You make mankind like the fish of the sea, like crawling things that have no ruler. 00:02:30.180 --> 00:02:33.819 He brings all of them up with a hook. He drags them out with his net. 00:02:34.319 --> 00:02:38.419 He gathers them in his dragnet so he rejoices and is glad. 00:02:38.419 --> 00:02:44.299 Therefore, he sacrifices to his net and makes offerings to his dragnet. 00:02:45.299 --> 00:02:48.839 For by them he lives in luxury and his food is rich. 00:02:50.339 --> 00:02:58.060 Is he then to keep on emptying his net and mercilessly killing nations forever? 00:02:59.579 --> 00:03:04.739 I will take my stand at my watch post, station myself on the tower, 00:03:04.739 --> 00:03:07.679 and look out to see what he will say to me. 00:03:08.419 --> 00:03:11.379 And what I will answer concerning my complaint. 00:03:13.859 --> 00:03:15.239 And the Lord answered me. 00:03:16.699 --> 00:03:17.659 Write the vision. 00:03:18.799 --> 00:03:22.019 Make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. 00:03:22.879 --> 00:03:25.159 For still the vision awaits its appointed time. 00:03:26.139 --> 00:03:28.560 It hastens to the end. It will not lie. 00:03:29.339 --> 00:03:31.259 If it seems slow, wait for it. 00:03:31.679 --> 00:03:32.759 It will surely come. 00:03:33.479 --> 00:03:34.379 It will not delay. 00:03:34.379 --> 00:03:37.439 Behold, his soul is puffed up. 00:03:37.519 --> 00:03:38.859 It's not upright within him. 00:03:39.460 --> 00:03:43.659 But the righteous shall live by his faith. 00:03:45.759 --> 00:03:48.699 Moreover, wine is a traitor, an arrogant man who's never at rest. 00:03:48.979 --> 00:03:50.240 Greed is as wide as Sheol. 00:03:50.340 --> 00:03:51.900 Like death, he never has enough. 00:03:51.979 --> 00:03:55.659 He gathers for himself all nations and collects as his own all peoples. 00:03:55.659 --> 00:04:02.680 But shall not all these take up their taunt against him with scoffing and riddles for him and say, 00:04:03.439 --> 00:04:03.800 Woe! 00:04:05.620 --> 00:04:08.759 Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own. 00:04:09.419 --> 00:04:10.460 For how long? 00:04:10.620 --> 00:04:12.060 And loads himself with pledges. 00:04:13.060 --> 00:04:14.960 Will not your debtor suddenly arise? 00:04:15.019 --> 00:04:17.379 And those awake who will make you tremble? 00:04:17.379 --> 00:04:19.740 Then you will be spoiled for them. 00:04:20.600 --> 00:04:24.519 Because you've plundered many nations, all the remnant of the people shall plunder you. 00:04:25.659 --> 00:04:30.300 For the man of blood and violence to the earth, to cities and all who dwell in them. 00:04:31.899 --> 00:04:38.339 Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house, to set his nest on high, to be safe from the reach of harm. 00:04:39.019 --> 00:04:42.860 You have devised shame for your house by cutting off many peoples. 00:04:42.860 --> 00:04:45.160 You have forfeited your life. 00:04:45.860 --> 00:04:51.020 For the stone will cry out from the wall and the beam from the woodwork respond. 00:04:52.340 --> 00:04:57.319 Woe to him who builds a town with blood and founds a city on iniquity. 00:04:58.439 --> 00:05:05.860 Behold, is it not from the Lord of hosts that people's labor merely for fire and nations weary themselves for nothing? 00:05:06.740 --> 00:05:12.060 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. 00:05:12.860 --> 00:05:16.160 Woe to him who makes his neighbors drink. 00:05:16.900 --> 00:05:21.520 You pour out your wrath and make them drunk in order to gaze at their nakedness. 00:05:22.100 --> 00:05:24.680 You will have your fill of shame instead of glory. 00:05:25.660 --> 00:05:28.680 Drink yourself and show your uncircumcision. 00:05:29.540 --> 00:05:33.080 The cup in the Lord's right hand will come around to you. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:36.060 And utter shame will come upon your glory. 00:05:37.040 --> 00:05:39.800 The violence done to Lebanon will overwhelm you. 00:05:39.800 --> 00:05:43.280 As will the destruction of the beasts that terrified them. 00:05:43.840 --> 00:05:49.340 For the man of blood and violence to the earth, to cities and all who dwell in them. 00:05:50.900 --> 00:05:53.840 What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it? 00:05:54.439 --> 00:05:56.860 A metal image, teacher of lies. 00:05:57.860 --> 00:06:02.900 For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols. 00:06:02.899 --> 00:06:10.699 Woe to him who says to a wooden thing, awake to a silent stone arise. 00:06:11.479 --> 00:06:12.500 Can this teach? 00:06:13.419 --> 00:06:18.620 Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver and there is no breath at all in it. 00:06:19.439 --> 00:06:23.459 But the Lord is in his holy temple. 00:06:24.659 --> 00:06:29.000 Let all the earth keep silence before him. 00:06:29.799 --> 00:06:30.819 Let's pray together. 00:06:30.819 --> 00:06:42.399 Father, would you be with us now as we take a few brief moments to consider this message that you spoke to Habakkuk so many years ago. 00:06:42.540 --> 00:06:46.620 And continue to speak to us today through your Holy Spirit, by your word. 00:06:47.899 --> 00:06:53.539 Grant us understanding that we might grasp these things and live in light of their truth. 00:06:55.120 --> 00:06:56.439 Pray this in Christ's name. 00:06:56.500 --> 00:06:56.699 Amen. 00:06:56.699 --> 00:07:01.420 So here then we have Habakkuk's second complaint. 00:07:01.639 --> 00:07:04.800 This is chapter 1, verse 12 through 2, 1. 00:07:05.120 --> 00:07:10.560 And then we have God's long response in chapter 2, verses 2 through 20. 00:07:11.319 --> 00:07:17.339 You'll remember in chapter 1, verse 6, Habakkuk had heard of God's plan to use the Chaldeans, 00:07:17.419 --> 00:07:24.139 that is to use the Babylonians, to bring justice upon evil Judean rulers. 00:07:24.139 --> 00:07:31.060 But hearing that message now in our passage, the prophet's even more perplexed than he was at first. 00:07:32.479 --> 00:07:36.800 How can a good God use evil Babylon to punish his own people? 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:42.519 Habakkuk is finding it difficult to reconcile God's character with his actions. 00:07:42.659 --> 00:07:44.620 Look again at verse 12. 00:07:44.620 --> 00:07:50.680 Here in verse 12, Habakkuk correctly affirms the many attributes of God. 00:07:50.840 --> 00:07:52.379 God is eternal. 00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:54.780 God is holy. 00:07:55.699 --> 00:08:00.079 God is even powerful and sovereign over the nations, appointing them to do his will. 00:08:01.980 --> 00:08:05.500 Habakkuk's even confident in what God's character means for God's people. 00:08:05.620 --> 00:08:08.879 Knowing God to be eternal and holy and sovereign, Habakkuk says, 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:10.340 we shall not die. 00:08:10.339 --> 00:08:14.319 But in light of all this, there's still a problem. 00:08:16.099 --> 00:08:22.759 The prophet cannot understand why God would use the seemingly more evil nation of Babylon 00:08:22.759 --> 00:08:27.539 to punish the seemingly less evil nation of Judah, God's own people. 00:08:28.699 --> 00:08:30.839 Look at how he states this in verse 13. 00:08:30.979 --> 00:08:31.219 He says, 00:08:31.220 --> 00:08:35.460 You who are of purer eyes and to see evil and cannot look it wrong, 00:08:36.259 --> 00:08:41.820 why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he? 00:08:44.100 --> 00:08:47.940 And make no mistake, Babylon was an unjust and fearsome nation. 00:08:48.759 --> 00:08:53.519 Habakkuk here pictures them like an ancient fisher with a hook and a net, 00:08:53.519 --> 00:09:03.360 just dragging humans off into exile as easily and as violently as fish would be dragged out of the sea and hoisted onto land. 00:09:04.500 --> 00:09:05.720 And then to make it worse, 00:09:07.179 --> 00:09:10.600 the Babylonians turn around and they worship their nets, as it were, 00:09:11.279 --> 00:09:14.500 which is to say they worship their own power and wealth. 00:09:14.500 --> 00:09:17.519 And Habakkuk ends by saying, 00:09:18.580 --> 00:09:20.720 Is he, that is the Babylonians, 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:23.840 is he then to keep on emptying his net, God, 00:09:24.279 --> 00:09:26.700 and mercilessly killing nations forever? 00:09:28.279 --> 00:09:29.500 In other words, God, 00:09:29.779 --> 00:09:32.019 this is how you're going to bring about justice? 00:09:32.360 --> 00:09:33.159 Through them? 00:09:34.980 --> 00:09:38.919 Shouldn't God's instrument for the accomplishment of his purpose 00:09:38.919 --> 00:09:43.220 reflect something of his own purity and righteousness? 00:09:44.500 --> 00:09:51.559 The Babylonians display the same evil qualities as those against whom they were executing God's judgment. 