WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.600 Trusting God in Troubled Times. 00:00:03.240 --> 00:00:06.719 This is the title of the sermon series we've been in, in the book of Habakkuk. 00:00:07.320 --> 00:00:11.599 And we want to, we're going to wrap it up today. 00:00:11.839 --> 00:00:14.620 Matt Saracen, your answer, your wish is going to be fulfilled. 00:00:14.740 --> 00:00:16.960 Next week we're going to begin a series in the book of Revelation. 00:00:17.519 --> 00:00:20.400 So if you want to read ahead, that's what we're doing. 00:00:21.199 --> 00:00:24.859 We'll be looking at the first couple of chapters between now and the end of the year. 00:00:24.859 --> 00:00:32.679 And then we'll come back in January and do the bulk of the book after January, or after Christmas. 00:00:33.079 --> 00:00:39.980 So, but as we wrap up Habakkuk, trusting God in troubled times. 00:00:40.600 --> 00:00:42.899 And if you haven't been here before, I just want to recap. 00:00:43.019 --> 00:00:47.579 The troubled times that Habakkuk was facing were pretty dire, right? 00:00:47.579 --> 00:00:53.899 First, the unrighteous were wreaking havoc in God's own people, their own leadership. 00:00:53.899 --> 00:00:57.339 was corrupt and was oppressing people. 00:00:57.859 --> 00:01:01.239 And so Habakkuk begins the book by crying out to God, 00:01:01.339 --> 00:01:02.600 God, please do something. 00:01:03.039 --> 00:01:03.899 Please act. 00:01:04.560 --> 00:01:05.120 Respond. 00:01:05.299 --> 00:01:07.239 Bring your righteousness to bear on this. 00:01:07.280 --> 00:01:08.519 And God says, I will. 00:01:09.019 --> 00:01:11.840 But it's going to be harsh. 00:01:12.060 --> 00:01:13.879 It's going to be pretty severe. 00:01:15.239 --> 00:01:17.640 This unrighteousness won't last forever. 00:01:17.640 --> 00:01:20.960 I'm going to bring Babylon to bring judgment on the people. 00:01:20.959 --> 00:01:25.719 And so then the second part of Habakkuk is him saying, okay, that's good. 00:01:25.919 --> 00:01:33.299 But God, how can you use an unrighteous instrument like Babylon to judge your own people? 00:01:33.299 --> 00:01:35.179 This doesn't make any sense. 00:01:35.619 --> 00:01:41.280 And God responds by saying, though it might look like they're winning now, they won't win forever. 00:01:42.259 --> 00:01:45.239 Unrighteousness will not win in any case. 00:01:45.239 --> 00:01:49.199 I am a just God, and I will respond to evil. 00:01:50.899 --> 00:01:53.780 And the righteous shall live by faith. 00:01:54.079 --> 00:01:58.319 And that's what Pastor Nick talked to us last week about. 00:01:59.459 --> 00:02:05.479 And before we go on and look at Habakkuk 3, I just want to stop and think about the troubles. 00:02:06.119 --> 00:02:10.919 I don't know what kind of troubled times you may be facing this morning. 00:02:10.919 --> 00:02:15.780 My guess is they're feeling fairly unlike the ones that Habakkuk used. 00:02:15.899 --> 00:02:16.539 Maybe not. 00:02:17.679 --> 00:02:21.759 Certainly we have faced our own share of troubles in this day. 00:02:22.519 --> 00:02:23.560 I don't even need to list them. 00:02:23.659 --> 00:02:32.959 Pandemic, social strife and unrest, wars in the world, political conflict, racism, sex trafficking, opium crisis, economic uncertainty, and more and more and more. 00:02:33.039 --> 00:02:34.539 And that's on the global scale. 00:02:34.539 --> 00:02:42.139 And then on a personal scale, as I look around the room, I know many of you have had your own troubled times. 00:02:42.799 --> 00:02:55.139 Whether they be health crises, relational breakdowns, loss of security, various kinds, jobs, money, hopes and dreams dashed. 00:02:55.439 --> 00:02:57.859 You've had your own troubled times. 00:02:58.799 --> 00:03:00.299 How do we face those? 00:03:00.300 --> 00:03:05.480 This is what Habakkuk 3 tells us. 00:03:05.880 --> 00:03:08.160 How do we face these troubled times? 00:03:08.900 --> 00:03:10.800 And in it, there is a beautiful expression. 00:03:10.960 --> 00:03:15.280 You'll see when we get to verse 18, it's a verse you've heard many times. 00:03:15.980 --> 00:03:27.840 But my hope is that you'll see it in the context of the whole book of Habakkuk to see how precious and beautiful it is as he expresses trust in God in the midst of troubled times. 