WEBVTT 00:00:00.820 --> 00:00:08.279 Habakkuk, Habakkuk, whatever way you say it. I think they say Habakkuk in America. I think 00:00:08.279 --> 00:00:15.259 we say Habakkuk in Ireland, but I won't get into an argument with anyone over it. Habakkuk, 00:00:16.019 --> 00:00:23.960 chapter 1. That's on page 940, and you're going to need a page number this morning for 00:00:23.960 --> 00:00:31.100 that, 940. It's a small book, just three chapters, and we're going to take the next three weeks 00:00:31.100 --> 00:00:35.380 together to study what God has to say to us through it. 00:00:40.719 --> 00:00:48.960 So we're going to read from chapter 1, verse 1, up until chapter 2, and verse 4 today. 00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:55.500 Before we start, let's pray. Let's commit this time to the Lord. 00:00:59.760 --> 00:01:08.240 Lord, what we're about to read isn't all easy. We need your help. 00:01:10.079 --> 00:01:17.040 Or we find it hard to understand your ways and to trust you. God, give us grace now to hear 00:01:17.040 --> 00:01:23.940 what your word has to say to us. In Jesus' name, amen. 00:01:27.680 --> 00:01:34.560 Do you ever get overwhelmed by the injustice and suffering in the world around you? 00:01:36.300 --> 00:01:43.840 Do you ever pray about it and wonder why God continues to allow it to happen? 00:01:43.840 --> 00:01:54.420 A few months ago, you would have heard in the news that an army officer walked free from a 00:01:54.420 --> 00:02:03.920 Limerick courtroom after knocking a woman unconscious on the streets of Limerick and bragging about 00:02:03.920 --> 00:02:04.680 it to his friends. 00:02:04.680 --> 00:02:15.760 Elsewhere on our city streets, drug dealers exploit vulnerable young people to sell drugs while they 00:02:15.760 --> 00:02:20.560 themselves get off scot-free, living lives of luxury. 00:02:23.060 --> 00:02:28.020 Further afield, in Ukraine, you may have heard this in the news, 00:02:28.020 --> 00:02:37.080 tens of thousands of children have been forcibly deported to Russia with no promise of ever being returned. 00:02:39.080 --> 00:02:48.439 In the Israel-Hamas war, approximately 30,000 civilians have been killed. 00:02:48.439 --> 00:02:54.120 And over a hundred hostages remain in captivity. 00:02:54.659 --> 00:02:57.219 All of this and more. 00:02:58.139 --> 00:03:01.099 It makes us cry out with Habakkuk. 00:03:01.800 --> 00:03:03.780 In verse 2, read with me. 00:03:04.680 --> 00:03:10.159 How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? 00:03:11.579 --> 00:03:16.159 Or cry out to you, violence, but you do not save? 00:03:16.159 --> 00:03:20.079 Why do you make me look at injustice? 00:03:21.579 --> 00:03:23.560 Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? 00:03:25.240 --> 00:03:27.319 Destruction and violence are before me. 00:03:27.620 --> 00:03:29.939 There is strife and conflict abounds. 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:33.979 Therefore, the law is paralyzed and justice never prevails. 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:42.699 The wicked hem in the righteous so that justice is perverted. 00:03:42.699 --> 00:03:49.859 Habakkuk has the honesty to say out loud what we're all thinking. 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:55.539 When we see justice being perverted time and time again. 00:03:55.659 --> 00:04:03.479 And what follows is this gripping dialogue between this weary, doubting man and his God, 00:04:04.219 --> 00:04:05.859 which we really need to hear today. 00:04:05.860 --> 00:04:13.740 This text is going to show us how to talk to God about the ugly realities of injustice and suffering. 00:04:14.180 --> 00:04:17.699 What to do when God seems deaf to our cries. 00:04:18.600 --> 00:04:20.920 Or when his answers are too difficult to accept. 00:04:22.699 --> 00:04:31.199 And finally, we're going to learn how God calls us to live by faith as we struggle with all of these things. 00:04:31.199 --> 00:04:36.779 And we're going to walk through this text in the structure that it gives us. 00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:38.620 Habakkuk speaks. 00:04:39.120 --> 00:04:39.860 God responds. 00:04:40.740 --> 00:04:42.240 Then Habakkuk responds to God. 00:04:42.979 --> 00:04:46.240 And God has his final word. 00:04:47.379 --> 00:04:52.659 So let's start with Habakkuk's questions, which we just read there. 00:04:52.719 --> 00:04:56.480 And I wonder, did those questions make you feel just a little bit uncomfortable? 00:04:56.480 --> 00:05:02.540 I mean, is it okay to express frustration and doubt like that to God? 00:05:03.360 --> 00:05:04.480 I mean, look at verse 2. 00:05:05.540 --> 00:05:08.319 He asks, how long, Lord, must I call for help? 00:05:08.379 --> 00:05:10.319 But you do not listen. 00:05:13.780 --> 00:05:16.080 Now, Habakkuk is a prophet of God. 00:05:16.340 --> 00:05:18.939 He knows the scriptures back to front. 00:05:20.280 --> 00:05:24.920 He obviously knows that God listens to our cries. 00:05:24.920 --> 00:05:29.879 But he's living in Judah at this moment in time. 00:05:30.420 --> 00:05:34.080 And this nation is spiraling out of control and wickedness. 00:05:34.400 --> 00:05:39.860 He is frustrated and he's wearied from the rampant injustice he sees around him. 00:05:39.900 --> 00:05:45.300 And right now in this moment, he honestly feels like God isn't listening to his prayers. 00:05:47.160 --> 00:05:48.480 That's real life, isn't it? 00:05:48.480 --> 00:05:53.080 There's no glossing over the truth. 00:05:54.920 --> 00:05:56.300 We get tired. 00:05:57.100 --> 00:06:03.460 We get tired of praying the same prayers over and over and not seeing any change. 00:06:04.340 --> 00:06:06.680 We say, what's the point in praying about this anymore? 00:06:06.680 --> 00:06:11.100 Why is God just letting it happen? 00:06:12.939 --> 00:06:16.759 And yes, deep down in our hearts, we know that God does hear every cry of ours. 00:06:16.900 --> 00:06:18.960 We know Romans 8.28. 00:06:19.100 --> 00:06:21.579 He works everything for good. 00:06:21.759 --> 00:06:26.759 But some days we just don't feel it. 00:06:26.759 --> 00:06:29.259 Is that okay? 00:06:31.259 --> 00:06:37.060 Well, I think the first thing that we learn from Habakkuk here is that God can take our honest questions. 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:39.519 He can handle our doubts. 00:06:40.620 --> 00:06:44.800 Tomorrow, I might have total faith that he's listening and he's working everything out for good. 00:06:44.899 --> 00:06:49.920 But Habakkuk shows us that it's okay to be honest with God if we don't feel it today. 00:06:51.439 --> 00:06:54.579 God can handle our honest questions. 00:06:54.579 --> 00:07:02.219 He wants us to come to him with our doubts, not to pull away. 00:07:04.599 --> 00:07:12.519 But what's also really important to note here is how Habakkuk asks his honest questions. 00:07:13.360 --> 00:07:14.939 And it's a humble asking. 00:07:16.620 --> 00:07:21.139 This is no arrogant, I know better than you, rant, 00:07:21.139 --> 00:07:25.360 with one foot already out the door to leave. 00:07:25.879 --> 00:07:28.860 No, Habakkuk isn't giving up on God here. 00:07:29.219 --> 00:07:29.919 That's clear. 00:07:32.139 --> 00:07:37.439 Neither is this a kind of superficial glossing over the situation or the pain he feels, 00:07:38.339 --> 00:07:39.560 pretending it doesn't exist. 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:40.560 No, both those are wrong. 00:07:40.560 --> 00:07:44.980 No, this is a humble asking. 00:07:46.780 --> 00:07:50.439 Where Habakkuk asks his honest questions about his pain. 00:07:51.879 --> 00:07:55.699 And even if he has to wait to get an answer, he's staying. 00:07:55.699 --> 00:08:03.560 And we can follow Habakkuk's example here as we bring our questions to God 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:06.699 about the pain and injustice that we can't understand. 00:08:07.740 --> 00:08:12.360 Even the very asking of those questions is an act of faith in and of itself. 