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, 00:00:19.660 --> 00:00:22.719 please visit us online at lakesidebible.church. 00:00:23.000 --> 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 --> 00:00:37.879 For specific questions about the Bible or our church, please email us at info at lakesidebible.church. 00:00:40.500 --> 00:00:45.179 Well, I want to invite you to take your Bibles and turn with me to Habakkuk chapter 1. 00:00:45.320 --> 00:00:47.579 Habakkuk chapter 1, we'll finish this chapter today, 00:00:47.780 --> 00:00:52.620 and we'll get right into chapter 2 and finish that chapter, Lord willing, next Sunday. 00:00:52.619 --> 00:00:55.780 But Habakkuk chapter 1 is where we are for now. 00:00:56.399 --> 00:01:05.200 Now, it's not unusual for seasons of understanding to be followed by seasons of doubt and confusion. 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:10.719 Because our lives before Christ are consumed with great darkness, 00:01:11.459 --> 00:01:17.719 the light of Christ at the moment of salvation brings an amazing sense of clarity. 00:01:17.719 --> 00:01:24.560 More is gained in that one moment, as far as knowledge and understanding is concerned, 00:01:24.659 --> 00:01:28.099 than perhaps any other moment leading up to that point in your life, 00:01:28.140 --> 00:01:31.840 and maybe even after in your spiritual walk. 00:01:32.400 --> 00:01:35.560 But as we progress in our walk with Christ, 00:01:35.680 --> 00:01:43.859 we soon realize that not every moment of our life is characterized by great light and understanding. 00:01:43.859 --> 00:01:49.359 seasons of hardship, especially, can disorient us, 00:01:49.459 --> 00:01:55.659 even to the point of leading us to doubt what at one time was abundantly clear. 00:01:56.560 --> 00:02:00.620 We usually look back at these seasons of our lives and at these difficulties, 00:02:00.620 --> 00:02:07.340 and we can see that they are God's way of bringing us into a much deeper fellowship with Him. 00:02:07.340 --> 00:02:15.879 But in the moment, we don't always sense that spiritual growth is indeed what is happening in that moment. 00:02:16.539 --> 00:02:20.900 Many times, all we can do is cry out to God and we simply ask, 00:02:21.539 --> 00:02:21.800 Why? 00:02:22.719 --> 00:02:24.920 Why is this happening to me? 00:02:25.140 --> 00:02:28.099 Why, Lord, are you allowing this to go on? 00:02:28.400 --> 00:02:30.680 I just don't understand. 00:02:31.640 --> 00:02:35.840 And throughout the course of our lives, we'll have many moments like that. 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:42.039 Our text finds Habakkuk in the midst of one of these confusing seasons. 00:02:42.860 --> 00:02:51.280 His initial question was to determine why God wasn't doing anything about the wickedness in Judah. 00:02:51.819 --> 00:02:57.120 And God finally answered him and informed the prophet that he had actually been working all along 00:02:57.120 --> 00:03:01.699 to raise up the Chaldean army that would serve as his instrument of judgment. 00:03:02.599 --> 00:03:05.080 Habakkuk understood the need for judgment. 00:03:05.080 --> 00:03:12.440 But he had great difficulty in understanding why God would judge the nation in this way. 00:03:13.660 --> 00:03:21.900 What follows this perplexity is a very humble yet honestly transparent prayer to the Lord. 00:03:23.140 --> 00:03:28.300 Habakkuk was desperate to understand why God was acting in a way 00:03:28.300 --> 00:03:33.920 that seemed to be contradictory to God's holy nature. 00:03:34.520 --> 00:03:40.800 And that, in essence, is the question that causes Habakkuk so much issue here in our text. 00:03:41.460 --> 00:03:46.000 Now, like Habakkuk, we will inevitably face periods of confusion 00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:50.760 that lead us to ask God why he's working in a particular way. 00:03:50.759 --> 00:03:58.399 And right here at the beginning, I want you to understand that there is nothing inherently sinful 00:03:58.399 --> 00:04:02.299 about asking God for answers. 00:04:02.300 --> 00:04:08.900 But there is a right way and a wrong way to approach God with our questions. 00:04:09.939 --> 00:04:15.920 Some people might withdraw and pout against God whenever they're going through difficulty. 00:04:16.259 --> 00:04:20.319 Others may come to a point of confusion in their Christian life, 00:04:20.360 --> 00:04:23.439 and they actually just abandon the faith altogether, 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:29.560 considering that whatever they had believed to be truth up to that point was actually false. 00:04:30.719 --> 00:04:34.339 Habakkuk's question was weighty, and it was sincere. 00:04:35.360 --> 00:04:40.839 But it's sandwiched in between faith and submission. 00:04:41.699 --> 00:04:45.800 And because of that, it serves as a classic example 00:04:45.800 --> 00:04:49.459 of how we are to approach God in prayer, 00:04:49.459 --> 00:04:55.680 how it is that we are to righteously bring our questions about life and hardship 00:04:55.680 --> 00:04:59.319 and misunderstandings to the Lord. 00:04:59.659 --> 00:05:00.620 Well, let's read our text. 00:05:00.779 --> 00:05:04.079 Habakkuk chapter 1, we pick up in verse number 12, 00:05:04.259 --> 00:05:07.219 and we'll read down through the first verse of chapter 2. 00:05:08.279 --> 00:05:09.060 Habakkuk says, 00:05:09.620 --> 00:05:14.459 Art thou not from everlasting, O Lord my God, mine Holy One? 00:05:15.199 --> 00:05:16.439 We shall not die. 00:05:16.439 --> 00:05:20.100 O Lord, thou hast ordained them for judgment, 00:05:20.660 --> 00:05:24.819 and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. 00:05:25.699 --> 00:05:28.759 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, 00:05:28.959 --> 00:05:30.879 and cannot look on iniquity. 00:05:31.720 --> 00:05:34.720 Why do you then look upon them that deal treacherously 00:05:34.720 --> 00:05:39.939 and hold your tongue when the wicked devour the man that is more righteous than he? 00:05:40.759 --> 00:05:43.000 You make men as the fish of the sea, 00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:46.379 and as the creeping things that have no ruler over them. 00:05:47.019 --> 00:05:50.300 They take up all of them with the angle or the hook. 00:05:50.420 --> 00:05:54.459 They catch them in their net, then gather them in their drag. 00:05:54.560 --> 00:05:56.860 Therefore, they rejoice and are glad. 00:05:57.920 --> 00:06:02.379 Therefore, they sacrifice unto their net and burn incense unto their drag, 00:06:02.699 --> 00:06:06.839 because by them their portion is fat and their meat plenteous. 00:06:07.279 --> 00:06:09.659 Shall they therefore empty their net 00:06:09.659 --> 00:06:12.879 and not spare continually to slay the nations? 00:06:12.879 --> 00:06:18.279 I will stand upon my watch and set me upon the tower, 00:06:18.620 --> 00:06:21.620 and will watch to see what he will say unto me, 00:06:21.860 --> 00:06:25.740 and what I shall answer when I am reproved. 00:06:25.740 --> 00:06:32.160 I want to look at three features that are contained in Habakkuk's prayer here, 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:36.960 and then I want to conclude our study today with just a few practical steps 00:06:36.960 --> 00:06:43.939 that Martin Lloyd-Jones actually presented in a series of sermons on this book as well. 00:06:44.019 --> 00:06:46.600 But let's first examine Habakkuk's prayer. 00:06:46.600 --> 00:06:48.360 The first thing that we notice here, 00:06:48.660 --> 00:06:52.920 as we understand the right way to approach God with our questions, 00:06:53.200 --> 00:06:56.740 is that Habakkuk approached God reverently. 00:06:57.260 --> 00:06:59.860 He approached God reverently. 00:07:00.600 --> 00:07:06.520 Now, there's no mistaking the spirit with which Habakkuk approached God as he prayed for answers. 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:14.040 Ignoring verse number 12 would make it very easy to misjudge the prophet's question. 00:07:14.040 --> 00:07:20.160 It might lead us to conclude that Habakkuk was arrogantly lashing out at God. 00:07:20.580 --> 00:07:28.280 But a careful examination of verse number 12 reveals the spirit of reverence that actually permeated his heart. 00:07:29.220 --> 00:07:33.560 Truly, if we're going to bring our questions to God in a way that's not sinful, 00:07:34.120 --> 00:07:38.740 we must give consideration to the way in which we approach God in prayer. 00:07:38.740 --> 00:07:45.500 And Habakkuk's approach included both worship and it included faith. 00:07:46.019 --> 00:07:48.480 Let's first look at his worship. 00:07:49.379 --> 00:07:52.340 That's what it was foremost, was worshipful. 00:07:53.040 --> 00:07:59.199 And as with anyone, the nature of worship reveals the depth of their theology. 00:07:59.199 --> 00:08:06.560 It was because of Habakkuk's faithful walk with God and study of the scriptures 00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:10.360 that he was able to worship God in this prayer. 00:08:10.759 --> 00:08:14.339 Now, I want you to consider with me all the attributes of God 00:08:14.339 --> 00:08:18.620 that Habakkuk brings into the equation as he approaches him in prayer. 00:08:18.959 --> 00:08:20.560 Look with me first at verse number 12. 00:08:20.659 --> 00:08:25.839 We see that he recognized God as the one true God. 00:08:26.039 --> 00:08:27.339 The one true God. 00:08:27.339 --> 00:08:29.179 Look at the very first phrase. 