00:09:52.539 --> 00:09:55.700 The Judean rulers at the time of Habakkuk were very wicked, 00:09:56.559 --> 00:10:00.639 and yet the Babylonians were wicked on an even greater scale. 00:10:01.659 --> 00:10:05.440 It seemed as if the cure was going to be far worse than the disease. 00:10:07.100 --> 00:10:09.559 And that didn't make any sense at all. 00:10:09.559 --> 00:10:18.199 And indeed, many of God's ways don't seem to make sense in this life. 00:10:19.399 --> 00:10:25.659 We often see the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer. 00:10:25.659 --> 00:10:32.980 We often see one unjust system or government collapse, 00:10:33.299 --> 00:10:37.259 only to be replaced by one that's even more unjust. 00:10:39.159 --> 00:10:40.559 And in the midst of it all, 00:10:40.679 --> 00:10:43.779 we can feel like fish in a net, 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:46.279 just being dragged against our will 00:10:46.279 --> 00:10:49.379 through the waves of human greed and selfishness. 00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:54.620 And it seems like there's never an end in sight. 00:10:55.659 --> 00:10:58.220 How can God allow this to go on? 00:10:59.220 --> 00:11:04.840 How can God use and allow such evil things when he is righteous? 00:11:04.840 --> 00:11:11.040 Well, God's answer to Habakkuk 00:11:11.040 --> 00:11:14.160 and God's answer to our own questioning hearts 00:11:14.160 --> 00:11:17.600 comes in two halves in his response. 00:11:19.100 --> 00:11:22.100 On the one hand, God reminds Habakkuk 00:11:22.100 --> 00:11:25.540 that evil will never ultimately prosper 00:11:25.540 --> 00:11:31.379 because God is still providentially orchestrating history 00:11:31.379 --> 00:11:33.860 for his own righteous purposes. 00:11:33.860 --> 00:11:38.759 We actually see this in the second part of chapter 2. 00:11:38.860 --> 00:11:39.820 We're going to look at that first. 00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:41.759 That's verses 5 through 20 00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:47.019 where God pronounces five woes upon Babylon 00:11:47.019 --> 00:11:49.740 in Habakkuk 2, 5 through 20. 00:11:50.460 --> 00:11:52.019 God's reminding Habakkuk here 00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:54.399 that evil isn't going to ultimately prosper, 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:58.259 that he is still providentially orchestrating history 00:11:58.259 --> 00:11:59.980 for his own righteous purposes. 00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:06.320 So he gives Habakkuk a preview of the woe 00:12:06.320 --> 00:12:09.200 that is the ultimate sorrow and judgment 00:12:09.200 --> 00:12:12.700 that is coming upon those who ignore God 00:12:12.700 --> 00:12:15.580 and who multiply injustice and evil, 00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:18.639 regardless of the plan that they might play 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:20.120 in the unfolding of history. 00:12:20.120 --> 00:12:24.879 As we scan over these five woes, 00:12:24.960 --> 00:12:29.320 we see that the first woe is a woe to the empire builder. 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:34.299 And the second woe is a woe to the exploiter. 00:12:35.980 --> 00:12:40.039 The third woe is a woe to the arrogant slave driver 00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:44.440 who would use humans like capital to build up wealth. 00:12:44.440 --> 00:12:49.080 The fourth woe is a woe to the demoralizer. 00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:52.940 And the fifth woe is a woe to the idolater. 00:12:55.340 --> 00:12:57.760 And these woes reveal God's judgment, 00:12:58.380 --> 00:13:00.060 not just upon the Babylonians, 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:02.720 but upon any human power 00:13:02.720 --> 00:13:06.660 that sets itself up against God's reign and rule. 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:12.860 The reality is every generation will see kingdoms 00:13:12.860 --> 00:13:16.860 that achieve a measure of temporal earthly success. 00:13:17.419 --> 00:13:20.240 From the tower builders of Babel 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:22.059 to the empire builders of Rome, 00:13:22.199 --> 00:13:24.439 down to the nation states of today. 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:27.959 Every generation will see kingdoms 00:13:27.959 --> 00:13:31.120 that achieve temporal earthly success. 00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:36.000 And God may even use some of these earthly kingdoms 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:37.980 to achieve his purposes. 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:42.940 Consider God used the Tower of Babel 00:13:42.940 --> 00:13:45.379 and the scattering of their languages 00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:46.740 to populate the earth 00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:49.320 and to spread them out, which was his will. 00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:53.679 God used the Pax Romana during the Roman Empire 00:13:53.679 --> 00:13:58.740 as a time when communication and travel 00:13:58.740 --> 00:14:01.120 was very easy to spread the gospel. 00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:06.940 God continues to use different nation states 00:14:06.940 --> 00:14:08.200 and political movements 00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:11.779 to seemingly advance some of his purposes. 00:14:12.460 --> 00:14:13.960 God still can do that. 00:14:16.460 --> 00:14:19.159 But none of these earthly kingdoms 00:14:19.159 --> 00:14:23.139 will ultimately prevail or escape God's judgment. 00:14:24.960 --> 00:14:28.240 God's righteousness will triumph in the end. 00:14:28.740 --> 00:14:29.360 God's glory. 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:31.320 And it is his glory 00:14:31.320 --> 00:14:33.480 that will cover the earth 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:35.580 like the waters cover the sea. 00:14:36.919 --> 00:14:39.299 It was once said that the sun never set 00:14:39.299 --> 00:14:40.620 on the British Empire. 00:14:42.100 --> 00:14:44.200 But friends, that was just a parody 00:14:44.200 --> 00:14:47.560 and at times even a mockery 00:14:47.560 --> 00:14:49.720 of God's glory 00:14:49.720 --> 00:14:52.299 that will truly cover the earth 00:14:52.299 --> 00:14:53.860 like the waters cover the sea. 00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:59.080 And any nation or political movement 00:14:59.080 --> 00:15:02.940 who thinks that they're going to spread their glory 00:15:02.940 --> 00:15:05.919 and bring in a reign of peace and justice 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:08.820 will be surprised on the last day 00:15:08.820 --> 00:15:10.120 when it collapses. 00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:15.779 So what God wanted Habakkuk to see 00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:17.320 and what he wants us to see 00:15:17.320 --> 00:15:20.000 is that the prophet lived 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:22.040 in between the times. 00:15:23.280 --> 00:15:25.180 Habakkuk lived between the already 00:15:25.180 --> 00:15:26.060 and the not yet. 00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:29.120 Already God's kingdom had begun to take shape. 00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:31.660 Already God's kingdom was on the move. 00:15:32.040 --> 00:15:34.379 We were seeing glimpses of his righteousness, 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:36.760 his justice, his mercy, his advance. 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:40.360 But it was not yet fulfilled and completed 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:41.980 all the way. 00:15:44.939 --> 00:15:47.279 The rise and fall of earthly empires, 00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:49.039 the seeming prosperity of the wicked, 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:51.679 the seeming confusion of God's purposes and plans. 00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:53.519 God wanted Habakkuk to see 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:55.319 that none of that was the last word. 00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:59.360 Yes, Babylon would be an instrument in his hands, 00:15:59.439 --> 00:16:01.139 but they too would face judgment. 00:16:02.580 --> 00:16:04.559 Yes, God might use them for a short time 00:16:04.559 --> 00:16:05.519 to achieve his purpose, 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:07.039 but they too would fall 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:08.460 before his perfect justice. 