00:08:14.180 --> 00:08:19.099 So first, we bring our honest questions to God and we ask humbly, 00:08:19.100 --> 00:08:21.480 waiting for his answer. 00:08:22.620 --> 00:08:23.600 Now, I know what you're thinking. 00:08:23.960 --> 00:08:25.080 That's all well and good, Sam. 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:29.600 But what about when God's answer isn't what I asked for? 00:08:30.640 --> 00:08:32.899 What if nothing changes for months or years? 00:08:33.560 --> 00:08:36.460 What if the pain or the injustice simply gets worse? 00:08:39.600 --> 00:08:41.379 Well, this is actually what happened to Habakkuk. 00:08:41.379 --> 00:08:46.779 Because after Habakkuk's honest questions, in verse 5, 00:08:46.899 --> 00:08:48.919 come God's difficult answers. 00:08:49.539 --> 00:08:53.240 And it's going to feel for all the world like God is failing him. 00:08:55.159 --> 00:08:58.259 But God's difficult answers are not the end of the story. 00:08:58.360 --> 00:08:59.000 Not for us. 00:09:00.039 --> 00:09:01.019 Not for Habakkuk. 00:09:01.320 --> 00:09:03.460 Let's hear God's response in verse 5. 00:09:03.460 --> 00:09:04.080 He says, 00:09:04.879 --> 00:09:07.799 Look at the nations and watch, and be utterly amazed. 00:09:07.799 --> 00:09:12.179 For I am going to do something in your days that you would not even believe, 00:09:12.539 --> 00:09:13.459 even if you were told. 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:17.079 And I think the first thing to note here 00:09:17.079 --> 00:09:21.639 is that God's difficult answers are not as we expect. 00:09:22.979 --> 00:09:27.559 God reminds Habakkuk and us that his ways are so much higher than ours. 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:31.139 We were hearing that already from what Connor shared from Romans this morning. 00:09:31.659 --> 00:09:37.740 In fact, we should not expect to understand all of God's actions in our world, should we? 00:09:37.799 --> 00:09:43.279 It shouldn't surprise us if we don't get it, 00:09:43.539 --> 00:09:46.740 or can't see how this situation works for good, 00:09:46.799 --> 00:09:52.179 because God is the all-knowing, perfectly just creator, 00:09:52.279 --> 00:09:55.059 who sees everything from beginning to end. 00:09:57.299 --> 00:10:00.599 But that's hard to trust, isn't it, in the middle of a crisis? 00:10:00.600 --> 00:10:06.879 And I think it all boils down to this. 00:10:09.220 --> 00:10:11.040 Are we willing to trust God 00:10:11.040 --> 00:10:14.440 with the things that we don't expect 00:10:14.440 --> 00:10:18.019 and the things that don't make sense? 00:10:19.480 --> 00:10:20.440 Let's continue. 00:10:21.659 --> 00:10:25.899 In verse 6, with God's difficult, unexpected answer. 00:10:25.899 --> 00:10:27.240 Here it is, verse 6. 00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:30.620 I am raising up the Babylonians, 00:10:31.100 --> 00:10:33.799 that ruthless and impetuous people 00:10:33.799 --> 00:10:35.980 who will sweep across the whole earth 00:10:35.980 --> 00:10:38.519 to seize dwellings not their own. 00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:40.559 They are a feared and dreaded people. 00:10:40.819 --> 00:10:42.019 They are a law to themselves 00:10:42.019 --> 00:10:43.919 and promote their own honor. 00:10:44.279 --> 00:10:46.059 Their horses are swifter than leopards, 00:10:46.419 --> 00:10:47.919 fiercer than wolves at dusk. 00:10:48.199 --> 00:10:50.220 Their cavalry gallops headlong. 00:10:50.480 --> 00:10:52.019 Their horsemen come from afar. 00:10:52.340 --> 00:10:54.819 They fly like an eagle, swooping to devour. 00:10:54.820 --> 00:10:57.840 They all come intent on violence. 00:10:58.620 --> 00:11:00.600 Their hordes advance like a desert wind 00:11:00.600 --> 00:11:02.900 and gather prisoners like sand. 00:11:03.240 --> 00:11:05.500 They mock kings and scoff at rulers. 00:11:05.860 --> 00:11:07.820 They laugh at all fortified cities. 00:11:08.180 --> 00:11:10.400 By building earthen ramps, they capture them. 00:11:10.660 --> 00:11:12.980 Then they sweep past like the wind and go on. 00:11:13.820 --> 00:11:17.860 Guilty people whose own strength is their God. 00:11:20.500 --> 00:11:21.520 Let's be real. 00:11:21.820 --> 00:11:23.920 This is Habakkuk's worst nightmare. 00:11:24.820 --> 00:11:29.900 Can you imagine the horror of God telling you directly 00:11:29.900 --> 00:11:33.820 that your country will be overrun by a ruthless army 00:11:33.820 --> 00:11:36.900 who will destroy, kill, and take captive? 00:11:36.899 --> 00:11:41.939 And for Habakkuk, worse still. 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:45.379 God is the one sending them. 00:11:47.279 --> 00:11:49.000 God says it himself in verse 6. 00:11:49.079 --> 00:11:51.980 He says, I am raising up the Babylonians. 00:11:52.179 --> 00:11:54.039 This text tells us straight out 00:11:54.039 --> 00:11:58.120 that God raises up evil nations 00:11:58.120 --> 00:12:00.240 to do evil things 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:03.200 within his perfect plan 00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:06.919 for his people and his world. 00:12:06.919 --> 00:12:12.819 And this difficult answer plunges Habakkuk and us 00:12:12.819 --> 00:12:15.639 into a painful struggle. 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:18.179 And this is a struggle that God's servants 00:12:18.179 --> 00:12:19.759 in every age have gone through. 00:12:19.919 --> 00:12:22.740 How can God be holy and good 00:12:22.740 --> 00:12:26.679 and yet sovereign over evil? 00:12:26.679 --> 00:12:32.239 But before we delve more into this, 00:12:32.579 --> 00:12:35.139 just notice in verse 12 00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:36.679 how Habakkuk addresses God 00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:39.459 in the middle of this struggle. 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:42.779 He uses words like, 00:12:43.579 --> 00:12:43.959 my Lord, 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:45.500 my God, 00:12:46.019 --> 00:12:47.120 my Holy One, 00:12:47.599 --> 00:12:48.319 my Rock. 00:12:48.419 --> 00:12:50.039 That's the kind of language that says, 00:12:50.239 --> 00:12:52.059 I'm coming to you, Lord, 00:12:52.179 --> 00:12:53.779 because I know you're faithful. 00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:56.439 Even if I don't understand what you're doing. 00:12:57.459 --> 00:12:59.259 Even if I'm confused and angry. 00:12:59.740 --> 00:13:01.600 You're still my Lord. 00:13:02.439 --> 00:13:04.199 You're still my Rock. 00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:06.100 On which I stand. 00:13:06.199 --> 00:13:07.500 What a way to approach 00:13:07.500 --> 00:13:11.000 those painful struggles in our lives. 00:13:14.199 --> 00:13:14.759 Saying, 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:17.019 Lord, you are still my Rock. 00:13:17.259 --> 00:13:18.500 Even in the middle of this. 00:13:19.079 --> 00:13:20.799 To where else can I go? 00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:24.279 So in that light, 00:13:24.359 --> 00:13:26.819 let's delve into Habakkuk's struggle 00:13:26.819 --> 00:13:28.659 to square God's goodness 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:30.919 with his sovereignty over evil. 00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:32.799 Let's read together from verse 12. 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:34.740 Lord, 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:37.199 are you not from everlasting? 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:39.359 My God, 00:13:39.439 --> 00:13:40.099 my Holy One, 00:13:40.740 --> 00:13:41.859 you will never die. 00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:43.379 You, Lord, 00:13:43.559 --> 00:13:44.859 have appointed them 00:13:44.859 --> 00:13:46.819 to execute judgment. 