00:08:29.839 --> 00:08:33.120 He prays, art thou not from everlasting? 00:08:34.339 --> 00:08:41.079 Now, the Chaldeans would credit their own idols with the great success of their conquest of the world. 00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:49.480 But Habakkuk recognized that Yahweh was the only true and living God. 00:08:50.139 --> 00:08:55.299 As he faced the uncertainty of why God was working in this particular way, 00:08:55.299 --> 00:08:59.519 he reminded himself of one thing that was absolutely certain. 00:09:00.059 --> 00:09:05.099 And that is God is the eternal, everlasting God. 00:09:05.299 --> 00:09:09.139 He is the one true God. 00:09:09.719 --> 00:09:11.799 No matter how it may have seemed, 00:09:12.559 --> 00:09:14.179 God had not lost. 00:09:15.259 --> 00:09:17.719 The Chaldeans were not greater than him. 00:09:18.079 --> 00:09:19.620 Their idols were nothing. 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:22.639 They were nothing but carvings. 00:09:22.740 --> 00:09:25.840 There was no life in their idols. 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:31.840 And it's the same truth that we must acknowledge as we come to the Lord with our questions. 00:09:32.179 --> 00:09:37.240 That he is the one true and living God that is from everlasting. 00:09:37.480 --> 00:09:38.399 He is eternal. 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:43.100 He's not been defeated, nor has he abandoned his purpose. 00:09:43.680 --> 00:09:44.460 He's God. 00:09:44.460 --> 00:09:47.840 So no matter what the difficulty is that you're facing today, 00:09:47.980 --> 00:09:52.440 we can stop and we can acknowledge that we serve the one true and living God 00:09:52.440 --> 00:09:53.920 that cannot be defeated. 00:09:54.240 --> 00:09:55.720 He has not lost control. 00:09:56.139 --> 00:09:59.600 He is God from everlasting to everlasting. 00:09:59.900 --> 00:10:03.560 And he has not taken a break as it relates to our lives. 00:10:03.820 --> 00:10:05.740 So we see he recognizes the one true God. 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:09.519 Secondly, he sees that God is the self-existent God. 00:10:09.879 --> 00:10:10.800 Look at the second phrase. 00:10:11.139 --> 00:10:11.560 He says, 00:10:11.559 --> 00:10:13.299 Then he says, 00:10:13.799 --> 00:10:21.219 We understand Lord there to be the holy covenant name of God. 00:10:22.059 --> 00:10:26.119 We pronounce it as Yahweh or Jehovah. 00:10:26.859 --> 00:10:33.419 It's the great tetragrammaton that was given to Moses as Moses and God had this dialogue. 00:10:33.659 --> 00:10:34.919 And God tells Moses, 00:10:35.079 --> 00:10:39.219 I want you to go back to Egypt and I want you to tell Pharaoh to let my people go. 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:40.740 And Moses says, 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:44.040 Who am I supposed to tell the people has sent me? 00:10:44.440 --> 00:10:45.540 And God says, 00:10:45.680 --> 00:10:49.879 Tell them I am that I am has sent thee. 00:10:50.220 --> 00:10:52.240 And it's this name for God. 00:10:52.379 --> 00:10:56.700 And what it represents is the self-existent nature of God. 00:10:56.779 --> 00:10:58.519 He does not depend on anything else. 00:10:58.759 --> 00:11:00.680 He does not depend on anyone else. 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:02.340 He was not a created being. 00:11:02.600 --> 00:11:06.060 He is the eternal God, the self-existent one. 00:11:06.059 --> 00:11:09.139 He is the I am of the scripture. 00:11:09.500 --> 00:11:13.879 Over 5,000 times in the Old Testament alone, this name for God is used. 00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:18.019 And it's significant as Habakkuk prays this prayer. 00:11:18.419 --> 00:11:21.399 The third attribute that he brings up is God's holiness. 00:11:21.599 --> 00:11:24.359 And this one's important as it relates to Habakkuk's question. 00:11:24.699 --> 00:11:27.079 Look at the third phrase here. 00:11:27.459 --> 00:11:28.739 Art thou not from everlasting? 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:32.460 O Lord my God, my holy one. 00:11:33.460 --> 00:11:35.060 My holy one. 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:41.700 Habakkuk understood that God is absolutely righteous. 00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:43.980 He does no wrong. 00:11:44.680 --> 00:11:46.480 He's perfect in all that he does. 00:11:47.460 --> 00:11:50.080 John reminds us in one of his epistles, 00:11:50.820 --> 00:11:54.919 God is light and in him is no darkness at all. 00:11:54.919 --> 00:12:00.899 Abraham said, shall not the judge of all do what is right? 00:12:01.599 --> 00:12:05.039 Over and over and over the scriptures testify 00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:08.759 to the perfect righteousness of God and his holiness. 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:11.539 So as Habakkuk brought his question to the Lord, 00:12:11.699 --> 00:12:15.379 it was actually a recognition of God's perfection that perplexed him. 00:12:15.899 --> 00:12:19.279 How is it that you as the holy God could exalt 00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:23.579 or seem to exalt a nation that was so wicked? 00:12:23.580 --> 00:12:27.080 And whatever your confusion, whatever your perplexity is today, 00:12:27.200 --> 00:12:30.100 you can rest on the fact that God is holy, 00:12:30.280 --> 00:12:34.300 that he always does what is right. 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:38.620 Next, we see that God is sovereign. 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:41.340 He says, we shall not die. 00:12:41.480 --> 00:12:45.180 O Lord, thou hast ordained them. 00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:49.020 He recognized that God was in full control. 00:12:50.020 --> 00:12:52.640 He was the one that had raised up the Chaldeans. 00:12:52.639 --> 00:12:53.879 And it becomes a part of his worship. 00:12:54.139 --> 00:12:58.860 And then finally, he recognizes God as his firm foundation. 00:12:59.639 --> 00:13:01.379 Look again at the last phrase. 00:13:01.659 --> 00:13:04.199 He says, almighty God. 00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:07.460 Now this word actually means rock. 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:11.840 And it represents stability and security 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:14.779 that comes from God for his people. 00:13:15.279 --> 00:13:20.980 The psalmist used this title of rock for God all the time in the Psalms. 00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:25.700 And it indicates that Habakkuk knew whatever God was doing, 00:13:26.180 --> 00:13:29.500 he was doing it for the best for his people. 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:32.200 And we can rest on that. 00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:35.600 When we come and we bring our questions to the Lord, 00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:38.759 we can work through in worship first 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:42.340 the things that we have learned are true of God in the scriptures. 00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:45.500 We can rest on the fact that he is the eternal God, 00:13:45.560 --> 00:13:47.159 that he's the self-existent God, 00:13:47.159 --> 00:13:50.100 that he is holy and never does anything wrong. 00:13:50.199 --> 00:13:51.659 He is always right. 00:13:51.839 --> 00:13:53.980 We can rest in the fact that he's in control. 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:56.299 And then we can feel security in the fact 00:13:56.299 --> 00:13:57.959 that everything God does, 00:13:58.120 --> 00:14:01.240 he does for the good of his own people. 00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:07.159 This worship set the tone in the spirit of Habakkuk's question. 00:14:07.159 --> 00:14:13.679 Worship has a way of bringing peace to perplexity. 00:14:15.079 --> 00:14:17.259 By taking our eyes off the circumstance 00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:20.799 and focusing solely on the Lord, 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:24.719 great comfort is introduced to our hearts. 00:14:26.079 --> 00:14:28.539 Habakkuk's worship didn't dismiss his question, 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:32.399 but it certainly reveals the spirit with which he prayed. 00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:35.579 And when we come to God with our questions, 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:40.159 genuine worship must initiate the prayer. 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:43.360 But his reverent approach didn't just include his worship, 00:14:43.459 --> 00:14:47.360 it also included the evidence of Habakkuk's faith. 00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:52.639 Now, a great statement of his faith is mentioned in verse number 12. 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:53.539 He says this, 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:56.379 we shall not die. 00:14:57.279 --> 00:14:58.480 Well, what does that mean? 00:14:58.480 --> 00:15:03.620 God had just told Habakkuk that he is raising up this massive army 00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:07.659 that's gonna come in and he's gonna carry the nation away captive. 