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:10.419 It would not be their glory 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:11.360 that covered the earth. 00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:13.340 It would be God's glory. 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:19.539 And this promise of worldwide glory, 00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:22.279 of God's glory covering the earth, 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:25.539 that was a promise that God 00:16:25.539 --> 00:16:27.179 would one day fulfill 00:16:27.179 --> 00:16:28.860 and will one day fulfill 00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:30.399 in Jesus Christ. 00:16:32.220 --> 00:16:33.779 Philippians 2 says that one day 00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:35.500 every knee will bow in heaven and on earth, 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:36.319 and under the earth, 00:16:36.759 --> 00:16:37.980 and every tongue confess 00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:39.379 that Jesus Christ is Lord 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:41.139 to the glory of God the Father. 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:44.579 You see, it's not through earthly empires 00:16:44.579 --> 00:16:47.620 that God's glory will spread. 00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:50.460 It is in Christ's sinless life, 00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:52.220 his sacrificial death, 00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:54.039 his victorious resurrection, 00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:55.419 and his vindicating reign, 00:16:55.679 --> 00:16:57.159 that is how God's righteousness 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:58.399 is finally revealed 00:16:58.399 --> 00:17:00.600 to all humanity over all the earth. 00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:04.640 So for the church today, 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:06.099 we too need to hear 00:17:06.099 --> 00:17:08.860 what God says to Habakkuk. 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:11.960 The kingdoms of this world 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:13.559 are not everlasting. 00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:15.839 They will fall. 00:17:17.400 --> 00:17:19.279 Even when God chooses to use 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.720 an unrighteous instrument 00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:21.759 for his purposes, 00:17:22.339 --> 00:17:24.700 that doesn't mean they will escape 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:25.680 his ultimate justice. 00:17:25.680 --> 00:17:27.720 One day, 00:17:27.840 --> 00:17:29.620 every knee will bow to Christ. 00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:32.000 One day, 00:17:32.180 --> 00:17:33.060 woe will come 00:17:33.060 --> 00:17:34.180 upon all who choose 00:17:34.180 --> 00:17:35.259 to exploit others 00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:37.180 or worship false gods 00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:38.580 or ignore God's commands. 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:42.360 And the only way 00:17:42.360 --> 00:17:43.820 to safely come through 00:17:43.820 --> 00:17:44.660 God's judgment 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:47.140 is to willingly 00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:49.140 bow our knees to Christ 00:17:49.140 --> 00:17:51.520 and confess him as Lord. 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:54.920 You know, friend, 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:56.620 perhaps today you enjoy 00:17:56.620 --> 00:17:58.460 privilege 00:17:58.460 --> 00:17:59.680 or power 00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:00.740 or success 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:01.560 of some kind. 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:04.140 But you know, 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:04.700 in the end, 00:18:04.860 --> 00:18:05.700 none of those things 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:06.480 will save you. 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.920 Being highly educated 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:12.580 won't save you. 00:18:13.780 --> 00:18:14.759 Being a citizen 00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:15.980 of a certain country 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:17.240 won't save you. 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:19.160 Even doing lots 00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:19.980 of good deeds 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:20.839 won't save you. 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:22.740 Perfect justice 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.859 is coming. 00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:27.859 God's righteousness 00:18:27.859 --> 00:18:29.980 will prevail. 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:32.339 And the only thing 00:18:32.339 --> 00:18:33.259 that will save us 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:34.720 is the righteousness 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.440 of Christ. 00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:38.640 In Jesus Christ, 00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:40.339 God became a human being 00:18:40.339 --> 00:18:42.339 and he lived the life 00:18:42.339 --> 00:18:43.019 that you and I 00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:43.759 should have lived. 00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:45.759 And he died the death 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:47.140 that we deserve to die. 00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:49.120 So that God's justice 00:18:49.120 --> 00:18:50.279 could be satisfied 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:51.559 and so that we could 00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:52.140 be accepted 00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:52.680 on the basis 00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:53.680 of his works 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:54.779 and not our own. 00:18:55.880 --> 00:18:57.640 That is the only way 00:18:57.640 --> 00:18:58.799 to escape 00:18:58.799 --> 00:19:00.099 God's coming 00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:01.700 perfect justice 00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:03.099 and to stand 00:19:03.099 --> 00:19:03.740 before God 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.680 in a right relationship 00:19:04.680 --> 00:19:05.160 with him. 00:19:08.920 --> 00:19:10.319 So this is the first part 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:11.059 of God's answer 00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:11.839 to Habakkuk. 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:12.579 When his ways 00:19:12.579 --> 00:19:14.000 seem inscrutable 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:15.339 and when we can't 00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:16.019 understand how 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:16.740 a just God 00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:17.339 could be at work 00:19:17.339 --> 00:19:18.319 in an unjust world, 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.700 God reminds Habakkuk 00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:20.740 and us that we aren't 00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:22.099 at the end of the story yet. 00:19:22.879 --> 00:19:23.839 That his justice 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:25.180 will be vindicated 00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:26.500 and will be seen. 00:19:27.139 --> 00:19:28.059 And living in light 00:19:28.059 --> 00:19:28.599 as we are 00:19:28.599 --> 00:19:29.859 of the New Testament, 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.319 seeing what God 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:32.000 has done 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.440 and is doing 00:19:32.440 --> 00:19:32.960 in Christ, 00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:34.460 we know that God's justice 00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:35.599 will ultimately 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:36.500 be demonstrated 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:38.039 because we've seen it 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:39.139 happen in Christ 00:19:39.139 --> 00:19:40.700 and we have the promise 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:41.639 that he will fulfill it 00:19:41.639 --> 00:19:42.160 in the future. 