00:13:47.579 --> 00:13:47.959 You, 00:13:47.959 --> 00:13:48.719 my Rock, 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:49.859 have ordained them 00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:50.700 to punish. 00:13:52.300 --> 00:13:53.180 Verse 13, 00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:54.639 your eyes are too pure 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:55.560 to look on evil. 00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:58.659 You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. 00:13:58.940 --> 00:14:00.120 Why then do you tolerate 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:00.899 the treacherous? 00:14:02.680 --> 00:14:03.980 Why are you silent? 00:14:04.580 --> 00:14:05.320 While the wicked 00:14:05.320 --> 00:14:07.100 swallow up those more righteous 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:09.000 than themselves. 00:14:12.100 --> 00:14:13.879 And we're all with Habakkuk here, 00:14:13.920 --> 00:14:14.300 aren't we? 00:14:14.340 --> 00:14:14.480 I mean, 00:14:14.519 --> 00:14:15.639 he rightly points out, 00:14:15.700 --> 00:14:15.899 God, 00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:16.899 you're holy. 00:14:17.720 --> 00:14:18.820 Your eyes are too pure 00:14:18.820 --> 00:14:19.580 to look on evil. 00:14:19.680 --> 00:14:20.700 How can you be 00:14:20.700 --> 00:14:23.060 sovereign over evil 00:14:23.060 --> 00:14:24.120 and still good? 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:25.960 Well, 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:27.700 as we read on in Habakkuk, 00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:29.379 actually in chapter 2, 00:14:30.280 --> 00:14:30.940 we'll see that 00:14:30.940 --> 00:14:32.320 while God is 100% 00:14:32.320 --> 00:14:34.840 sovereign over evil, 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:35.940 people are also 00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:37.500 100% responsible 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:38.800 for the evil 00:14:38.800 --> 00:14:39.720 that they do. 00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:42.340 we're going to read 00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:42.940 in chapter 2 00:14:42.940 --> 00:14:44.500 how God pronounces judgment 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:45.720 on this nation 00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:46.360 of Babylon 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:48.740 for their wickedness. 00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:50.660 God speaks of them 00:14:50.660 --> 00:14:52.259 as having total control 00:14:52.259 --> 00:14:54.580 over their actions. 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:56.500 They choose 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:57.980 the evil 00:14:57.980 --> 00:14:58.940 that they're going to bring 00:14:58.940 --> 00:14:59.560 upon Israel. 00:14:59.700 --> 00:15:00.040 And yet, 00:15:00.180 --> 00:15:01.000 equally true 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:03.139 was that God 00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:04.120 was totally sovereign 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:05.440 over those evil choices 00:15:05.440 --> 00:15:07.779 to achieve his purposes 00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:08.579 for his people. 00:15:08.579 --> 00:15:10.659 God is 100% sovereign. 00:15:11.079 --> 00:15:13.720 People are 100% responsible. 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:15.120 Both true 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:16.000 at the same time. 00:15:16.199 --> 00:15:17.939 A profound mystery 00:15:17.939 --> 00:15:20.559 that God has chosen 00:15:20.559 --> 00:15:23.439 not to fully explain 00:15:23.439 --> 00:15:24.699 to us. 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:25.539 And again, 00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:26.220 we come back 00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:27.120 to the same question. 00:15:29.199 --> 00:15:30.439 Are we willing 00:15:30.439 --> 00:15:32.419 to trust God 00:15:32.419 --> 00:15:34.639 with the difficult answers 00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:35.199 he gives, 00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:36.940 the things 00:15:36.940 --> 00:15:37.759 that we don't 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:38.640 yet understand? 00:15:38.800 --> 00:15:39.759 Even when the answer 00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:40.420 he gives 00:15:40.420 --> 00:15:41.300 is the thing 00:15:41.300 --> 00:15:42.480 that we fear the most 00:15:42.480 --> 00:15:44.080 as for Habakkuk. 00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:46.820 Will we stay around? 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:49.860 Or will we walk 00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:50.620 out the door on him? 00:15:52.820 --> 00:15:53.320 Habakkuk, 00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:54.740 while completely devastated, 00:15:55.080 --> 00:15:55.860 he's staying. 00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:58.980 And in an act of faith, 00:15:59.060 --> 00:15:59.780 he continues 00:15:59.780 --> 00:16:00.879 to struggle 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:02.000 with God 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:03.259 in prayer. 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:04.679 So, 00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:06.580 from verses 14 00:16:06.580 --> 00:16:07.720 on to 16, 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:09.259 he compares Babylon 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:11.620 to this greedy angler, 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:12.240 like a fisherman, 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:14.580 who mercilessly 00:16:14.580 --> 00:16:15.620 just hoards 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:17.019 people like fish 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:18.659 into his net 00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:19.299 while living 00:16:19.299 --> 00:16:20.379 in luxury. 00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:22.100 Let's pick it up 00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:22.980 in verse 17. 00:16:24.319 --> 00:16:25.120 Is he, 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:25.559 Babylon, 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:27.080 to keep on 00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:28.419 emptying his net, 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:30.159 destroying nations 00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:30.960 without mercy? 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:34.440 I will stand 00:16:34.440 --> 00:16:35.139 at my watch 00:16:35.139 --> 00:16:37.379 and station myself 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:38.460 on the ramparts. 00:16:39.460 --> 00:16:40.639 I will look 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:41.180 to see 00:16:41.180 --> 00:16:42.120 what he will say 00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:42.480 to me 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:43.240 and what answer 00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:44.180 I am to give 00:16:44.180 --> 00:16:45.100 to this complaint. 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:49.320 Well, 00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:50.700 what's your painful 00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:51.360 struggle today? 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:54.440 You prayed 00:16:54.440 --> 00:16:54.980 for hope 00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:57.400 and God gave you 00:16:57.400 --> 00:16:58.240 something you never 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:58.800 expected. 