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:12.080 Great destruction was coming to Judah 00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:14.720 and the covenant nation of God. 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:17.580 But considering God's judgment 00:15:17.580 --> 00:15:22.019 without regarding his eternal covenant with his people 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:25.700 would have led Habakkuk to think that God was planning 00:15:25.700 --> 00:15:28.420 to annihilate the nation completely. 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:31.580 But the law and the prophets 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:34.279 that had at least prophesied up to that point, 00:15:34.440 --> 00:15:35.320 like Micah, 00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:39.720 had all indicated that God's promise 00:15:39.720 --> 00:15:43.980 was to bring a Messiah from the lineage of King David. 00:15:44.560 --> 00:15:47.480 And if God were to destroy the entire nation 00:15:47.480 --> 00:15:49.039 and completely annihilate them, 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:50.840 that would mean the end of the promise. 00:15:51.800 --> 00:15:53.920 But this wasn't total annihilation. 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:57.399 This was just severe correction. 00:15:57.399 --> 00:16:00.779 And while this judgment was unlike anything else 00:16:00.779 --> 00:16:02.199 that they had ever faced before, 00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:04.799 God was not abandoning his promise 00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:06.459 and Habakkuk knew that. 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:09.279 As Habakkuk studied the scriptures, 00:16:09.399 --> 00:16:11.720 as he reflected on the character of God, 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:14.279 he knew that God had never broken a promise 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:16.000 and he wasn't about to start then. 00:16:16.199 --> 00:16:18.939 And just because severe correction was coming 00:16:18.939 --> 00:16:20.079 from the hand of God 00:16:20.079 --> 00:16:23.000 did not mean that God was abandoning his promise 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:26.220 and annihilating the nation altogether. 00:16:26.799 --> 00:16:31.360 He trusted fully that God would not forsake his covenant. 00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:34.299 But that didn't mean that he was incapable 00:16:34.299 --> 00:16:36.779 of being confused by God's methods. 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:40.519 What it means is that because of his faith, 00:16:41.419 --> 00:16:45.600 Habakkuk's confusion would be the servant of his faith 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:48.879 rather than his faith being contingent 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:50.139 on his full understanding. 00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:53.620 He didn't need a full understanding to trust God. 00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:56.240 And had he not trusted God, 00:16:56.560 --> 00:16:59.120 his faith would have become a servant to his confusion 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:00.860 rather than his confusion, 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:02.440 the servant of his faith. 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:04.700 And here Robertson is helpful. 00:17:04.860 --> 00:17:07.759 He simply states that it's not a weak faith, 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:12.240 but a perplexed faith that torments Habakkuk. 00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:16.960 Now significant to his faith 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:21.119 is its connection to the regular study of the Bible. 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:22.640 And I want you to think about that. 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:24.799 Everything that we've just looked at in verse 12, 00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:30.059 Habakkuk was able to know and trust God's promise 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:33.940 because he had immersed himself in the scriptures. 00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:38.700 The peace that he found in spite of his confusion 00:17:38.700 --> 00:17:44.400 came directly from the testimony of God's word. 00:17:45.140 --> 00:17:48.059 Had he not committed himself to God's word 00:17:48.059 --> 00:17:50.660 in a time where it was not as readily available 00:17:50.660 --> 00:17:51.740 as it is to us, 00:17:52.360 --> 00:17:53.960 he had committed himself to it, 00:17:54.100 --> 00:17:55.299 he had believed it, 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:56.779 he had trusted it, 00:17:56.880 --> 00:18:00.660 and because he had immersed himself in the scriptures, 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:02.240 his faith was strengthened. 00:18:02.240 --> 00:18:04.920 And though he had questions about God's method, 00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:07.940 he did not have a question about God's character 00:18:07.940 --> 00:18:09.819 and God's fulfillment of his promise. 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:15.359 Now if your perplexity as to God's ways has overcome you, 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:18.460 it might be that you've either neglected 00:18:18.460 --> 00:18:20.599 to regularly study the Bible, 00:18:21.140 --> 00:18:23.519 or you've chosen simply not to believe 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.700 the things that you've studied. 00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:29.339 Our faith will overcome our questions 00:18:29.339 --> 00:18:33.419 only when it's founded on the inerrant, 00:18:34.199 --> 00:18:38.359 eternal, unchanging word of God. 00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:39.879 Well secondly, quickly, 00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:42.579 we see not only did he approach God reverently, 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:44.399 but he asked God, 00:18:44.439 --> 00:18:46.059 he brought his question to God 00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:48.359 humbly, with humility. 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:52.220 Now I want you to look with me at verse number 13. 00:18:53.419 --> 00:18:54.199 Habakkuk says, 00:18:54.200 --> 00:19:16.220 This is the summary of Habakkuk's question. 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:20.539 Now his first question in verses two through four 00:19:20.539 --> 00:19:23.100 essentially was, 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:26.420 Why aren't you doing anything about this wickedness? 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:28.980 But the essence of this second 00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:30.799 and more earnest question 00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:32.120 is, 00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:34.579 Why are you doing it like this? 00:19:36.120 --> 00:19:38.220 Habakkuk had no issue with the fact 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:40.259 that God was judging the sin of the nation. 00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:43.519 That's actually what he'd been praying for all along. 00:19:43.519 --> 00:19:47.019 And though I think he was primarily looking 00:19:47.019 --> 00:19:48.720 for God to send a revival, 00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:53.259 he still understood the necessity of judging sin. 00:19:54.379 --> 00:19:56.200 What he couldn't understand 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:58.819 was how the holy God 00:19:58.819 --> 00:20:02.779 would seemingly exalt a wicked nation 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:05.759 in the process of judging his own people. 00:20:06.579 --> 00:20:07.319 In other words, 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:09.900 God's actions to Habakkuk 00:20:09.900 --> 00:20:13.440 didn't seem to be consistent with his character. 00:20:14.119 --> 00:20:17.940 And he makes his case in verses 14 through 17. 00:20:18.379 --> 00:20:19.879 Let's just make a few notes of this, 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:22.579 of what it was that was confusing Habakkuk. 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:23.519 He makes this comparison 00:20:24.059 --> 00:20:25.619 between God's holy character 00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:27.319 at the beginning of verse 13 00:20:27.319 --> 00:20:29.440 and then with the actions 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:31.839 of the army that God was actually using. 00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:32.960 Look at verse 14. 00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:34.819 We see dehumanization. 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:36.400 He says, 00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:38.599 You make men as the fish of the sea, 00:20:39.019 --> 00:20:40.440 as the creeping things 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:43.200 that have no ruler over them. 00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:45.500 God had created man 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:47.700 and has created man in his own image. 