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:46.300 So this leads us 00:19:46.300 --> 00:19:47.060 to the second thing 00:19:47.060 --> 00:19:47.880 that God wants 00:19:47.880 --> 00:19:48.620 Habakkuk to know. 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:49.779 First, 00:19:49.860 --> 00:19:50.320 they have to know 00:19:50.320 --> 00:19:51.279 that evil isn't going 00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:52.340 to ultimately prevail 00:19:52.340 --> 00:19:53.440 but second, 00:19:54.320 --> 00:19:55.080 this means that 00:19:55.080 --> 00:19:55.880 God's people 00:19:55.880 --> 00:19:57.500 are called 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:58.340 to live 00:19:58.340 --> 00:19:59.820 by faith. 00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:02.140 We see this 00:20:02.140 --> 00:20:03.400 in verses 2-4 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:04.360 of chapter 2. 00:20:05.800 --> 00:20:06.500 Habakkuk says, 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:07.560 And the Lord answered me, 00:20:07.800 --> 00:20:08.460 write the vision 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:09.200 and make it plain 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:09.800 on tables 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.619 so he may run 00:20:10.619 --> 00:20:11.339 who reads it 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:12.899 for still the vision 00:20:12.899 --> 00:20:14.159 awaits its appointed time. 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:15.259 It hastens to the end, 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:16.220 it will not lie. 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:17.119 If it seems slow, 00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:17.839 wait for it. 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:19.419 It will surely come, 00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:20.419 it will not delay. 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:22.259 There God is saying, 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:22.980 look, 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:24.500 the time of justice 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:25.460 is coming, 00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:26.419 write it, 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:27.460 publish it, 00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:28.720 hold on to it. 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:30.460 If it seems slow, 00:20:30.619 --> 00:20:31.220 wait for it, 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:32.039 it is coming. 00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:34.200 And then he says 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:34.799 in verse 4, 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:35.440 before, 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:36.319 behold, 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.700 his soul is puffed up, 00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:38.720 it is not right within him. 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:39.660 He's sort of looking 00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:40.819 at a hypothetical person 00:20:40.819 --> 00:20:41.940 who doesn't trust God, 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:43.539 like the Babylonians. 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.860 But then in the second half 00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:46.319 of verse 4, 00:20:46.360 --> 00:20:46.680 he says, 00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:48.500 but the righteous 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.759 shall live 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:51.500 by their faith. 00:20:54.819 --> 00:20:55.839 Though the timing 00:20:55.839 --> 00:20:56.920 of God's just purposes 00:20:56.920 --> 00:20:57.880 may seem slow, 00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:59.259 God reminds Habakkuk 00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:00.740 that it is surely coming. 00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:03.079 And although some 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:04.720 will remain puffed up 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.480 with pride, 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:07.500 God's people are called 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:08.500 to live 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:10.059 not in pride, 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:12.720 but in faith. 00:21:13.859 --> 00:21:14.380 That is, 00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:14.720 we're called 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.839 to trust God 00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:16.720 and to keep 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:18.220 on holding on 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:19.519 to his goodness 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.380 and his righteousness 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:21.740 even in trying 00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:22.940 and troubled times, 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:24.900 even when God's ways 00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:26.140 are not clear. 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:28.960 Habakkuk says, 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:29.960 the righteous, 00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:30.839 God's people, 00:21:31.359 --> 00:21:32.059 this is how they're 00:21:32.059 --> 00:21:32.660 to live in this 00:21:32.660 --> 00:21:33.539 in-between time, 00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:34.859 through faith, 00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:36.519 trusting God. 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:40.460 But keep in mind, 00:21:40.639 --> 00:21:42.900 this path 00:21:42.900 --> 00:21:44.019 of trusting God, 00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:45.119 it's not a sort of path 00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:46.579 of just blind faith, 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:46.980 right? 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:47.900 It isn't just 00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:49.099 wishful thinking. 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.000 No, 00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:50.940 what Habakkuk 00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:52.299 invites us into 00:21:52.299 --> 00:21:54.339 is a deep-rooted 00:21:54.339 --> 00:21:55.119 trust 00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:56.900 in the eternal, 00:21:57.920 --> 00:21:58.900 providential, 00:21:59.119 --> 00:21:59.980 ever-present 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:00.879 God. 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:03.279 We're called 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:03.920 to trust 00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:04.900 in God 00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:05.480 and who God's 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:06.320 revealed himself 00:22:06.320 --> 00:22:06.960 to be. 00:22:10.080 --> 00:22:10.620 You know, 00:22:10.660 --> 00:22:11.200 on the one hand, 00:22:11.280 --> 00:22:11.940 what Habakkuk 00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:12.960 seems to want 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:14.440 in this second complaint, 00:22:15.100 --> 00:22:16.440 what he seems to want 00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:17.780 is just a quick answer 00:22:17.780 --> 00:22:18.840 to his perplexing 00:22:18.840 --> 00:22:19.540 circumstances. 00:22:19.780 --> 00:22:20.019 God, 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:21.600 help me sort this out. 00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:24.340 But you know, 00:22:24.380 --> 00:22:25.060 that's not what God 00:22:25.060 --> 00:22:25.620 gives him. 00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:26.259 He doesn't give him 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:27.019 a quick answer. 