00:16:58.799 --> 00:17:00.859 maybe even 00:17:00.859 --> 00:17:02.039 the thing 00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:02.579 you dreaded 00:17:02.579 --> 00:17:03.079 the most. 00:17:04.659 --> 00:17:05.759 And like Habakkuk 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:06.720 in verse 17, 00:17:06.899 --> 00:17:07.399 you honestly 00:17:07.399 --> 00:17:07.919 ask God, 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:08.799 will this ever end? 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:11.480 How is God 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:12.259 good 00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:14.139 in this situation? 00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:16.960 We're all 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:17.839 in the same struggle 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:19.180 and it feels 00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:19.779 like we are 00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:20.379 standing 00:17:20.379 --> 00:17:21.619 up there 00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:22.220 on the city 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:22.779 walls 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:23.539 with Habakkuk. 00:17:23.599 --> 00:17:24.379 What an epic 00:17:24.379 --> 00:17:25.240 scene. 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:27.640 and we 00:17:27.640 --> 00:17:29.059 need 00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:29.900 answers 00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:32.460 and we're 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:32.700 going to 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:33.380 wait for them. 00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:35.599 We're standing 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:36.299 on those city 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:36.660 walls 00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:37.259 as it were. 00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:38.519 We've got 00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:39.019 no one else 00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:39.660 to turn to. 00:17:39.799 --> 00:17:40.660 We're going 00:17:40.660 --> 00:17:41.259 to God. 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:44.019 The scene 00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:44.440 is set. 00:17:44.599 --> 00:17:44.960 Everything 00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:45.660 is out 00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:46.200 on the table 00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:47.900 and God 00:17:47.900 --> 00:17:48.220 is about 00:17:48.220 --> 00:17:48.539 to give 00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:49.160 his response. 00:17:49.160 --> 00:17:51.660 what will 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:52.060 he say? 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:56.120 Let's read 00:17:56.120 --> 00:17:56.680 from verse 2. 00:17:58.300 --> 00:17:59.040 Then the 00:17:59.040 --> 00:17:59.779 Lord replied, 00:18:00.900 --> 00:18:02.220 write down 00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:02.880 the revelation 00:18:02.880 --> 00:18:04.480 and make it 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:05.500 plain on 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:06.160 tablets so 00:18:06.160 --> 00:18:06.480 that a 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:07.180 herald may 00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:07.540 run with 00:18:07.540 --> 00:18:07.740 it. 00:18:08.940 --> 00:18:09.420 For the 00:18:09.420 --> 00:18:09.920 revelation 00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:10.519 awaits an 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.259 appointed time. 00:18:11.380 --> 00:18:11.779 It speaks 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.300 of the end 00:18:12.300 --> 00:18:12.720 and will 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:13.180 not prove 00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:13.519 false. 00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:14.279 Though it 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:14.600 linger, 00:18:14.900 --> 00:18:15.279 wait for 00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:15.460 it. 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:17.360 It will 00:18:17.360 --> 00:18:17.840 certainly 00:18:17.840 --> 00:18:18.259 come. 00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:19.600 And will 00:18:19.600 --> 00:18:20.040 not 00:18:20.040 --> 00:18:20.940 delay. 00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:23.400 The 00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:23.900 revelation 00:18:23.900 --> 00:18:24.460 is spelled 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:25.060 out in 00:18:25.060 --> 00:18:25.420 the rest 00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:25.740 of this 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:26.080 chapter. 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:26.800 And in 00:18:26.800 --> 00:18:27.120 summary, 00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:28.500 Babylon 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.000 will be 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:29.320 judged 00:18:29.320 --> 00:18:29.820 by God. 00:18:32.380 --> 00:18:33.100 But in 00:18:33.100 --> 00:18:33.700 the meantime, 00:18:35.360 --> 00:18:35.860 Habakkuk 00:18:35.860 --> 00:18:36.500 will have 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:36.920 to wait. 00:18:38.420 --> 00:18:39.080 And sometimes 00:18:39.080 --> 00:18:39.660 that waiting 00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:40.840 feels unbearable, 00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:41.300 doesn't it? 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:43.720 But God 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:44.300 tells us 00:18:44.300 --> 00:18:46.000 how it 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:46.860 is possible 00:18:46.860 --> 00:18:47.340 to wait 00:18:47.340 --> 00:18:48.180 patiently for 00:18:48.180 --> 00:18:48.840 his justice. 00:18:49.160 --> 00:18:49.800 And this 00:18:49.800 --> 00:18:50.140 is the 00:18:50.140 --> 00:18:50.500 climax 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:50.980 statement. 00:18:51.320 --> 00:18:51.620 This is 00:18:51.620 --> 00:18:51.900 what it 00:18:51.900 --> 00:18:52.660 all comes 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:53.220 down to 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:53.940 in verse 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:54.240 four. 00:18:54.320 --> 00:18:54.460 Let's 00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:54.740 read it 00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:55.060 together. 00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:55.759 See, 00:18:56.340 --> 00:18:57.120 the enemy 00:18:57.120 --> 00:18:58.040 is puffed 00:18:58.040 --> 00:18:58.259 up. 00:18:58.580 --> 00:18:58.840 His 00:18:58.840 --> 00:18:59.340 desires 00:18:59.340 --> 00:19:00.040 are not 00:19:00.040 --> 00:19:00.519 upright. 00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:02.420 But the 00:19:02.420 --> 00:19:02.880 righteous 00:19:02.880 --> 00:19:03.660 person 00:19:03.660 --> 00:19:05.640 will live 00:19:05.640 --> 00:19:06.640 by his 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:07.440 faithfulness. 00:19:07.600 --> 00:19:08.019 Or simply 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:08.300 put, 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:09.800 will live 00:19:09.800 --> 00:19:10.440 by 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:11.700 faith. 