00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:50.059 And therefore, he has demanded 00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:54.299 that we put a high value on human life, 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:56.900 a different value on human life 00:20:56.900 --> 00:20:59.940 than any other type of life in his creation. 00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:01.480 That was God's doing 00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:03.980 because of making man in his own image. 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:06.860 But in allowing the Chaldeans 00:21:06.860 --> 00:21:09.099 to devour the nations in this way, 00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:12.700 it was like God had reduced mankind 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:14.799 to the level of the fish of the sea. 00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:19.200 It was like God had devalued human life 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:22.259 and he was allowing them to be caught 00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:24.599 and devoured without conscience. 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:26.460 And Habakkuk couldn't understand 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:29.900 how God could you put such a high value on life, 00:21:29.900 --> 00:21:32.519 such a high value on your own holiness, 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:35.360 and then you would allow this nation to do this. 00:21:35.420 --> 00:21:37.960 You would allow us to be like the fish of the sea. 00:21:38.700 --> 00:21:41.160 In verse 15, we see cruelty. 00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:43.140 He says, 00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:45.640 They take up all of them with the hook. 00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:47.480 They catch them in their net 00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:49.620 and gather them in their drag. 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:52.780 Therefore, they rejoice and are glad. 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:56.180 Now, this army was noted for its brutality. 00:21:56.180 --> 00:21:59.460 The description of the Chaldean invasion 00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:01.880 in its verse is it's more than figurative. 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:05.460 It's true that their conquest can be pictured 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:07.580 as a successful fisherman 00:22:07.580 --> 00:22:09.700 grabbing his fish in his net 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:13.440 and reeling it in and great rejoicing. 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:15.860 But this army was literally known 00:22:15.860 --> 00:22:17.000 as we study history 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:18.660 to take hooks 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:21.480 and put them through the lips of their captives 00:22:21.480 --> 00:22:23.519 and string them along in a line 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:25.960 as they marched them across the world 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:27.819 back to Babylon. 00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:30.100 This was a cruel people, 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:32.920 a brutal army. 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:35.980 And Habakkuk couldn't understand 00:22:35.980 --> 00:22:37.940 how God would allow that 00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:39.319 after having condemned 00:22:39.319 --> 00:22:41.700 that type of behavior so often. 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:45.400 Well, in verse 16, we see idolatry. 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:48.799 Therefore, they sacrifice unto their net 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:51.299 and they burn incense in their drag. 00:22:51.640 --> 00:22:53.579 Because of them, their portion is fat 00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:55.819 and their meat is plenteous. 00:22:56.399 --> 00:22:59.460 Rather than give God the rightful credit 00:22:59.460 --> 00:23:00.559 for their success, 00:23:00.879 --> 00:23:03.599 they worship themselves in their own strength. 00:23:03.859 --> 00:23:07.699 How could God exalt such a pagan people? 00:23:08.639 --> 00:23:09.819 And then in verse 17, 00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:12.279 we see that they were merciless 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:13.759 and relentless. 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:17.480 Shall they therefore empty their net 00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:19.339 and not spare continually 00:23:19.339 --> 00:23:21.240 to slay the nations? 00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:25.680 God is a God that delights in mercy 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:28.140 as Habakkuk understood it. 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:30.519 How could he then use a nation 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:32.539 that was so merciless 00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:34.839 and relentless in what they were doing? 00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:38.359 So we see Habakkuk's concern 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:40.419 is not lightweight at all. 00:23:41.379 --> 00:23:44.559 It is a legitimate, heavy question, 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:46.939 the likes of which all of us 00:23:46.939 --> 00:23:48.059 are bound to face 00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:50.159 at some point in our Christian walk. 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:52.500 James Boyce, again, 00:23:52.619 --> 00:23:53.919 compared it to God allowing 00:23:53.919 --> 00:23:56.299 the wicked atheistic systems 00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:58.500 to prevail in more modern times. 00:23:59.079 --> 00:24:01.339 He said it would be like crying out to God 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:03.519 about the state of the visible church 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:05.500 in America and hearing 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:07.740 that God is going to destroy it 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:09.799 by a communist invasion. 00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:13.559 The church may be in a deplorable state, 00:24:13.859 --> 00:24:14.579 we would argue, 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:17.980 but surely it is not as bad as all that, 00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:19.200 even if it were. 00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:21.319 It would not seem right 00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:23.039 that it should be destroyed 00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:25.660 by an utterly godless nation. 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:29.019 Now, this prayer of Habakkuk 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:30.759 and this prayer that you and I 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.920 have often prayed before 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:34.100 is repeated in the scriptures. 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:35.560 In fact, there's a specific place 00:24:35.560 --> 00:24:36.500 that I'd like for you to turn 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.100 just quickly. 00:24:37.340 --> 00:24:38.539 We're not going to examine the whole thing, 00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:40.240 but if you'll go to Psalm 73, 00:24:40.539 --> 00:24:41.860 just flip there in your Bibles 00:24:41.860 --> 00:24:43.500 to Psalm 73. 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:47.320 Asaph is the writer of the Psalm 00:24:47.320 --> 00:24:49.880 and he's dealing with the same dilemma 00:24:49.880 --> 00:24:52.220 as Habakkuk in a different time. 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:53.980 Look at verse number three. 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.660 Asaph says, 00:24:55.660 --> 00:24:58.480 I was envious at the foolish 00:24:58.480 --> 00:25:02.279 when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:04.300 In Asaph's day, 00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:05.000 he would look out 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:06.920 and he saw the wicked people of the nation 00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:09.279 actually being the ones with great wealth. 00:25:09.420 --> 00:25:11.200 They were the ones that prospered 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:12.160 in everything that they did 00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:13.420 and he couldn't understand. 