00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:29.500 Instead, 00:22:29.639 --> 00:22:30.539 what God invites 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.279 Habakkuk into 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:32.480 is a deeper knowledge 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:34.139 of God himself 00:22:34.139 --> 00:22:35.839 to trust him. 00:22:38.420 --> 00:22:39.279 It's a lot like 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:40.000 the book of Job, 00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:40.799 you know. 00:22:41.379 --> 00:22:41.700 You know, 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:42.139 you remember 00:22:42.139 --> 00:22:43.160 the story of Job. 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:44.339 Job was sort of 00:22:44.339 --> 00:22:45.319 the wealthiest man 00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:45.960 of his day. 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:47.980 But then suddenly 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:49.039 he loses everything. 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:50.819 Loses his wealth, 00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:51.839 he loses his family, 00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:53.319 he loses his physical health. 00:22:53.319 --> 00:22:56.259 And for many chapters, 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:58.399 Job wrestles with God. 00:22:59.200 --> 00:23:00.639 And then Job's friends 00:23:00.639 --> 00:23:01.559 wrestle with him. 00:23:03.859 --> 00:23:05.159 And many of Job's 00:23:05.159 --> 00:23:06.399 questions to God, 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:07.379 you know, 00:23:07.419 --> 00:23:08.319 they remain unanswered 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.960 by the end of the book. 00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:13.399 But the amazing thing 00:23:13.399 --> 00:23:14.039 about Job 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:16.159 is that whereas Job 00:23:16.159 --> 00:23:17.619 doesn't get answers, 00:23:18.319 --> 00:23:19.960 what he does get 00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:22.480 is God himself. 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:26.200 God reveals himself 00:23:26.200 --> 00:23:26.639 to Job 00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:27.059 in the midst 00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:27.679 of his suffering 00:23:27.679 --> 00:23:28.379 as sovereign, 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:29.639 as wise, 00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:30.700 as good. 00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:33.679 And for Job, 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:35.279 that is enough. 00:23:37.139 --> 00:23:37.899 In the end, 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:38.460 Job says, 00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:39.539 I humble myself 00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:40.539 before you, God, 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:42.759 and I remain silent. 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:44.819 I trust you. 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:50.159 And is it interesting 00:23:50.159 --> 00:23:51.019 that here in Habakkuk 00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:51.839 we read at the end 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:52.500 of chapter 2, 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.660 but the Lord 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:54.779 is in his holy temple. 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:57.259 Let all the earth 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.700 keep silence before him. 00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:01.900 Things may be going 00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:02.799 completely, 00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:03.819 to our perspective, 00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:04.660 chaotically 00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.900 in the world around us. 00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:08.480 But the Lord 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:09.660 is in his holy temple. 00:24:12.359 --> 00:24:13.299 Let all the earth 00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:14.640 keep silence before him. 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.759 Consider what the temple 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:20.500 meant for God's people 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:21.259 in the Old Testament. 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:23.879 The Lord is in his temple. 00:24:25.599 --> 00:24:26.720 Consider what the temple 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:27.220 meant. 00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:27.759 You know, 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:29.019 the temple was the place 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:31.579 of God's symbolic presence 00:24:31.579 --> 00:24:32.559 in their midst. 00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:35.180 But it wasn't just that. 00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:35.900 It wasn't just sort of 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:36.640 the place where God 00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:37.259 dwelled. 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:39.900 For the Israelites, 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:41.220 the temple was the place 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:42.259 where God provided 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:43.660 atonement for his people. 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:46.640 It was where the sacrifices 00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:47.240 happened 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:48.819 for the atonement 00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:49.700 of their sins. 00:24:51.279 --> 00:24:52.599 So the temple then, 00:24:52.659 --> 00:24:54.159 it wasn't just God's holiness 00:24:54.159 --> 00:24:54.980 that was revealed, 00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:56.259 his holy presence, 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:57.319 but also his mercy 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:58.419 was on display there. 00:25:01.059 --> 00:25:01.939 God's holiness 00:25:01.939 --> 00:25:03.000 and mercy 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:04.200 were shown to them 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:05.259 in the temple. 00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:09.399 And we're told, 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:10.159 in Hebrews, 00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:10.819 we see this, 00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:11.559 and also there's echoes 00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:12.639 of this in the Old Testament 00:25:12.639 --> 00:25:13.099 as well, 00:25:13.159 --> 00:25:14.480 that the earthly temple 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.279 was just a sort of 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:17.639 figure of God's heavenly temple 00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:19.740 where his holiness 00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:20.559 and his mercy 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:22.180 were on infinite display. 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:24.059 The Lord is in his 00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:25.200 holy temple. 00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:31.299 And it is faith, 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.819 it is trust, 00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:33.720 in this God, 00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:35.579 the holy and merciful God, 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:37.399 that Habakkuk calls us to. 00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:41.960 And we are called to trust 00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:42.859 that this God, 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:44.759 the holy and merciful God, 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:47.099 unfolds all things, 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.500 even the difficult 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:49.980 and inexplicable things, 00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:51.519 according to his wise 00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.879 and compassionate purposes. 