00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:35.860 So, if you want to turn with me to the book of Habakkuk, in the Pew Bibles, it's page 738 is where we're going to be. 00:03:35.939 --> 00:03:39.300 We're going to be looking at Habakkuk chapter 3 today. 00:03:39.759 --> 00:03:43.740 So, I need to find it as well. 00:03:43.759 --> 00:03:44.379 There it is. 00:03:44.599 --> 00:03:44.819 Okay. 00:03:45.780 --> 00:03:47.099 Habakkuk chapter 3. 00:03:47.199 --> 00:03:50.599 We're going to read and then we're going to pray and then we'll look at it for a few minutes together. 00:03:50.599 --> 00:03:57.599 A prayer of Habakkuk, the prophet, according to Shigionath. 00:03:57.599 --> 00:04:04.900 O Lord, I have heard the report of you and your work, O Lord, do I fear. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:08.259 In the midst of the years, revive it. 00:04:08.519 --> 00:04:10.359 In the midst of the years, make it known. 00:04:10.479 --> 00:04:11.900 In wrath, remember mercy. 00:04:13.719 --> 00:04:17.680 God came from Teman and the Holy One from Mount Paran. 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:24.339 His splendor covered the heavens and the earth was full of his praise. 00:04:24.339 --> 00:04:30.899 His brightness was like the light, rays flashed from his hand and there he veiled his power. 00:04:32.159 --> 00:04:35.399 Before him went pestilence and plague followed at his heels. 00:04:35.699 --> 00:04:37.339 He stood and measured the earth. 00:04:37.679 --> 00:04:39.319 He looked and shook the nations. 00:04:39.879 --> 00:04:41.859 Then the eternal mountains were scattered. 00:04:42.459 --> 00:04:44.459 The everlasting hills sank low. 00:04:45.459 --> 00:04:47.439 His were the everlasting ways. 00:04:48.299 --> 00:04:51.419 I saw the tents of Kushan in affliction. 00:04:51.420 --> 00:04:54.819 The curtains of the land of Midian did tremble. 00:04:55.660 --> 00:04:58.140 Was your wrath against the rivers, O Lord? 00:04:58.640 --> 00:05:06.540 Was your anger against the rivers or your indignation against the sea when you rode on your horses or your chariots of salvation? 00:05:07.420 --> 00:05:11.220 You stripped the sheath from your bow, calling for many arrows. 00:05:11.540 --> 00:05:14.040 You split the earth with rivers. 00:05:15.060 --> 00:05:17.420 The mountains saw you and writhed. 00:05:18.340 --> 00:05:20.139 The raging waters swept on. 00:05:20.139 --> 00:05:23.079 The deep gave forth its voice. 00:05:23.219 --> 00:05:25.159 It lifted its hands on high. 00:05:25.659 --> 00:05:30.560 The sun and moon stood still in their place at the light of your arrows as they sped, 00:05:30.759 --> 00:05:33.060 at the flash of your glittering spear. 00:05:34.039 --> 00:05:36.219 You marched through the earth in fury. 00:05:36.399 --> 00:05:38.399 You threshed the nations in anger. 00:05:39.360 --> 00:05:43.779 You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. 00:05:43.779 --> 00:05:50.599 You crushed the head of the house of the wicked, laying him bare from thigh to neck. 00:05:51.859 --> 00:05:58.159 You pierced with his own arrows the head of his warriors, who came like a whirlwind to scatter me. 00:05:59.279 --> 00:06:08.419 Rejoicing as if to devour the poor in secret, you trampled the sea with your horses, the surging of mighty waters. 00:06:08.420 --> 00:06:13.560 I hear and my body trembles. 00:06:13.560 --> 00:06:16.660 My lips quiver at the sound. 00:06:17.079 --> 00:06:18.899 Rottenness enters into my bones. 00:06:19.019 --> 00:06:20.600 My legs tremble beneath me. 00:06:21.500 --> 00:06:27.439 Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us. 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:38.639 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail, and the fields yield no food. 00:06:38.959 --> 00:06:43.279 The flocks be cut off from the field, and there be no herd in the stalls. 00:06:44.540 --> 00:06:48.220 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord. 00:06:48.620 --> 00:06:52.139 I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 00:06:52.779 --> 00:06:54.519 God, the Lord, is my strength. 