00:25:13.880 --> 00:25:14.740 Here I am, God. 00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:16.160 I've given my life to you. 00:25:16.320 --> 00:25:17.500 I'm living my life 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:19.540 to do everything that I can to serve you, 00:25:19.660 --> 00:25:21.920 yet I am plagued all day long 00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:22.680 and I look out 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:24.279 and these people that are wicked 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.620 and they deny you 00:25:25.620 --> 00:25:26.860 and they mock at you, 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:27.759 they are the ones 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:29.600 that seem to be prosperous. 00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:31.000 And he says, 00:25:31.060 --> 00:25:32.500 I was envious at this. 00:25:33.080 --> 00:25:34.480 And then he describes them. 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:35.460 He says, 00:25:35.580 --> 00:25:37.060 for there are no bands in their death 00:25:37.060 --> 00:25:38.680 and their strength is firm. 00:25:39.800 --> 00:25:41.360 Bands is just a name for pain. 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:42.660 They had an easy death. 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:44.680 They didn't seem to struggle like others. 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:46.820 They are not in trouble as other men, 00:25:47.400 --> 00:25:49.080 neither are they plagued like other men. 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:51.539 Therefore, pride compasseth them about 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:52.099 as a chain. 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:54.759 Violence covereth them as a garment. 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:57.339 Their eyes stand out with fatness. 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:59.500 They have more than heart could wish. 00:26:00.159 --> 00:26:02.279 They are corrupt and speak wickedly 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:03.279 concerning oppression. 00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.720 They speak loftily. 00:26:05.399 --> 00:26:07.579 They set their mouth against the heavens 00:26:07.579 --> 00:26:09.839 and their tongue walketh through the earth. 00:26:10.659 --> 00:26:12.319 Therefore, his people return hither 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:14.759 and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.319 and they say, 00:26:15.659 --> 00:26:16.740 how does God know? 00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:19.099 And is there knowledge in the most high? 00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:21.619 Behold, these are the ungodly 00:26:21.619 --> 00:26:23.019 who prosper in the world. 00:26:23.439 --> 00:26:26.019 They increase in riches. 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:29.419 And Asaph says in verse number two, 00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:31.839 I was about ready to give up. 00:26:32.659 --> 00:26:33.819 I was ready to give up 00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:36.559 because what I saw didn't seem fair 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:39.299 and it led him to begin to question God 00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:41.559 and to doubt God's faithfulness 00:26:41.559 --> 00:26:42.879 and God's love 00:26:42.879 --> 00:26:45.099 and God's promise for his people. 00:26:45.099 --> 00:26:47.159 But instead of acting rashly, 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:50.159 instead of just quitting on God in that moment, 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:53.939 we find out that Asaph instead does what Habakkuk does 00:26:53.939 --> 00:26:57.919 and he reminds himself of the character of God 00:26:57.919 --> 00:27:00.980 and he goes into the sanctuary of God for worship. 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:02.980 And it's in that moment of worship 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:04.579 and that moment of faith 00:27:04.579 --> 00:27:07.480 that God brings a resolution to Asaph's problem. 00:27:07.719 --> 00:27:09.500 Look with me down at verse 17. 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:11.039 He says, 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:14.480 Until I went into the sanctuary of God, 00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:17.500 then understood I their end. 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:18.639 And he says, 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:21.899 Surely thou did set them in slippery places. 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:24.579 Thou casteth them down into destruction. 00:27:24.940 --> 00:27:26.779 How are they brought into desolation? 00:27:26.879 --> 00:27:27.799 As in a moment, 00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:30.359 they are utterly consumed with terror. 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:32.279 As a dream when one awaketh, 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:33.359 so, O Lord, 00:27:33.619 --> 00:27:34.700 when thou awakest, 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:37.980 thou shalt despise their image. 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:40.759 Instead of getting angry towards God, 00:27:40.860 --> 00:27:43.299 instead of being accusatory towards God, 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:45.960 Asaph went into the sanctuary of God 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:47.200 and he worshiped 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:48.880 and he exemplified his faith 00:27:48.880 --> 00:27:51.279 and there God answered him 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:52.960 and brought resolution to his question. 00:27:53.140 --> 00:27:54.660 And it's the same resolution 00:27:54.660 --> 00:27:57.059 that God will bring to Habakkuk 00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:58.819 in his question. 00:27:59.360 --> 00:28:00.960 But we'll have to wait till next week 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:02.960 to examine exactly what that is. 00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:04.180 For now, 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:07.519 we focus our attention on the humility 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:10.339 with which Habakkuk prayed. 00:28:11.139 --> 00:28:12.940 Now, the point of our study today 00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:15.639 is to follow Habakkuk's example 00:28:15.639 --> 00:28:19.019 in the right way to ask God about these matters. 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:21.420 And it's necessary for us 00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:23.299 to rightly interpret his tone. 00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:26.319 I suppose that every aspect 00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:29.099 of Habakkuk's prayer points to his humility. 00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:32.180 But I think it's especially true here 00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:33.660 in the question itself. 00:28:33.660 --> 00:28:36.080 If understanding first 00:28:36.080 --> 00:28:39.180 the reverence with which he approached God in prayer, 00:28:39.560 --> 00:28:41.240 we come to see more clearly 00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:42.940 the spirit of the question. 00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:44.960 Now, listen. 00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:49.720 A prideful heart might say to God, 00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:51.519 how dare you? 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:54.720 How dare you use a wicked nation 00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:55.620 to judge your people? 00:28:56.580 --> 00:28:58.140 How dare you, God, 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.240 prosper the wicked 00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:00.779 and put down the righteous? 00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:02.799 How dare you, God, 00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:05.099 cause me to lose my job? 00:29:05.379 --> 00:29:06.559 How dare you, God, 00:29:06.639 --> 00:29:07.879 take away this loved one? 00:29:08.119 --> 00:29:09.279 How dare you, God, 00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:10.899 allow this to happen to me 00:29:10.899 --> 00:29:12.480 or that to happen to me? 00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:13.819 A prideful heart 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:16.440 exalts itself against God in that way. 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:19.240 But Habakkuk's humble heart 00:29:19.240 --> 00:29:20.599 said in essence, 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:22.220 not how dare you, 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:23.019 it says, 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:25.039 please help me understand. 00:29:26.059 --> 00:29:27.279 Please help me understand. 00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:31.099 There is honesty and transparency 00:29:31.099 --> 00:29:33.819 and passion in Habakkuk's words. 