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.440 You know, 00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:56.319 this part of Habakkuk 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:57.680 reminds us somewhat 00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:58.660 of Psalm 73. 00:25:58.980 --> 00:26:00.579 Do you remember Psalm 73? 00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:02.099 In Psalm 73, 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:03.519 the psalmist kind of struggles 00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:04.500 to reconcile 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:06.640 what he sees on the one hand, 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.660 which is the prosperity 00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:08.339 of the wicked, 00:26:08.680 --> 00:26:09.920 and on the other hand, 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:12.180 God's apparent inactivity. 00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:14.600 The psalmist sort of sees 00:26:14.600 --> 00:26:16.740 all these unrighteous people 00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:17.580 prospering, 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.420 and God seems to do 00:26:18.420 --> 00:26:19.360 nothing about it 00:26:19.360 --> 00:26:20.100 as they get richer 00:26:20.100 --> 00:26:20.980 and richer and richer 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:23.960 through evil and injustice. 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:27.519 But then in verse 17 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.400 of Psalm 73, 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:29.200 the psalmist, 00:26:29.360 --> 00:26:29.740 he says, 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:31.340 he goes to the sanctuary, 00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:32.539 to the temple, 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:35.019 and he realizes 00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:36.799 what the end will be. 00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:40.299 In the temple, 00:26:40.419 --> 00:26:41.680 the psalmist is assured 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:43.220 of God's providential rule 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:44.200 over all things 00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:45.940 and that the wicked 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:47.539 will not ultimately prevail. 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:50.700 God will be merciful 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:51.539 and righteous. 00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:53.680 He will vindicate himself 00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:55.019 and his people. 00:26:59.079 --> 00:26:59.940 Now, friends, 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:01.579 can we find that assurance today? 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:05.559 Can we, like Habakkuk, 00:27:05.559 --> 00:27:07.299 see God in his holy temple 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:08.700 and be silent before him 00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:09.759 in trusting faith? 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:12.639 Can we, like the psalmist 00:27:12.639 --> 00:27:13.599 in Psalm 73, 00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:15.659 behold God in the sanctuary 00:27:15.659 --> 00:27:16.579 and be assured 00:27:16.579 --> 00:27:17.539 that his mercy 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:18.619 and justice will prevail? 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.079 Well, you know, 00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:23.960 we don't have the temple 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:24.759 anymore, do we? 00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:27.940 But we do have something better. 00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:32.480 Because we know the one 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:33.680 who fulfilled the temple. 00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:36.100 We know the one 00:27:36.100 --> 00:27:36.620 that the temple 00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:37.779 merely prefigured. 00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:40.660 Because Jesus Christ, 00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:41.580 God's Son, 00:27:42.840 --> 00:27:44.779 is God's ultimate temple. 00:27:46.440 --> 00:27:47.360 When Jesus said 00:27:47.360 --> 00:27:48.120 in John's Gospel, 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:48.940 destroy this temple 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:49.820 and in three days 00:27:49.820 --> 00:27:50.840 I will raise it up, 00:27:51.320 --> 00:27:51.940 he was saying 00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:53.279 that in his own person, 00:27:53.380 --> 00:27:54.240 in his own body, 00:27:54.620 --> 00:27:56.720 he was the true temple. 00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:58.579 He was the true place 00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:59.640 where God's holiness 00:27:59.640 --> 00:28:01.680 and mercy were realized. 00:28:05.360 --> 00:28:06.600 Destroy this temple, 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.180 Jesus said, 00:28:07.200 --> 00:28:07.980 and in three days 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:08.940 I will raise it up. 00:28:09.339 --> 00:28:10.140 What was Jesus 00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:11.140 talking about there? 00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.759 Well, he was looking ahead 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.500 to the cross 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:14.400 and to the empty tomb. 00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:17.180 And today, 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:18.880 when we look to the cross 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:19.839 and when we look 00:28:19.839 --> 00:28:20.720 to the empty tomb, 00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:23.779 when we behold God 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:26.500 in the incarnate sanctuary, 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:28.519 in the true temple, 00:28:28.599 --> 00:28:29.180 the crucified 00:28:29.180 --> 00:28:30.480 and risen Jesus, 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:33.740 you see, 00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:34.399 then our faith, 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:34.639 friends, 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:35.980 isn't just blind faith 00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:36.799 or wishful thinking. 00:28:38.859 --> 00:28:40.000 Then it's faith 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:42.339 in who God really is. 00:28:43.319 --> 00:28:44.680 And it's a sure faith. 00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:45.940 And it's a certain faith. 00:28:46.420 --> 00:28:48.019 And it's a persevering faith. 00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:50.859 And this is the assurance, 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:51.779 this is the trust 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:52.779 that can see us through 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:54.660 the most trying times. 00:28:57.139 --> 00:28:58.940 Romans 8, 31 through 32 00:28:58.940 --> 00:28:59.779 says it best. 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:02.220 Paul says, 00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:03.259 What shall we say then 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:04.180 to these things? 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:07.120 If God is for us, 00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:09.039 who can be against us? 