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:15.000 That's 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:15.340 how we 00:19:15.340 --> 00:19:15.740 can wait 00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:16.259 patiently 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:17.140 in the 00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:17.440 struggle. 00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:19.660 God 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:20.120 calls us 00:19:20.120 --> 00:19:20.660 to live 00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:21.400 by 00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:22.240 faith. 00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:24.019 This is 00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:24.519 the opposite 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:24.900 of the 00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:25.440 ungodly. 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:25.740 Did you 00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:26.320 notice that? 00:19:27.120 --> 00:19:27.460 They are 00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:28.220 puffed up. 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:29.940 Or they 00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:30.299 live by 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:30.700 their own 00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:30.920 strength. 00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:31.180 They don't 00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:31.740 need God. 00:19:34.080 --> 00:19:34.680 And in 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:35.160 verse five 00:19:35.160 --> 00:19:35.500 it says 00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:35.860 they're never 00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:36.900 satisfied by 00:19:36.900 --> 00:19:37.340 all the 00:19:37.340 --> 00:19:37.880 things they 00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:38.480 accumulate, 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:39.120 but not 00:19:39.120 --> 00:19:39.680 those who 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.140 live by 00:19:40.140 --> 00:19:40.740 faith in 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:41.140 God. 00:19:41.140 --> 00:19:43.900 Hebrews 00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:44.540 11.1 00:19:44.540 --> 00:19:44.780 kind of 00:19:44.780 --> 00:19:45.240 helps us 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:45.740 to understand 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.080 what this 00:19:46.080 --> 00:19:46.720 word faith 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.020 means. 00:19:47.120 --> 00:19:47.360 It says 00:19:47.360 --> 00:19:47.640 this, 00:19:47.940 --> 00:19:48.360 faith is 00:19:48.360 --> 00:19:49.120 confidence 00:19:49.120 --> 00:19:50.140 in what 00:19:50.140 --> 00:19:50.520 we hope 00:19:50.520 --> 00:19:50.820 for, 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:53.680 and assurance 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:54.680 about what 00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:55.160 we do 00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:55.759 not see. 00:19:58.259 --> 00:19:58.780 Everything 00:19:58.780 --> 00:19:59.440 in the 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:00.280 Christian life 00:20:00.280 --> 00:20:01.000 ultimately 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.820 boils down 00:20:01.820 --> 00:20:02.160 to this 00:20:02.160 --> 00:20:02.640 charge. 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:03.920 Live 00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:04.840 by 00:20:04.840 --> 00:20:05.840 faith. 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:06.480 And it 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:06.920 starts with 00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:07.560 our salvation, 00:20:07.660 --> 00:20:07.980 doesn't it? 00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:09.000 How can 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:09.640 sinful people 00:20:09.640 --> 00:20:10.000 be made 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:10.320 right with 00:20:10.319 --> 00:20:10.599 God? 00:20:11.619 --> 00:20:11.919 Well, 00:20:12.019 --> 00:20:12.579 we place 00:20:12.579 --> 00:20:13.399 our faith 00:20:13.399 --> 00:20:14.980 in Jesus' 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:15.579 perfect 00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:16.119 obedience 00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:16.759 for us, 00:20:17.639 --> 00:20:18.220 and death 00:20:18.220 --> 00:20:18.679 for our 00:20:18.679 --> 00:20:18.879 sin. 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:19.339 We live 00:20:19.339 --> 00:20:19.799 by faith 00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:20.079 in him. 00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:21.439 What's 00:20:21.439 --> 00:20:21.679 the key 00:20:21.679 --> 00:20:22.200 to patient 00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:22.819 endurance 00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:24.119 as we 00:20:24.119 --> 00:20:24.519 wait for 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:24.879 God's 00:20:24.879 --> 00:20:25.200 justice? 00:20:25.399 --> 00:20:25.519 Well, 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:26.039 we live 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:26.919 by faith 00:20:26.919 --> 00:20:27.859 in God's 00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.500 future 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:28.899 judgment. 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:30.960 What's 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:31.279 the key 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:31.779 to not 00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:32.399 giving up 00:20:32.399 --> 00:20:33.579 when we 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:33.980 don't 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:34.519 understand 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:35.119 what God's 00:20:35.119 --> 00:20:35.359 doing? 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:35.579 Well, 00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:36.679 we live 00:20:36.679 --> 00:20:37.319 by faith 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:37.960 in God's 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:38.419 perfect 00:20:38.419 --> 00:20:38.799 wisdom. 00:20:39.099 --> 00:20:39.279 Don't 00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:39.579 you see 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:39.819 how 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:40.519 our 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:41.019 whole 00:20:41.019 --> 00:20:41.579 life 00:20:41.579 --> 00:20:41.879 in 00:20:41.879 --> 00:20:42.379 Christ 00:20:42.379 --> 00:20:44.139 is 00:20:44.139 --> 00:20:44.460 lived 00:20:44.460 --> 00:20:44.740 by 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.379 faith 00:20:45.379 --> 00:20:47.159 from 00:20:47.159 --> 00:20:47.599 start 00:20:47.599 --> 00:20:47.839 to 00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:48.279 finish. 