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:36.299 But those things are met 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:38.059 with a genuine desire 00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:40.779 to understand God's ways, 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:43.700 not condemn God's ways. 00:29:44.399 --> 00:29:47.799 And this humility is absolutely necessary 00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:50.099 when we bring our questions to God. 00:29:50.859 --> 00:29:53.220 We are not to be lifted up with pride 00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:53.839 and say, 00:29:54.119 --> 00:29:55.539 how dare you do this 00:29:55.539 --> 00:29:57.639 and condemn the work of God. 00:29:57.819 --> 00:29:58.259 Rather, 00:29:58.359 --> 00:30:00.139 we are to humbly submit 00:30:00.139 --> 00:30:01.339 to what God is doing 00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:03.480 and genuinely seek understanding 00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:05.299 as to why he is doing it 00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.279 the way that he is. 00:30:07.139 --> 00:30:08.819 There's a lot of talk right now 00:30:08.819 --> 00:30:09.639 about rights. 00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:13.000 And one right that you do not have 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:17.799 is a right to be angry with God. 00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:19.440 Why? 00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:22.420 Because he's the everlasting God. 00:30:23.320 --> 00:30:25.100 He's the self-existent God. 00:30:25.840 --> 00:30:28.039 He's the holy God that does no wrong. 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:31.000 He's the sovereign God. 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:32.340 He is our security, 00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:33.360 our rock, 00:30:33.500 --> 00:30:34.460 and our stability. 00:30:34.860 --> 00:30:35.620 We have no right 00:30:35.620 --> 00:30:36.940 to question him in that way. 00:30:37.880 --> 00:30:38.720 So how are we to pray 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:39.480 about these questions? 00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:41.360 We approach God reverently. 00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:43.180 We ask God humbly. 00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:44.420 Thirdly, 00:30:44.820 --> 00:30:46.779 we anticipate God's answer 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:47.440 submissively. 00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:48.000 Submissively. 00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:51.000 We patiently wait for God's answer 00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:53.180 and we submit to that answer. 00:30:53.820 --> 00:30:55.380 Look at verse 1 of chapter 2. 00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:57.880 Habakkuk says, 00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:59.539 I will stand upon my watch 00:30:59.539 --> 00:31:02.600 and set me upon the tower. 00:31:03.320 --> 00:31:04.779 And you can immediately hear 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:07.120 the kid in Sunday school saying, 00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:08.920 this is how we know 00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:10.980 that Habakkuk was the smallest man 00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:11.480 in the Bible 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.860 because he was able 00:31:12.860 --> 00:31:14.160 to stand upon his watch. 00:31:14.160 --> 00:31:15.980 And I'm just going to trust 00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:16.920 right now in faith 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:18.180 that you laughed 00:31:18.180 --> 00:31:18.960 a little bit at that 00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:20.500 as you watch this video at home. 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:23.340 What's the significance of this? 00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:26.120 After Habakkuk had finished 00:31:26.120 --> 00:31:26.860 with this question, 00:31:27.600 --> 00:31:29.100 he patiently waited 00:31:29.100 --> 00:31:30.500 for the Lord's reply. 00:31:31.660 --> 00:31:32.860 There's a picture here 00:31:32.860 --> 00:31:33.759 of anticipation. 00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:36.240 He eagerly awaited 00:31:36.240 --> 00:31:38.040 for the Lord to answer him. 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:39.960 And there's a simple lesson in this. 00:31:41.099 --> 00:31:42.680 The waiting rooms of life 00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:45.359 are often the most difficult, 00:31:46.420 --> 00:31:48.559 but they're also the moments 00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:49.500 that God uses 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:51.019 to strengthen us 00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:53.000 in ways that blessing 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:55.460 and clarity often cannot. 00:31:55.460 --> 00:31:58.680 And then he says, 00:31:59.600 --> 00:32:00.900 I will watch to see 00:32:00.900 --> 00:32:03.059 what he will say unto me 00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:05.940 and what I shall answer him 00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:06.840 when I am reproved. 00:32:06.940 --> 00:32:08.220 Now look at that last phrase again. 00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:09.640 This is a little strange, right? 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:10.920 He says, 00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:11.640 I will wait to see 00:32:11.640 --> 00:32:12.319 how God will answer 00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:14.100 and what I shall answer him 00:32:14.100 --> 00:32:15.480 when I am reproved. 00:32:16.600 --> 00:32:17.000 Now, 00:32:17.720 --> 00:32:19.840 taking this entire series of verses 00:32:19.840 --> 00:32:21.440 into the equation of our thought 00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:23.680 helps us to understand 00:32:23.680 --> 00:32:25.240 what he means by this statement. 00:32:26.340 --> 00:32:28.340 There was no way for Habakkuk 00:32:28.340 --> 00:32:30.620 to prepare an argument 00:32:30.620 --> 00:32:31.799 against an answer 00:32:31.799 --> 00:32:33.180 that hadn't actually 00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:35.100 been delivered to him. 00:32:35.840 --> 00:32:37.559 And there's even a sense here 00:32:37.559 --> 00:32:39.480 to where he recognized 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:41.920 the audacity of his question 00:32:41.920 --> 00:32:46.700 and expected even to be rebuked 00:32:46.700 --> 00:32:49.240 and reproved in a way by God. 00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:52.400 So his preparation in this verse 00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:54.539 indicates for us 00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:55.480 and his evidence 00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:58.099 that he was actually submitting 00:32:58.099 --> 00:32:59.960 to God's answer. 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:02.700 Whatever that answer was going to be, 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:04.740 he had prepared himself 00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:06.359 to patiently wait for it 00:33:06.359 --> 00:33:07.940 and then he was going to submit 00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:08.839 to God, 00:33:09.460 --> 00:33:11.559 understanding that God is right 00:33:11.559 --> 00:33:13.099 and he would come probably 00:33:13.099 --> 00:33:15.940 with a level of reproof. 00:33:16.819 --> 00:33:18.059 There was no way for him 00:33:18.059 --> 00:33:19.099 to know what God was answering 00:33:19.099 --> 00:33:20.000 and even to build 00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:21.680 a replying argument. 00:33:21.880 --> 00:33:23.660 So it's not that Habakkuk 00:33:23.660 --> 00:33:25.279 was here determining 00:33:25.279 --> 00:33:26.420 that he was going to dispute 00:33:26.420 --> 00:33:27.700 with God indefinitely. 00:33:28.039 --> 00:33:29.319 That's not what he was doing. 00:33:29.880 --> 00:33:31.160 He knew too much 00:33:31.160 --> 00:33:32.200 of God's faithfulness 00:33:32.200 --> 00:33:32.680 and holiness 00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:34.500 to dispute his character. 00:33:35.339 --> 00:33:36.859 He had expressed his confusion 00:33:36.859 --> 00:33:39.380 and he would now wait patiently 00:33:39.380 --> 00:33:40.740 and submissively 00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:42.380 for God's answer. 00:33:42.380 --> 00:33:45.040 And we find the ultimate example 00:33:45.040 --> 00:33:47.080 of this in Jesus Christ. 00:33:48.180 --> 00:33:50.500 As he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane 00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:51.840 on the night of his arrest, 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:52.880 what was it that he prayed? 00:33:53.500 --> 00:33:55.040 He repeated over and over, 00:33:55.800 --> 00:33:56.680 not my will, 00:33:57.360 --> 00:33:59.760 but thy will be done. 00:34:01.060 --> 00:34:02.520 It's this submission 00:34:02.520 --> 00:34:04.120 that is the reason 00:34:04.120 --> 00:34:06.480 that we pray in Jesus' name, 00:34:06.580 --> 00:34:08.820 that we tack those words on 00:34:08.820 --> 00:34:10.640 at the end of many of our prayers. 