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:11.440 He who did not spare 00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:12.259 his own son 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:12.980 but gave him up 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:13.640 for us all, 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.860 how will he not also 00:29:15.860 --> 00:29:16.420 with him 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:18.160 graciously give us 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:19.720 all things? 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:24.539 Paul looks to Christ, 00:29:25.620 --> 00:29:27.100 sees his circumstances. 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:28.039 We're like sheep 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:29.059 led to the slaughter, 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:29.779 Paul says. 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:30.819 And yet he can look 00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.940 at Christ and say, 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:32.740 no. 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:35.680 If God did not spare 00:29:35.680 --> 00:29:36.460 his own son, 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:38.720 how will he not also 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:39.140 with him 00:29:39.140 --> 00:29:40.100 graciously give us 00:29:40.100 --> 00:29:41.100 all things? 00:29:42.180 --> 00:29:43.559 God's justice 00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:44.160 and mercy 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:45.079 will, 00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:46.519 they must prevail. 00:29:49.360 --> 00:29:50.380 Faith in the God 00:29:50.380 --> 00:29:50.900 who provided 00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:51.839 his only son, 00:29:51.940 --> 00:29:53.019 that is the foundation 00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:54.339 for living with confidence 00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:55.620 and hope 00:29:55.620 --> 00:29:57.100 in a fallen world 00:29:57.100 --> 00:29:58.380 filled with many trials 00:29:58.380 --> 00:29:58.940 and tears. 00:29:58.940 --> 00:29:59.080 others. 00:30:01.820 --> 00:30:02.700 And you know, 00:30:02.820 --> 00:30:04.480 it's only through faith 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:05.600 that we can live. 00:30:08.660 --> 00:30:09.740 The Apostle Paul 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:11.380 will quote this verse 00:30:11.380 --> 00:30:12.600 from Habakkuk 2.4 00:30:12.600 --> 00:30:14.400 when talking about 00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:15.400 the very heart 00:30:15.400 --> 00:30:16.320 of salvation. 00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:20.720 When talking about 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.519 the very heart 00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:22.319 of our salvation, 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:22.960 Paul will say, 00:30:23.059 --> 00:30:24.119 it's not by works 00:30:24.119 --> 00:30:24.960 that we're saved. 00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:26.839 It's not by our own 00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:27.720 good deeds. 00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:28.779 He says, 00:30:28.839 --> 00:30:29.679 the righteous live 00:30:29.679 --> 00:30:30.439 by faith. 00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:31.779 Don't you remember Habakkuk? 00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:35.480 Now we might think, 00:30:35.579 --> 00:30:35.779 man, 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:36.379 is Paul kind of 00:30:36.379 --> 00:30:37.279 quoting that out of context? 00:30:37.379 --> 00:30:38.259 I thought Habakkuk 2.4 00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:39.180 was about persevering 00:30:39.180 --> 00:30:39.940 in trying times. 00:30:40.119 --> 00:30:40.680 Now he's saying 00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:41.440 it's about justification 00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:42.220 by faith. 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:43.839 But Paul sees 00:30:43.839 --> 00:30:44.579 that it's the same, 00:30:44.879 --> 00:30:45.759 it's two sides 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:46.639 of the same coin. 00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:50.000 It's trusting God 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:51.460 above all else. 00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:54.440 Faith isn't just 00:30:54.440 --> 00:30:55.119 the path 00:30:55.119 --> 00:30:56.399 to persevere 00:30:56.399 --> 00:30:57.379 in trying times. 00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:58.720 Faith's the only way 00:30:58.720 --> 00:30:59.660 to embrace God's 00:30:59.660 --> 00:31:00.420 saving grace 00:31:00.420 --> 00:31:01.639 in the first place. 00:31:01.779 --> 00:31:10.639 So as we wrap up then, 00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:11.519 how about you, friend? 00:31:14.619 --> 00:31:15.299 Perhaps you're here, 00:31:15.379 --> 00:31:15.839 you're a Christian 00:31:15.839 --> 00:31:16.700 and you look around 00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:17.539 at the world 00:31:17.539 --> 00:31:18.399 and you maybe look 00:31:18.399 --> 00:31:19.259 at your own life 00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:20.839 and maybe you don't see 00:31:20.839 --> 00:31:21.399 much evidence 00:31:21.399 --> 00:31:22.399 of God's righteousness, 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:23.480 of God's goodness, 00:31:23.700 --> 00:31:24.539 of God's mercy, 00:31:24.639 --> 00:31:25.839 of God's faithfulness. 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:29.319 Habakkuk is here 00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:30.180 to remind us 00:31:30.180 --> 00:31:31.440 to keep trusting 00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:32.420 God. 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:34.360 His righteousness 00:31:34.360 --> 00:31:35.279 will prevail. 00:31:35.400 --> 00:31:35.880 His kingdom 00:31:35.880 --> 00:31:37.000 will come. 00:31:38.120 --> 00:31:39.180 It might not be clear 00:31:39.180 --> 00:31:40.420 how or when, 00:31:41.080 --> 00:31:41.960 but we can know 00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:42.400 it will. 00:31:43.860 --> 00:31:45.200 And how can we have 00:31:45.200 --> 00:31:46.140 that kind of assurance? 00:31:47.900 --> 00:31:48.759 We consider 00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:49.440 the true temple 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:49.900 of God, 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:51.140 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:31:51.140 --> 00:31:52.140 God's faithfulness 00:31:52.140 --> 00:31:53.820 and as we ask, 00:31:53.820 --> 00:31:54.720 as we ask 00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:55.440 with Habakkuk, 00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:56.600 can God use, 00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:57.980 how could God use 00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:59.300 unjust instruments 00:31:59.300 --> 00:32:00.280 to accomplish 00:32:00.280 --> 00:32:01.360 His just purposes? 00:32:01.920 --> 00:32:03.340 Is God losing control 00:32:03.340 --> 00:32:03.960 when the wicked 00:32:03.960 --> 00:32:04.880 seem to prevail? 00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:06.840 When as believers 00:32:06.840 --> 00:32:07.500 those questions 00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:08.800 crop up in our hearts? 00:32:10.080 --> 00:32:10.480 Friends, 00:32:10.540 --> 00:32:11.560 we look to the cross. 00:32:14.060 --> 00:32:15.000 Have you considered 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.620 that the cross 00:32:15.620 --> 00:32:16.960 was the most unjust 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:18.580 and wicked act 00:32:18.580 --> 00:32:19.860 ever perpetrated 00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:20.779 by human beings? 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:24.159 We literally 00:32:24.159 --> 00:32:25.199 killed 00:32:25.199 --> 00:32:26.159 the Lord 00:32:26.159 --> 00:32:26.899 of life. 00:32:30.519 --> 00:32:31.699 But through 00:32:31.699 --> 00:32:33.059 this unjust 00:32:33.059 --> 00:32:35.240 and wicked act, 00:32:35.979 --> 00:32:37.559 God sovereignly 00:32:37.559 --> 00:32:38.119 brought about 00:32:38.119 --> 00:32:38.679 forgiveness 00:32:38.679 --> 00:32:40.199 and justification 00:32:40.199 --> 00:32:41.819 and salvation 00:32:41.819 --> 00:32:42.579 for all 00:32:42.579 --> 00:32:43.319 who believe. 