00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:51.899 But as 00:20:51.899 --> 00:20:52.539 we come 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:52.879 to the 00:20:52.879 --> 00:20:53.379 end, 00:20:54.379 --> 00:20:55.599 I want 00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:55.899 to leave 00:20:55.899 --> 00:20:56.200 you with 00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:56.359 an 00:20:56.359 --> 00:20:56.939 encouragement 00:20:56.939 --> 00:20:57.539 to 00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:58.240 continue 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:59.079 praying 00:20:59.079 --> 00:20:59.960 in the 00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:00.279 struggle 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:00.599 like 00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:01.079 Habakkuk 00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:01.379 did. 00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:02.159 And it 00:21:02.159 --> 00:21:02.559 goes back 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:02.919 to his 00:21:02.919 --> 00:21:03.720 very first 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:04.240 question. 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:04.419 Do you 00:21:04.419 --> 00:21:04.740 remember that 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:04.980 at the 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:05.220 start? 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:05.980 God, 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:06.980 are you 00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:08.000 even 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:09.000 listening? 00:21:11.160 --> 00:21:11.519 And in 00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:12.360 Revelation 5, 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:12.860 John 00:21:12.860 --> 00:21:14.299 sees right 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:14.740 into the 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:15.299 throne room 00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:15.759 of heaven. 00:21:17.140 --> 00:21:17.680 And this 00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:18.079 is what 00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:18.660 we see. 00:21:18.860 --> 00:21:19.160 You can 00:21:19.160 --> 00:21:19.799 read along 00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:20.180 on the 00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:20.480 screen. 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.240 Revelation 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:22.700 5, 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:22.980 8, 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.559 the four 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:24.160 creatures 00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:25.160 and the 00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:25.819 twenty-four 00:21:25.819 --> 00:21:26.240 elders 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:27.120 fell down 00:21:27.120 --> 00:21:27.700 before the 00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:27.980 lamb. 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:29.319 Each one 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:29.680 had a 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:29.960 harp. 00:21:31.640 --> 00:21:32.099 And they 00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:32.860 were holding 00:21:32.860 --> 00:21:34.000 golden 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:34.740 bowls 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.799 full of 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:36.259 incense, 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:38.220 which are 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:38.940 the prayers 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:40.759 of God's 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:41.579 people. 00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:43.140 This is 00:21:43.140 --> 00:21:43.500 amazing. 00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:46.240 Your prayers 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:46.860 and mine, 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:47.400 they don't 00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:48.299 float into 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:48.880 the abyss. 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:50.740 God is 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.299 never tuned 00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:51.640 out. 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:53.080 The image 00:21:53.080 --> 00:21:53.840 here is 00:21:53.840 --> 00:21:54.200 of God 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:55.020 collecting 00:21:55.020 --> 00:21:56.400 every one 00:21:56.400 --> 00:21:56.780 of your 00:21:56.780 --> 00:21:57.880 prayers in 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:59.200 these golden 00:21:59.200 --> 00:22:00.080 bowls. 00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:00.720 They are a 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:01.780 sweet-smelling 00:22:01.780 --> 00:22:03.200 incense to 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:03.400 him. 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:04.020 They delight 00:22:04.020 --> 00:22:04.320 him. 00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:05.880 He treasures 00:22:05.880 --> 00:22:07.200 every whisper 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:07.840 of yours, 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:10.320 every cry 00:22:10.320 --> 00:22:11.000 of desperation, 00:22:11.360 --> 00:22:12.460 every plea 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:13.320 for justice. 00:22:14.320 --> 00:22:15.420 God stores 00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:18.100 away every 00:22:18.100 --> 00:22:19.200 one of your 00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:19.720 prayers, 00:22:20.140 --> 00:22:20.580 prayed 00:22:20.580 --> 00:22:21.180 according 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:22.039 to his 00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:22.240 will. 00:22:22.340 --> 00:22:22.940 And why 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:23.480 is he 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:24.019 doing this? 00:22:24.120 --> 00:22:24.279 Well, 00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:25.880 I think it's 00:22:25.880 --> 00:22:26.360 worth us 00:22:26.360 --> 00:22:27.120 turning to 00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:27.640 Revelation 00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:29.240 together. 00:22:29.880 --> 00:22:30.400 Revelation 00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:31.680 chapter 8 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:33.140 verse 3. 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:33.420 We're going 00:22:33.420 --> 00:22:33.680 to see 00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:34.720 these golden 00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:36.880 bowls of 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:38.340 our prayers 00:22:38.340 --> 00:22:39.560 reappear here. 00:22:40.060 --> 00:22:40.400 This is 00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:40.940 Revelation 00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:42.500 chapter 8 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:44.820 verse 3. 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:45.220 It's on 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:45.500 page 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:48.319 1,239. 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:53.559 Revelation 00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:54.960 8 verse 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:55.299 3. 00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:55.680 I'm going 00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:55.900 to read 00:22:55.900 --> 00:22:57.539 down to 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.119 verse 5. 