00:34:11.420 --> 00:34:12.719 It's not that there's a magic 00:34:12.719 --> 00:34:13.619 in those words 00:34:13.619 --> 00:34:15.239 and Jesus didn't mean 00:34:15.239 --> 00:34:17.139 to specifically command 00:34:17.139 --> 00:34:18.299 that we add those words 00:34:18.299 --> 00:34:18.980 to every prayer. 00:34:19.079 --> 00:34:19.900 That wasn't the purpose 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:20.519 of him saying 00:34:20.519 --> 00:34:21.400 that we are to pray 00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:23.059 in his name. 00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:24.940 The purpose in saying that 00:34:24.940 --> 00:34:25.779 at the end of our prayer 00:34:25.779 --> 00:34:26.940 is it's a reminder 00:34:26.940 --> 00:34:27.779 and it's a recognition 00:34:27.779 --> 00:34:29.159 that everything we pray, 00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:30.219 we are praying 00:34:30.219 --> 00:34:31.119 and submitting 00:34:31.119 --> 00:34:32.599 to the will of God, 00:34:32.719 --> 00:34:34.639 to the will of our Savior, 00:34:35.179 --> 00:34:36.359 Jesus Christ. 00:34:37.619 --> 00:34:39.420 In addition to his faith 00:34:39.420 --> 00:34:40.119 and humility, 00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:42.320 what makes Habakkuk's spirit 00:34:42.320 --> 00:34:43.940 and prayer so significant 00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:45.940 is his submission 00:34:45.940 --> 00:34:47.780 to whatever answer 00:34:47.780 --> 00:34:50.180 God would end up providing. 00:34:51.579 --> 00:34:53.360 Now, I want to conclude this way. 00:34:55.300 --> 00:34:57.200 Martin Lloyd-Jones in 1953, 00:34:57.380 --> 00:34:57.940 I've mentioned this 00:34:57.940 --> 00:34:59.579 in our studies already, 00:35:00.220 --> 00:35:01.340 had preached through 00:35:01.340 --> 00:35:02.480 the book of Habakkuk 00:35:02.480 --> 00:35:04.039 and as he approached 00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:05.200 this section of verses, 00:35:05.200 --> 00:35:07.000 he gave four practical steps 00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:08.340 for how we are 00:35:08.340 --> 00:35:09.059 to deal with 00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:10.059 the perplexities of life 00:35:10.059 --> 00:35:10.760 and I just want to 00:35:10.760 --> 00:35:11.480 quickly give them to you. 00:35:11.539 --> 00:35:11.940 I think they'll be 00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:12.760 an encouragement to you. 00:35:13.039 --> 00:35:14.019 First, he says, 00:35:14.360 --> 00:35:15.639 stop and think. 00:35:16.420 --> 00:35:17.440 Stop and think. 00:35:18.360 --> 00:35:19.699 Now, my mom always told me 00:35:19.699 --> 00:35:20.260 growing up 00:35:20.260 --> 00:35:21.639 that my mouth was in drive 00:35:21.639 --> 00:35:23.019 but my brain was in neutral 00:35:23.019 --> 00:35:25.079 and what she meant by that 00:35:25.079 --> 00:35:26.539 is that I have a tendency 00:35:26.539 --> 00:35:28.760 to speak without first thinking 00:35:28.760 --> 00:35:30.039 and she's right. 00:35:31.039 --> 00:35:31.760 But unfortunately, 00:35:32.340 --> 00:35:33.679 we're prone to deal 00:35:33.679 --> 00:35:34.819 with spiritual issues 00:35:34.819 --> 00:35:35.679 in the same way. 00:35:36.719 --> 00:35:38.899 We often act on emotion 00:35:38.899 --> 00:35:41.099 rather than thinking 00:35:41.099 --> 00:35:42.119 through the truth 00:35:42.119 --> 00:35:43.339 of a given circumstance. 00:35:44.719 --> 00:35:46.480 And Christians would do well 00:35:46.480 --> 00:35:48.940 to recover the discipline 00:35:48.940 --> 00:35:50.960 of thinking deeply 00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:52.980 about God and his word 00:35:52.980 --> 00:35:56.399 before acting in an emotional way. 00:35:57.319 --> 00:35:58.219 Habakkuk's spirit 00:35:58.219 --> 00:36:00.219 would have been vastly different 00:36:00.219 --> 00:36:02.460 had he not taken the time 00:36:02.460 --> 00:36:03.800 to stop and think things 00:36:03.800 --> 00:36:04.840 through first. 00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:06.159 So we stop to think. 00:36:06.480 --> 00:36:06.820 Secondly, 00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:09.780 restate basic principles. 00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:12.079 Restate basic principles. 00:36:13.159 --> 00:36:14.199 Lloyd-Jones says this, 00:36:14.199 --> 00:36:16.059 we must first remind ourselves 00:36:16.059 --> 00:36:16.860 of those things 00:36:16.860 --> 00:36:18.740 of which we are abundantly certain. 00:36:19.440 --> 00:36:21.179 Things which are entirely 00:36:21.179 --> 00:36:22.280 beyond doubt. 00:36:23.240 --> 00:36:24.019 Write them down 00:36:24.019 --> 00:36:24.940 and say to yourself, 00:36:25.300 --> 00:36:26.019 in this terrible 00:36:26.019 --> 00:36:27.619 and perplexing situation 00:36:27.619 --> 00:36:28.860 in which I find myself, 00:36:29.139 --> 00:36:30.920 here at least is solid ground. 00:36:30.920 --> 00:36:33.220 The moment you return 00:36:33.220 --> 00:36:34.700 to basic principles, 00:36:34.920 --> 00:36:36.300 you immediately begin 00:36:36.300 --> 00:36:38.000 to lose your sense of panic. 00:36:38.920 --> 00:36:39.980 It is a great thing 00:36:39.980 --> 00:36:41.400 to reassure your soul 00:36:41.400 --> 00:36:42.519 with those things 00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:44.380 that are beyond dispute. 00:36:45.240 --> 00:36:46.480 It's like walking 00:36:46.480 --> 00:36:48.539 on an icy sidewalk. 00:36:49.260 --> 00:36:51.240 You take your steps carefully 00:36:51.240 --> 00:36:53.500 and you keep your eyes 00:36:53.500 --> 00:36:54.639 focused on the ground 00:36:54.639 --> 00:36:55.980 and you put your steps 00:36:55.980 --> 00:36:57.180 on firm ground 00:36:57.180 --> 00:36:59.280 rather than the unstable ground. 00:36:59.280 --> 00:37:01.440 And James Boyce says, 00:37:01.540 --> 00:37:02.180 your problem 00:37:02.180 --> 00:37:04.100 is a slippery spot. 00:37:04.880 --> 00:37:05.640 But surely, 00:37:06.019 --> 00:37:07.660 not all your experience 00:37:07.660 --> 00:37:09.040 with God is like that. 00:37:09.840 --> 00:37:10.980 Get onto the parts 00:37:10.980 --> 00:37:12.420 that are firm. 00:37:13.660 --> 00:37:15.120 Habakkuk's basic principles 00:37:15.120 --> 00:37:16.820 are seen in his worship 00:37:16.820 --> 00:37:18.380 and faith in verse 12. 00:37:19.120 --> 00:37:21.340 And we should always interpret 00:37:21.340 --> 00:37:22.300 our practical 00:37:22.300 --> 00:37:23.280 and theological questions 00:37:23.820 --> 00:37:26.080 with the fundamental truths 00:37:26.080 --> 00:37:27.280 that have been clearly revealed 00:37:27.280 --> 00:37:29.000 revealed in the Bible. 00:37:30.060 --> 00:37:32.060 If your perplexity today 00:37:32.060 --> 00:37:33.740 has to do 00:37:33.740 --> 00:37:35.440 with the loss of a job, 00:37:36.440 --> 00:37:37.920 perhaps what you need 00:37:37.920 --> 00:37:38.900 to be reminded of 00:37:38.900 --> 00:37:39.960 is the certainty 00:37:39.960 --> 00:37:42.540 of God's providential care. 00:37:43.380 --> 00:37:44.500 And be reminded 00:37:44.500 --> 00:37:45.140 of the scriptures 00:37:45.140 --> 00:37:46.300 when Jesus said 00:37:46.300 --> 00:37:47.500 that God sees 00:37:47.500 --> 00:37:48.800 every sparrow that falls. 00:37:49.060 --> 00:37:49.980 Are you not more 00:37:49.980 --> 00:37:51.100 important than they? 00:37:51.099 --> 00:37:53.980 And if God clothes 00:37:53.980 --> 00:37:55.299 the lilies of the field 00:37:55.299 --> 00:37:56.480 even more beautifully 00:37:56.480 --> 00:37:57.900 than he did Solomon 00:37:57.900 --> 00:37:59.599 in his most royal garments, 00:37:59.719 --> 00:38:00.839 does God not care 00:38:00.839 --> 00:38:02.139 to clothe you? 00:38:02.819 --> 00:38:03.860 God cares for us. 00:38:04.619 --> 00:38:06.039 Find firm ground in that 00:38:06.039 --> 00:38:07.099 and trust him. 00:38:08.279 --> 00:38:09.860 If your question today 00:38:09.860 --> 00:38:11.059 has to do with 00:38:11.059 --> 00:38:12.500 the wickedness 00:38:12.500 --> 00:38:13.659 that you see around you, 00:38:14.219 --> 00:38:15.239 the firm ground 00:38:15.239 --> 00:38:16.299 on which you need to stand 00:38:16.299 --> 00:38:17.039 is the reality 00:38:17.039 --> 00:38:17.779 of God's holiness. 00:38:17.780 --> 00:38:20.280 that in his time 00:38:20.280 --> 00:38:21.019 and in his way 00:38:21.019 --> 00:38:22.000 he will judge 00:38:22.000 --> 00:38:23.100 all sin 00:38:23.100 --> 00:38:25.420 and you can trust him. 00:38:26.180 --> 00:38:27.140 So stop and think. 00:38:28.260 --> 00:38:29.420 Remember and restate 00:38:29.420 --> 00:38:30.320 basic principles 00:38:30.320 --> 00:38:31.160 of which you're certain. 00:38:31.700 --> 00:38:32.120 Thirdly, 00:38:33.160 --> 00:38:34.220 apply the principles 00:38:34.220 --> 00:38:35.019 to the problem. 00:38:36.320 --> 00:38:37.200 Once you've written down 00:38:37.200 --> 00:38:37.700 the things 00:38:37.700 --> 00:38:38.400 which you're certain, 00:38:38.960 --> 00:38:39.480 apply them 00:38:39.480 --> 00:38:40.519 to your current dilemma. 00:38:41.560 --> 00:38:42.960 It was the basic principles 00:38:42.960 --> 00:38:43.740 of verse 12 00:38:43.740 --> 00:38:45.000 that guided Habakkuk's 00:38:45.000 --> 00:38:45.600 understanding 00:38:45.600 --> 00:38:46.960 and his response. 