00:32:43.319 --> 00:32:46.839 look to the cross 00:32:46.839 --> 00:32:47.899 and trust 00:32:47.899 --> 00:32:49.019 that God 00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:49.439 is working 00:32:49.439 --> 00:32:50.159 all things 00:32:50.159 --> 00:32:50.720 for good 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:51.939 for those 00:32:51.939 --> 00:32:52.500 who love Him 00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:53.000 and are called 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:54.139 according to His purpose. 00:32:57.619 --> 00:32:58.319 Perhaps you're here 00:32:58.319 --> 00:32:59.099 and you're not a Christian 00:32:59.099 --> 00:32:59.759 and you know, 00:32:59.899 --> 00:33:00.039 friend, 00:33:00.159 --> 00:33:01.259 the invitation 00:33:01.259 --> 00:33:02.559 is actually 00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:03.619 the same for you. 00:33:05.319 --> 00:33:06.339 It's a call 00:33:06.339 --> 00:33:07.240 to trust. 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:08.659 It's a call 00:33:08.659 --> 00:33:09.339 to faith. 00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:09.980 The righteous 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:10.599 shall live 00:33:10.599 --> 00:33:11.240 by faith, 00:33:11.359 --> 00:33:12.019 Habakkuk says. 00:33:12.019 --> 00:33:14.960 And you know, 00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:15.519 the funny thing is 00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:16.059 when you think about it, 00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:16.879 we all place our faith 00:33:16.879 --> 00:33:17.400 in something, 00:33:17.680 --> 00:33:17.960 right? 00:33:19.379 --> 00:33:20.180 I guess at the end 00:33:20.180 --> 00:33:20.440 of the day, 00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:21.139 the question isn't 00:33:21.139 --> 00:33:22.119 whether we believe 00:33:22.119 --> 00:33:23.099 or not, 00:33:23.160 --> 00:33:23.980 whether we have faith 00:33:23.980 --> 00:33:24.559 or not. 00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:25.259 The question is, 00:33:25.299 --> 00:33:25.740 what do we put 00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.400 our faith in? 00:33:27.079 --> 00:33:28.139 What do we put 00:33:28.139 --> 00:33:28.960 our trust in? 00:33:32.839 --> 00:33:33.980 Is there a worthier 00:33:33.980 --> 00:33:35.359 object of your trust 00:33:35.359 --> 00:33:36.660 than Jesus Christ? 00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:39.480 Who else loved you 00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:40.759 enough to die for you? 00:33:42.019 --> 00:33:43.240 Who else is willing 00:33:43.240 --> 00:33:44.019 to forgive you 00:33:44.019 --> 00:33:44.920 and restore you 00:33:44.920 --> 00:33:45.639 and bless you 00:33:45.639 --> 00:33:46.099 though you've done 00:33:46.099 --> 00:33:47.220 nothing to deserve it? 00:33:49.420 --> 00:33:50.700 You can try to earn 00:33:50.700 --> 00:33:51.259 God's favor 00:33:51.259 --> 00:33:52.619 or work for your salvation 00:33:52.619 --> 00:33:53.579 or try to sort of 00:33:53.579 --> 00:33:54.660 build a righteousness 00:33:54.660 --> 00:33:55.319 on your own 00:33:55.319 --> 00:33:56.019 so you have something 00:33:56.019 --> 00:33:57.019 to offer back to God, 00:33:57.059 --> 00:33:57.839 but it won't work. 00:33:59.779 --> 00:34:01.119 Your best efforts 00:34:01.119 --> 00:34:02.519 can't sustain 00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:03.660 the weight 00:34:03.660 --> 00:34:04.759 of your whole life 00:34:04.759 --> 00:34:06.299 and they certainly 00:34:06.299 --> 00:34:07.039 won't sustain 00:34:07.039 --> 00:34:07.480 the weight 00:34:07.480 --> 00:34:08.840 of God's perfect justice. 00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:12.120 But Jesus can 00:34:12.120 --> 00:34:14.480 and he's done it 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:14.960 for you. 00:34:15.740 --> 00:34:16.680 So trust him. 00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:18.900 Trust him 00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:19.740 and you will 00:34:19.740 --> 00:34:20.600 live, 00:34:21.559 --> 00:34:22.160 God says. 00:34:23.340 --> 00:34:24.140 Let's pray. 00:34:24.139 --> 00:34:31.400 Father, hearing 00:34:31.400 --> 00:34:33.159 Habakkuk's call, 00:34:33.299 --> 00:34:33.819 your call 00:34:33.819 --> 00:34:34.719 through Habakkuk 00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:36.440 to live 00:34:36.440 --> 00:34:37.359 in faith, 00:34:39.099 --> 00:34:40.480 we at times 00:34:40.480 --> 00:34:41.339 feel like 00:34:41.339 --> 00:34:43.739 the man 00:34:43.739 --> 00:34:44.659 who came to Jesus 00:34:44.659 --> 00:34:45.319 with the son 00:34:45.319 --> 00:34:46.000 who was suffering 00:34:46.000 --> 00:34:47.779 and who said 00:34:47.779 --> 00:34:48.159 to Jesus, 00:34:48.319 --> 00:34:49.199 Lord, we believe. 00:34:49.719 --> 00:34:50.659 Help our unbelief. 00:34:50.659 --> 00:34:54.440 So in these 00:34:54.440 --> 00:34:55.559 quiet moments here, 00:34:56.559 --> 00:34:57.960 we look to you, 00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:58.460 Lord Jesus, 00:34:59.179 --> 00:35:00.559 saying, 00:35:00.839 --> 00:35:01.639 help our unbelief. 00:35:03.039 --> 00:35:04.379 We know you're good. 00:35:05.139 --> 00:35:06.500 We know you're righteous. 00:35:09.940 --> 00:35:11.179 We need your spirit 00:35:11.179 --> 00:35:11.719 to come 00:35:11.719 --> 00:35:16.119 to strengthen our faith 00:35:16.119 --> 00:35:16.719 once again 00:35:16.719 --> 00:35:19.899 as kingdoms rise 00:35:19.899 --> 00:35:20.879 and kingdoms fall, 00:35:22.579 --> 00:35:23.719 as the unjust 00:35:23.719 --> 00:35:24.139 and the wicked 00:35:24.139 --> 00:35:25.079 seem to prosper, 00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:28.059 as we get so confused 00:35:28.059 --> 00:35:29.000 who to trust, 00:35:30.519 --> 00:35:31.599 which end is up? 00:35:33.799 --> 00:35:35.259 Lord, recalibrate us, 00:35:35.359 --> 00:35:36.339 realign us 00:35:36.339 --> 00:35:37.839 to you. 00:35:40.799 --> 00:35:41.919 And would we walk 00:35:41.919 --> 00:35:42.399 in faith 00:35:42.399 --> 00:35:43.219 and trust in you? 00:35:43.219 --> 00:35:46.599 God, 00:35:46.639 --> 00:35:47.599 and as we do so, 00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:49.959 we pray 00:35:49.959 --> 00:35:52.299 that we would experience 00:35:52.299 --> 00:35:52.939 the great gifts 00:35:52.939 --> 00:35:53.500 of faith, 00:35:55.099 --> 00:35:57.199 that trusting you 00:35:57.199 --> 00:35:58.039 in trying times, 00:35:58.119 --> 00:35:58.959 we would find joy. 00:36:00.279 --> 00:36:01.599 We would find peace. 00:36:02.500 --> 00:36:03.259 We would find 00:36:03.259 --> 00:36:03.799 perseverance. 00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:05.779 We would find 00:36:05.779 --> 00:36:06.980 compassion for others. 00:36:07.879 --> 00:36:08.939 We would find wisdom. 00:36:11.419 --> 00:36:11.899 Lord, 00:36:11.939 --> 00:36:12.579 and as we walk 00:36:12.579 --> 00:36:13.079 in this way, 00:36:13.159 --> 00:36:13.639 we pray 00:36:13.639 --> 00:36:15.860 that it wouldn't be us 00:36:15.860 --> 00:36:16.719 who get the glory, 00:36:17.059 --> 00:36:18.000 who get the praise. 00:36:19.340 --> 00:36:19.699 Lord, 00:36:19.739 --> 00:36:20.559 we don't need people 00:36:20.559 --> 00:36:21.239 to look at us 00:36:21.239 --> 00:36:21.639 and say, 00:36:21.759 --> 00:36:22.000 my, 00:36:22.119 --> 00:36:23.980 how stable they are. 00:36:25.440 --> 00:36:25.840 No, 00:36:25.920 --> 00:36:26.119 God, 00:36:26.159 --> 00:36:26.699 we want people 00:36:26.699 --> 00:36:27.380 to see you 00:36:27.380 --> 00:36:29.019 and how stable 00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:29.679 you are 00:36:29.679 --> 00:36:31.500 and how good 00:36:31.500 --> 00:36:32.079 you are 00:36:32.079 --> 00:36:33.299 to all 00:36:33.299 --> 00:36:34.159 who come to you. 00:36:35.279 --> 00:36:35.559 Lord, 00:36:35.639 --> 00:36:35.880 indeed, 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:36.380 our hope 00:36:36.380 --> 00:36:36.799 is built 00:36:36.799 --> 00:36:37.880 on nothing less 00:36:37.880 --> 00:36:39.699 than Jesus' 00:36:39.900 --> 00:36:40.159 blood 00:36:40.159 --> 00:36:41.119 and righteousness. 00:36:41.119 --> 00:36:42.779 amen. 00:36:50.579 --> 00:36:51.579 Amen. 00:36:51.699 --> 00:36:51.880 Amen. 00:36:51.880 --> 00:36:52.019 Amen. 00:36:52.099 --> 00:36:52.500 Amen.