00:22:59.519 --> 00:22:59.839 Another 00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:01.240 angel who 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:01.619 had a 00:23:01.619 --> 00:23:02.619 golden censer 00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:03.619 came and 00:23:03.619 --> 00:23:04.380 stood at 00:23:04.380 --> 00:23:04.839 the altar. 00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:05.460 This is in 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:05.799 the throne 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:06.119 room of 00:23:06.119 --> 00:23:06.319 heaven. 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:07.819 He was 00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:08.460 given much 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.240 incense to 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:11.319 offer with 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:12.500 the prayers 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.819 of all 00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:14.259 God's 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:16.200 people on 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:16.759 the golden 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.420 altar in 00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:17.759 front of 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:18.180 the throne. 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:20.680 The smoke 00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.039 of the 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:21.859 incense together 00:23:21.859 --> 00:23:22.339 with the 00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:22.940 prayers of 00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:23.559 God's people 00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:24.240 went up 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:25.039 before God 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.359 from the 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:25.720 angel's 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:26.019 hand. 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:28.559 Then the 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:29.099 angel took 00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:29.700 the censer, 00:23:30.980 --> 00:23:31.319 filled it 00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:31.819 with fire 00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:32.200 from the 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:32.740 altar and 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.339 hurled it 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:33.680 on the 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:33.980 earth. 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.619 And there 00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:36.299 came peals 00:23:36.299 --> 00:23:36.880 of thunder, 00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:37.460 rumblings, 00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:38.140 flashes of 00:23:38.140 --> 00:23:38.700 lightning and 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.099 an earthquake. 00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:41.599 Now there's 00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:41.939 a lot of 00:23:41.939 --> 00:23:42.699 vivid imagery 00:23:42.699 --> 00:23:43.219 for us to 00:23:43.219 --> 00:23:43.619 take in 00:23:43.619 --> 00:23:44.000 here, but 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.879 just notice 00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:46.879 the prayers 00:23:46.879 --> 00:23:47.559 of God's 00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:50.119 people fuel 00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:50.919 the fire 00:23:50.919 --> 00:23:52.439 that is 00:23:52.439 --> 00:23:53.399 hurled onto 00:23:53.399 --> 00:23:53.919 the earth 00:23:53.919 --> 00:23:54.619 at the 00:23:54.619 --> 00:23:54.959 end of 00:23:54.959 --> 00:23:55.699 time. 00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:57.939 And that 00:23:57.939 --> 00:23:59.519 fire, we 00:23:59.519 --> 00:23:59.779 believe, 00:23:59.899 --> 00:24:01.179 represents God's 00:24:01.179 --> 00:24:02.359 coming judgment 00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:04.339 on all 00:24:04.339 --> 00:24:05.459 injustice 00:24:05.459 --> 00:24:07.500 and his 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:08.159 renewal 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:09.540 of the 00:24:09.540 --> 00:24:09.779 earth. 00:24:09.880 --> 00:24:10.440 One writer 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:11.300 says it 00:24:11.300 --> 00:24:11.680 like this, 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:11.900 you can 00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:12.400 follow along 00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:12.560 on the 00:24:12.560 --> 00:24:12.800 screen. 00:24:14.140 --> 00:24:15.080 The renewal 00:24:15.080 --> 00:24:15.600 of the 00:24:15.600 --> 00:24:15.960 world, 00:24:17.340 --> 00:24:17.759 heaven and 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.040 earth, 00:24:18.360 --> 00:24:19.019 restored as 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:19.340 one, 00:24:20.300 --> 00:24:20.720 begins 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:22.759 with God 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:24.200 pouring out 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:25.060 all the 00:24:25.060 --> 00:24:25.640 prayers of 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:26.200 his children 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:27.200 like a 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:28.360 purifying fire 00:24:28.360 --> 00:24:29.120 with one 00:24:29.120 --> 00:24:30.040 great 00:24:30.040 --> 00:24:30.980 resounding 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:32.420 yes. 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.600 I find that 00:24:34.600 --> 00:24:35.420 so encouraging. 00:24:35.820 --> 00:24:36.300 I hope you 00:24:36.300 --> 00:24:36.680 do too. 00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:38.100 the loved 00:24:38.100 --> 00:24:38.500 ones you 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:39.080 prayed for 00:24:39.080 --> 00:24:39.700 who never 00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:40.200 got better, 00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:41.920 the pain 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:42.200 that you 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:42.840 prayed against 00:24:42.840 --> 00:24:43.600 that never 00:24:43.600 --> 00:24:44.180 went away, 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.660 the injustice 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:46.539 you prayed 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:47.060 for that 00:24:47.060 --> 00:24:48.019 continued, 00:24:48.180 --> 00:24:48.720 unchecked, 00:24:48.900 --> 00:24:49.400 the peace 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:49.940 you prayed 00:24:49.940 --> 00:24:50.320 for which 00:24:50.320 --> 00:24:50.920 never came. 00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:51.820 God treasures 00:24:51.820 --> 00:24:52.560 all of those 00:24:52.560 --> 00:24:52.920 prayers. 00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:55.400 And on the 00:24:55.400 --> 00:24:56.019 last day, 00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:57.799 God will use 00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:58.640 every one of 00:24:58.640 --> 00:24:59.200 those prayers 00:24:59.200 --> 00:24:59.960 to begin 00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:01.019 his renewal 00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:01.820 of all things. 