00:38:46.960 --> 00:38:48.220 And then the fourth step 00:38:48.220 --> 00:38:48.740 is this. 00:38:49.740 --> 00:38:51.119 If you're still in doubt, 00:38:52.099 --> 00:38:53.039 commit the problem 00:38:53.039 --> 00:38:54.880 to God in faith. 00:38:55.639 --> 00:38:56.679 Commit the problem 00:38:56.679 --> 00:38:57.940 to God in faith. 00:38:58.780 --> 00:39:00.320 If you're still unsure, 00:39:01.220 --> 00:39:02.019 take the problem 00:39:02.019 --> 00:39:02.619 to God 00:39:02.619 --> 00:39:04.099 and leave it there. 00:39:05.780 --> 00:39:07.260 And this is most clearly seen 00:39:07.260 --> 00:39:08.019 as Habakkuk 00:39:08.019 --> 00:39:09.699 waited submissively 00:39:09.699 --> 00:39:11.400 for God's answer. 00:39:12.099 --> 00:39:13.720 So when you're perplexity today, 00:39:14.000 --> 00:39:14.920 stop and think. 00:39:15.900 --> 00:39:17.360 Restate the basic principles. 00:39:18.260 --> 00:39:19.340 Apply those principles 00:39:19.340 --> 00:39:20.119 to your dilemma. 00:39:20.840 --> 00:39:22.159 And if you're still unsure, 00:39:23.180 --> 00:39:24.059 commit it to God 00:39:24.059 --> 00:39:25.240 and leave it there. 00:39:27.340 --> 00:39:28.980 In Corrie Ten Boom's 00:39:28.980 --> 00:39:29.980 autobiography 00:39:29.980 --> 00:39:31.220 called The Hiding Place, 00:39:31.760 --> 00:39:33.460 she recalls a moment 00:39:33.460 --> 00:39:34.519 when she was a little girl 00:39:34.519 --> 00:39:36.099 riding on the train 00:39:36.099 --> 00:39:37.820 back from Amsterdam 00:39:37.820 --> 00:39:38.599 with her father. 00:39:39.500 --> 00:39:40.960 Now her dad was a 00:39:40.960 --> 00:39:43.480 watch and clock repairman. 00:39:43.480 --> 00:39:45.380 And he had a pretty heavy 00:39:45.380 --> 00:39:46.219 tool bag 00:39:46.219 --> 00:39:47.000 that had all of his 00:39:47.000 --> 00:39:48.000 things in it 00:39:48.000 --> 00:39:48.460 that he needed 00:39:48.460 --> 00:39:49.159 for their trip. 00:39:49.940 --> 00:39:50.840 And as they were 00:39:50.840 --> 00:39:51.679 on their way back 00:39:51.679 --> 00:39:52.340 from Amsterdam 00:39:52.340 --> 00:39:53.460 to where they lived, 00:39:55.119 --> 00:39:55.639 Corrie Ten Boom 00:39:55.639 --> 00:39:57.159 remember asking her father 00:39:57.159 --> 00:39:58.880 about a question 00:39:58.880 --> 00:40:00.679 about marital intimacy. 00:40:00.900 --> 00:40:01.519 It was a question 00:40:01.519 --> 00:40:02.579 that certainly 00:40:02.579 --> 00:40:03.599 she was too young 00:40:03.599 --> 00:40:04.320 to understand 00:40:04.320 --> 00:40:05.360 and answer for 00:40:05.360 --> 00:40:06.199 and certainly 00:40:06.199 --> 00:40:07.179 too immature 00:40:07.179 --> 00:40:08.820 to grasp everything 00:40:08.820 --> 00:40:10.400 that came about 00:40:10.400 --> 00:40:11.440 with that kind of question. 00:40:11.440 --> 00:40:12.980 But instead of 00:40:12.980 --> 00:40:14.119 plainly denying 00:40:14.119 --> 00:40:14.940 her an answer, 00:40:15.579 --> 00:40:16.980 her dad illustrated 00:40:16.980 --> 00:40:18.340 an answer for her 00:40:18.340 --> 00:40:18.760 instead. 00:40:19.679 --> 00:40:20.400 As they were 00:40:20.400 --> 00:40:21.260 getting off the train, 00:40:21.840 --> 00:40:23.119 he asked Corrie 00:40:23.119 --> 00:40:24.079 if she would 00:40:24.079 --> 00:40:25.480 carry his work bag. 00:40:26.400 --> 00:40:26.860 Well, she was 00:40:26.860 --> 00:40:27.740 much too weak 00:40:27.740 --> 00:40:28.119 to do that. 00:40:28.179 --> 00:40:28.659 She couldn't even 00:40:28.659 --> 00:40:30.179 lift it off the ground 00:40:30.179 --> 00:40:31.240 and she recalls 00:40:31.240 --> 00:40:32.340 calling out to her dad 00:40:32.340 --> 00:40:32.679 and saying, 00:40:33.019 --> 00:40:34.039 it's much too heavy. 00:40:34.460 --> 00:40:35.840 I cannot carry it. 00:40:36.440 --> 00:40:37.480 To which her 00:40:37.480 --> 00:40:38.659 father replied, 00:40:38.659 --> 00:40:40.119 well, I guess 00:40:40.119 --> 00:40:40.739 you'll just have 00:40:40.739 --> 00:40:41.279 to let me 00:40:41.279 --> 00:40:42.539 carry it for you 00:40:42.539 --> 00:40:43.539 until you're 00:40:43.539 --> 00:40:44.239 strong enough. 00:40:45.420 --> 00:40:46.159 And that's the way 00:40:46.159 --> 00:40:47.019 that he illustrated 00:40:47.019 --> 00:40:48.139 not giving her 00:40:48.139 --> 00:40:49.139 a particular answer 00:40:49.139 --> 00:40:50.279 about marital intimacy. 00:40:51.399 --> 00:40:52.059 It wasn't time 00:40:52.059 --> 00:40:52.980 for her to carry that. 00:40:53.420 --> 00:40:53.980 So he needed 00:40:53.980 --> 00:40:54.920 to carry it for her 00:40:54.920 --> 00:40:55.699 until the right time 00:40:55.699 --> 00:40:56.119 would come. 00:40:57.179 --> 00:40:58.119 Years later, 00:40:58.639 --> 00:40:59.739 as she sat 00:40:59.739 --> 00:41:01.259 and endured 00:41:01.259 --> 00:41:02.460 the atrocities 00:41:02.460 --> 00:41:04.299 of a Nazi 00:41:04.299 --> 00:41:05.679 concentration camp 00:41:05.679 --> 00:41:06.579 in World War II, 00:41:06.579 --> 00:41:08.799 she found herself 00:41:08.799 --> 00:41:10.139 crying out to God 00:41:10.139 --> 00:41:11.219 asking, 00:41:11.599 --> 00:41:11.940 why? 00:41:13.380 --> 00:41:14.779 Why are you allowing 00:41:14.779 --> 00:41:15.779 such wickedness 00:41:15.779 --> 00:41:16.299 to reign? 00:41:17.340 --> 00:41:18.639 Why are you allowing 00:41:18.639 --> 00:41:19.699 me and my sister 00:41:19.699 --> 00:41:20.599 to go through 00:41:20.599 --> 00:41:22.519 such devastating 00:41:22.519 --> 00:41:23.340 circumstances? 00:41:23.699 --> 00:41:25.239 Why are you subjecting 00:41:25.239 --> 00:41:25.880 me to see 00:41:25.880 --> 00:41:27.039 such violence? 00:41:27.219 --> 00:41:28.360 Why are you subjecting 00:41:28.360 --> 00:41:28.960 me to see 00:41:28.960 --> 00:41:30.239 such death 00:41:30.239 --> 00:41:31.259 and cruelty? 00:41:32.360 --> 00:41:33.480 And it was in that 00:41:33.480 --> 00:41:34.460 moment that she writes 00:41:34.460 --> 00:41:34.880 in her book 00:41:34.880 --> 00:41:36.360 that God reminded her 00:41:36.360 --> 00:41:37.480 of that conversation 00:41:37.480 --> 00:41:38.800 with her father. 00:41:39.960 --> 00:41:40.860 And she immediately 00:41:40.860 --> 00:41:42.220 recognized, 00:41:42.940 --> 00:41:43.360 realized, 00:41:44.280 --> 00:41:45.720 that even in adulthood, 00:41:46.360 --> 00:41:47.800 there are some things 00:41:47.800 --> 00:41:48.700 that are too heavy 00:41:48.700 --> 00:41:49.240 for her 00:41:49.240 --> 00:41:50.460 to carry. 00:41:51.320 --> 00:41:52.780 And instead of wrestling 00:41:52.780 --> 00:41:54.420 with the impossible task, 00:41:55.079 --> 00:41:56.260 she would just have 00:41:56.260 --> 00:41:57.320 to let Jesus 00:41:57.320 --> 00:41:59.079 carry it for her. 00:41:59.079 --> 00:42:02.460 you may be in a situation 00:42:02.460 --> 00:42:03.000 today 00:42:03.000 --> 00:42:04.079 that you just 00:42:04.079 --> 00:42:04.860 don't understand. 00:42:06.000 --> 00:42:07.299 You've thought it through. 00:42:07.900 --> 00:42:08.980 You've reassured 00:42:08.980 --> 00:42:09.519 yourself 00:42:09.519 --> 00:42:10.159 with the basic 00:42:10.159 --> 00:42:11.219 principles of the Bible. 00:42:11.799 --> 00:42:12.699 You've tried 00:42:12.699 --> 00:42:13.440 to apply them 00:42:13.440 --> 00:42:14.259 to your circumstance, 00:42:14.259 --> 00:42:15.739 but you're still 00:42:15.739 --> 00:42:16.519 left in doubt. 00:42:17.679 --> 00:42:18.539 And I want to 00:42:18.539 --> 00:42:19.179 encourage you 00:42:19.179 --> 00:42:20.119 in these moments 00:42:20.119 --> 00:42:22.019 to trust Jesus 00:42:22.019 --> 00:42:24.000 and let him 00:42:24.000 --> 00:42:25.019 carry that weight 00:42:25.019 --> 00:42:26.179 for you. 00:42:26.179 --> 00:42:27.940 he loves you. 00:42:29.419 --> 00:42:30.319 And you know 00:42:30.319 --> 00:42:31.299 you can trust him. 00:42:32.839 --> 00:42:33.799 Now it's time 00:42:33.799 --> 00:42:34.679 to leave it with him 00:42:34.679 --> 00:42:36.679 and simply submit 00:42:36.679 --> 00:42:37.980 to what he's determined 00:42:37.980 --> 00:42:39.559 for you to endure. 00:42:39.559 --> 00:42:41.219 Thank you for listening 00:42:41.219 --> 00:42:41.880 to this sermon 00:42:41.880 --> 00:42:42.440 made available 00:42:42.440 --> 00:42:43.880 by Lakeside Bible Church. 00:42:44.320 --> 00:42:45.279 Feel free to share it 00:42:45.279 --> 00:42:45.980 wherever you'd like. 00:42:46.500 --> 00:42:47.460 Please do not charge 00:42:47.460 --> 00:42:48.599 for it or alter it 00:42:48.599 --> 00:42:49.219 in any way 00:42:49.219 --> 00:42:50.079 without express 00:42:50.079 --> 00:42:50.860 written consent 00:42:50.860 --> 00:42:52.259 from Lakeside Bible Church. 00:42:52.799 --> 00:42:53.460 Don't forget 00:42:53.460 --> 00:42:54.420 to visit us online 00:42:54.420 --> 00:42:55.940 at lakesidebible.church 00:42:55.940 --> 00:42:57.500 or find us on Facebook 00:42:57.500 --> 00:42:58.179 and Instagram 00:42:58.179 --> 00:42:58.860 by searching 00:42:58.860 --> 00:43:00.579 for Lakeside Bible NC. 00:43:01.340 --> 00:43:02.460 If you live in the Charlotte 00:43:02.460 --> 00:43:03.320 or Lake Norman area, 00:43:03.460 --> 00:43:04.119 we'd love for you 00:43:04.119 --> 00:43:04.679 to attend one 00:43:04.679 --> 00:43:05.679 of our worship services. 00:43:06.099 --> 00:43:06.980 We meet every Sunday 00:43:06.980 --> 00:43:08.079 morning at 10 a.m. 00:43:08.079 --> 00:43:09.420 We'd love to meet you. 00:43:09.559 --> 00:43:39.539 We'd love to meet you.