00:06:54.519 --> 00:06:57.159 He makes my feet like the deer's. 00:06:57.439 --> 00:07:01.899 He makes me to tread on my high places. 00:07:03.899 --> 00:07:06.500 This is to the choir master with stringed instruments. 00:07:07.000 --> 00:07:08.000 Let's pray together. 00:07:08.779 --> 00:07:10.399 God, we thank you for this word. 00:07:11.439 --> 00:07:18.819 We thank you that you have spoken in various times, in various ways, Lord, through history, through people. 00:07:18.819 --> 00:07:29.339 And yet, Lord, in all of these things, you present a consistent witness of who you are and what you are doing in this world, so that we might know you. 00:07:29.339 --> 00:07:38.399 So we might not have to grasp or imagine or conjecture, but so that we might be able to read your word and know the kind of God you are. 00:07:38.399 --> 00:07:42.439 Lord, be with us this morning as we read through this. 00:07:42.439 --> 00:07:45.500 We pray that you will help us to understand it. 00:07:46.120 --> 00:07:48.459 Lord, give us clarity of thought. 00:07:48.959 --> 00:07:51.159 Give us tenderness of heart. 00:07:51.819 --> 00:07:55.899 Lord, give us willingness of spirit to receive your word. 00:07:56.519 --> 00:08:00.699 Lord, I ask for your help that you would help me this morning to speak your word as I ought. 00:08:00.699 --> 00:08:03.199 Lord, we pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:08:04.199 --> 00:08:04.459 Amen. 00:08:06.939 --> 00:08:08.659 So we've talked about troubled times. 00:08:09.620 --> 00:08:14.099 And what I want to present to you this morning is this hypothesis or this. 00:08:14.659 --> 00:08:16.099 This is my thesis today. 00:08:16.719 --> 00:08:21.919 That knowing God is the most important thing as you face troubled times. 00:08:23.180 --> 00:08:27.360 Knowing God is the most important thing facing troubled times. 00:08:27.360 --> 00:08:30.000 I think this is what Habakkuk wants us to see. 00:08:30.699 --> 00:08:34.679 So as we're going to look at this, the passage breaks down into kind of two sections. 00:08:34.819 --> 00:08:37.919 The first is, what did Habakkuk know about God? 00:08:37.980 --> 00:08:42.819 And then secondly, how did Habakkuk respond in light of what he knew about God? 00:08:43.019 --> 00:08:46.319 How is it that his knowledge of God helped him in troubled times? 00:08:46.899 --> 00:08:50.519 So this is what we're going to look at this morning, if you're taking your notes. 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:54.439 So our first point then, what did Habakkuk know about God? 00:08:54.439 --> 00:08:56.519 This is the first 15 chapters of this. 00:08:57.000 --> 00:08:58.860 And we just want to note at the very beginning, 00:08:58.860 --> 00:09:01.820 this chapter is unlike the other two. 00:09:01.919 --> 00:09:04.700 The other two felt like prophetic oracles. 00:09:04.879 --> 00:09:07.720 It was a conversation between Habakkuk and God. 00:09:08.019 --> 00:09:10.879 Then we get to this one and suddenly the form changes. 00:09:11.019 --> 00:09:13.639 This actually feels and looks like a psalm. 00:09:14.340 --> 00:09:15.200 And in fact, it's not. 00:09:15.460 --> 00:09:17.899 And it says in verse 1 that it's a prayer, 00:09:18.399 --> 00:09:21.399 that this is a prayer of Habakkuk to God, 00:09:21.500 --> 00:09:25.200 responding to what he's heard and seen in the first two chapters. 00:09:25.200 --> 00:09:29.220 It's also a song because you see the musical notations, 00:09:29.340 --> 00:09:30.660 you see the final comment. 00:09:32.200 --> 00:09:39.220 So we want to think about this as a response that Habakkuk is embodying himself personally 00:09:39.220 --> 00:09:42.860 and helping us to embody as well. 00:09:43.700 --> 00:09:46.320 So what does he know about God? 00:09:46.440 --> 00:09:48.240 Verse 2 says, 00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:52.720 I have heard the report and your work, O Lord, do I fear. 00:09:53.360 --> 00:09:57.440 Now he does not then expound specifically on this, 00:09:57.500 --> 00:09:59.139 but I just want to remind us, 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:03.539 what is the report that Habakkuk would know of the works of God in the world? 