00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:02.620 Death will 00:25:02.620 --> 00:25:03.019 die, 00:25:03.640 --> 00:25:04.580 pain will end, 00:25:04.579 --> 00:25:05.500 injustice and 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:06.480 war will 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:07.019 cease. 00:25:07.139 --> 00:25:07.500 The answer 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:07.839 will be 00:25:07.839 --> 00:25:08.359 yes, 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:09.399 yes and 00:25:09.399 --> 00:25:09.879 yes. 00:25:11.159 --> 00:25:11.679 Your prayers 00:25:11.679 --> 00:25:12.379 are not 00:25:12.379 --> 00:25:13.339 wasted breath. 00:25:13.699 --> 00:25:14.019 They're not 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:14.379 ignored. 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:16.759 Both Habakkuk's 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.299 prayers and 00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:18.199 ours matter 00:25:18.199 --> 00:25:19.139 eternally. 00:25:20.899 --> 00:25:21.819 And God 00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:23.099 invites us 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:24.659 to pray 00:25:24.659 --> 00:25:26.220 in faith 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:27.859 as we 00:25:27.859 --> 00:25:28.539 patiently 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:29.679 wait for 00:25:29.679 --> 00:25:30.579 God to 00:25:30.579 --> 00:25:30.960 act. 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:34.140 so bring 00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:34.600 to him 00:25:34.600 --> 00:25:36.100 your honest 00:25:36.100 --> 00:25:36.720 questions 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.220 and your 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:37.519 doubts. 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:39.480 Lay them 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:40.079 before him. 00:25:41.860 --> 00:25:42.200 And when 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:42.740 his answers 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.240 just don't 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:43.779 make sense 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:44.240 to you, 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:45.980 stay in 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.539 the struggle 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:47.279 in prayer. 00:25:49.180 --> 00:25:49.720 Remember 00:25:49.720 --> 00:25:50.420 God's charge 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:50.799 to you 00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:51.279 today. 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:52.900 Live 00:25:52.900 --> 00:25:54.180 by faith 00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:55.440 in the 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:55.840 sovereign 00:25:55.840 --> 00:25:56.779 judge who 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.680 will right 00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:58.620 all wrongs 00:25:58.620 --> 00:25:59.360 and he will 00:25:59.360 --> 00:25:59.880 make all 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:00.440 things new. 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:02.120 Live by 00:26:02.120 --> 00:26:02.620 faith in 00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:03.259 the only 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:03.740 savior 00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:04.220 Jesus 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:05.240 whose 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:06.079 unjust 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:06.720 death 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:08.000 bought 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.340 your 00:26:08.340 --> 00:26:08.740 forgiveness. 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.779 Live by 00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:11.180 faith 00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:12.220 in the 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:12.860 wise 00:26:12.860 --> 00:26:14.200 loving 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:14.700 shepherd 00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:16.120 who leads 00:26:16.120 --> 00:26:16.420 you 00:26:16.420 --> 00:26:17.480 through the 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:17.880 valley of 00:26:17.880 --> 00:26:18.120 pain. 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:21.160 Let's 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:22.079 pray to 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:22.720 him now. 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:30.759 Lord, we 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:32.640 so desperately 00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:33.380 need your 00:26:33.380 --> 00:26:34.000 help with 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:34.380 this 00:26:34.380 --> 00:26:36.620 because we 00:26:36.620 --> 00:26:37.360 feel the 00:26:37.360 --> 00:26:38.600 sting of 00:26:38.600 --> 00:26:39.440 injustice and 00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:40.079 pain and we 00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:41.960 doubt your 00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:42.420 goodness. 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:44.019 Give us 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.700 faith 00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:47.420 to trust 00:26:47.420 --> 00:26:48.319 you when 00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:49.059 we can't 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:49.420 see you 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:49.720 moving. 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:52.880 oh Lord, 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.559 thank you 00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:54.740 that you 00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:55.500 treasure 00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:56.420 every 00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:57.660 prayer of 00:26:57.660 --> 00:26:58.059 ours. 00:26:59.620 --> 00:27:00.279 Give us 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:00.839 the grace 00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:02.640 to persevere 00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:03.339 in prayer 00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:04.720 and to 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:05.819 live by 00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:06.480 faith 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:07.779 in your 00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:08.460 promise 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:09.380 just like 00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:09.839 Habakkuk 00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:10.079 did. 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:13.379 we pray 00:27:13.379 --> 00:27:13.819 all of 00:27:13.819 --> 00:27:14.059 these 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:14.539 things 00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:16.179 for 00:27:16.179 --> 00:27:16.759 your 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:17.240 glory 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:18.099 and for 00:27:18.099 --> 00:27:18.339 our 00:27:18.339 --> 00:27:18.619 good. 00:27:19.879 --> 00:27:20.279 Amen. 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:20.419 Amen. 00:27:26.939 --> 00:27:27.539 We're going 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:27.939 to sing a 00:27:27.939 --> 00:27:28.299 song now.