00:10:03.700 --> 00:10:07.440 If he went back and he read the books of Moses, 00:10:07.440 --> 00:10:09.379 if he went back and he looked at the stories, 00:10:09.480 --> 00:10:10.340 what would he remember? 00:10:10.580 --> 00:10:12.139 He would remember things like, 00:10:12.139 --> 00:10:18.519 God is a God who has delivered his people from slavery to a greater nation, Egypt. 00:10:18.899 --> 00:10:23.120 God worked powerfully through plagues and through parting the Red Sea 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:27.360 and overcoming armies greater than they could have defeated on their own 00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:31.919 in order to deliver and to save his people from that slavery. 00:10:32.399 --> 00:10:34.240 And then he led them through the wilderness. 00:10:34.439 --> 00:10:36.779 And in that wilderness, he revealed himself. 00:10:36.879 --> 00:10:40.019 Remember, he revealed himself on Mount Sinai. 00:10:40.019 --> 00:10:45.559 And he came with thunder and lightning and trembling and earthquakes on the mountain 00:10:45.559 --> 00:10:51.819 as he revealed himself to Moses and gave the Ten Commandments and much more of the law. 00:10:53.179 --> 00:10:54.960 Remember, during that time as well, 00:10:55.220 --> 00:10:59.199 he defeated the enemies that sought to block God's people, 00:10:59.319 --> 00:11:01.919 the kings of Sihon and Og, if you remember these. 00:11:02.539 --> 00:11:06.319 But then he also judged his own people when they failed him, 00:11:06.379 --> 00:11:09.079 whether it be the golden calf at the foot of Mount Sinai 00:11:09.080 --> 00:11:16.000 or whether it be other times when they grumbled and complained and said, 00:11:16.060 --> 00:11:17.280 God, you're not going to provide. 00:11:17.620 --> 00:11:21.160 And he brought judgment to purify them and to help them see 00:11:21.160 --> 00:11:24.960 that they were, that he was a God who was going to care for them. 00:11:25.520 --> 00:11:29.320 And then finally, we would know that Habakkuk would remember 00:11:29.320 --> 00:11:31.800 that at the end of the wandering in the wilderness, 00:11:32.040 --> 00:11:35.259 then God brought them up into the promised land. 00:11:35.259 --> 00:11:42.939 He literally stopped the Jordan River so that the million of people plus could cross the Jordan River 00:11:42.939 --> 00:11:44.879 into the promised land. 00:11:45.220 --> 00:11:48.980 And then he gave them favor and power to overcome the enemies, 00:11:49.179 --> 00:11:51.019 sometimes through military might, 00:11:51.139 --> 00:11:58.480 but more often through miraculous ways where God showed his power to defeat the enemies of God's people. 00:11:58.480 --> 00:12:06.700 And through all of this story, Habakkuk would remember that the God that he knows is a God 00:12:06.700 --> 00:12:11.740 who triumphs over his enemies and who has power over creation. 00:12:12.519 --> 00:12:16.220 And this is what Habakkuk 3 through 15 shows us. 00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:17.399 Look with me at it. 00:12:18.680 --> 00:12:22.539 It talks about how he is triumphing over his enemies. 00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:24.399 There are historical references. 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:27.980 Timon and Mount Paran are on the Sinai Peninsula. 00:12:28.459 --> 00:12:34.819 The tents of Cushion and Midian are people who lived in the Arabic countries to the southeast of Israel. 00:12:34.919 --> 00:12:42.759 And these were people who God's, Israel had to go through on their way to the promised land. 00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:46.959 So he's reminding them, I have brought you victory over these things. 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:53.019 And then as Habakkuk continues to talk about God, he talks about them in military images. 00:12:53.660 --> 00:12:58.480 These pictures of power and might riding on chariots and horses, trampling them, 00:12:58.879 --> 00:13:02.460 unsheathing bows and arrows and piercing them with arrows. 00:13:02.680 --> 00:13:06.100 He uses his image in verse 12 of threshing the nations. 00:13:07.040 --> 00:13:09.960 Now, I don't know, has anyone ever seen threshing actually happen? 00:13:10.600 --> 00:13:12.639 Yeah, Scott has. 00:13:13.200 --> 00:13:14.900 So it doesn't happen very often. 00:13:14.899 --> 00:13:19.959 Threshing is when you gather sheaves of grain and you put them on a hard surface. 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:24.879 And then those sheaves of grain are beaten in various ways, right? 00:13:24.959 --> 00:13:32.959 And it might be with a hard stick or it might be oxen dragging these humongous blocks that are weighty. 00:13:33.079 --> 00:13:36.620 And they just roll this stuff over these sheaves of grain. 00:13:36.620 --> 00:13:42.980 And the purpose is to break down and separate out the good from the bad. 00:13:43.539 --> 00:13:46.200 The stalks, the husks, all those things. 00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:50.759 Maybe they have other uses, but what's really wanted in the grain is the kernel. 00:13:51.340 --> 00:13:55.840 And so the threshing separates these things out. 00:13:57.259 --> 00:14:00.720 And Habakkuk remembers, God has done this with his enemies. 00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:03.720 God has done this with the peoples of the earth. 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:16.720 He is going to bring this judgment and power to separate out, to sort out God's people from those who would oppose him. 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:22.680 In all these things, God shows his power over his unrighteous opponents. 00:14:23.040 --> 00:14:25.080 But he doesn't just say that in this section. 00:14:25.340 --> 00:14:29.259 He also talks about his power over natural forces. 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:35.139 Verse 3 is this picture of his radiance, which is like the sun and the moon. 00:14:35.660 --> 00:14:38.259 Verse 4 talks about brightness was his power. 00:14:38.259 --> 00:14:44.939 As you keep going through the two immovable powers in the ancient world. 00:14:45.100 --> 00:14:49.720 And even today, if you think about it, the mountains and the water, right? 00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:53.799 We've learned a lot about how water is unstoppable. 00:14:54.179 --> 00:14:56.980 When it rains too much, floods happen. 00:14:57.200 --> 00:15:02.740 When the hurricanes blow the sea onto the shore, there is nothing that stops these powers. 00:15:02.740 --> 00:15:07.039 And yet, what it says here is these things are laid low. 00:15:07.399 --> 00:15:12.960 The eternal mountains are laid low by the coming of God, making a way for his people. 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:19.200 The rivers and the seas that he showed his power over, he trampled them with their horses. 00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:21.180 It says, verse 10 says, 00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:26.539 The mountains writhed and the raging waters convulsed at the coming of God. 00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:34.339 Now, what you may not think about is that in the world that Habakkuk lived, 00:15:35.139 --> 00:15:38.779 those around him, the Canaanites, the Babylonians, 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:42.779 they all had gods connected to these earthly features. 00:15:44.219 --> 00:15:47.559 And they would worship these gods, and they would try to appease these gods 00:15:47.559 --> 00:15:51.240 so that the mountain might not fall on them, or so that the floods might not come, 00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:52.839 or so that the rain would fall. 00:15:52.840 --> 00:16:00.700 And all of Habakkuk's imagery is to remind Habakkuk and his people 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:05.879 that God is a God who is above all other gods. 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:09.940 All of these small G gods, the God of the river, and the God of the sea, 00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:13.660 and the God of the mountain, the God of the harvest, whatever it is, 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:16.780 they are nothing compared to the God of the Bible 00:16:16.779 --> 00:16:20.379 who says, I have power over all of these things, 00:16:20.459 --> 00:16:23.500 and they quake in my presence. 00:16:25.699 --> 00:16:29.779 Nations threaten you, I will defeat them. 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:34.159 Nations that exile you, I will overcome them. 00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:37.639 The forces that you think are beyond your control, 00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:39.899 they are beyond your control, 00:16:40.339 --> 00:16:42.759 but I will control them. 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:44.740 I will hold them. 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:48.639 And God comes in the midst of it, 00:16:48.659 --> 00:16:51.299 and he reminds them in verse 8 and verse 13 00:16:51.299 --> 00:16:56.500 that he is the God who is able to deliver his people from these threats. 00:16:57.919 --> 00:17:00.980 He is able to save them for his glory. 00:17:05.339 --> 00:17:06.279 Friends, I wonder, 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:11.119 do you believe what Habakkuk has seen about God? 00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:16.220 Do you believe that God actually has power 00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:20.039 over the greatest enemy that you face in your life today? 00:17:21.139 --> 00:17:24.700 Whether it be the external forces of society, 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:28.099 whether it be individual people who actually hate you 00:17:28.099 --> 00:17:29.740 or oppose you for your faith, 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:35.220 whether it be the forces of unrighteousness in your own heart, 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:40.180 do you believe that God is greater than these things? 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:44.360 Do you believe that when trouble comes upon you, 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:48.160 that God is not out of control or unable, 00:17:48.640 --> 00:17:52.640 but that he is still a God who is strong enough 00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:55.160 to do all of these things? 00:18:01.160 --> 00:18:03.600 Friends, here's the amazing thing about Habakkuk. 00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:07.139 He knew these things from Revelation that God gave him. 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:11.480 He knew these things from the history of what God had done in Israel. 00:18:12.619 --> 00:18:15.519 But we as a church sit on the other side 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:20.639 of the greatest victory in all of human history. 00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:24.399 Because the Son of God took on human flesh 00:18:24.399 --> 00:18:26.619 and entered into this broken world 00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:31.579 so that he might ultimately be the true deliverer 00:18:31.579 --> 00:18:33.439 from our greatest enemies, 00:18:33.439 --> 00:18:36.399 which are not the forces of society, 00:18:36.639 --> 00:18:39.259 but are ultimately sin and death. 00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:43.299 And Jesus came and he went to the cross. 00:18:43.459 --> 00:18:45.539 And do you remember what the gospel writers say 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:46.939 about what happened at the cross? 00:18:47.139 --> 00:18:49.979 When Jesus died, the earth quaked 00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:51.900 and the sky went dark. 00:18:53.120 --> 00:18:58.460 Even the creation convulsed at this work of victory. 00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:01.700 Because it wasn't just that Jesus died, 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:04.620 but then that he rose again from the dead 00:19:04.620 --> 00:19:08.500 to show that he had power over sin and death. 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:12.099 So that we might say as Christians, 00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:14.259 there is no weapon formed against us. 00:19:14.319 --> 00:19:15.420 There is no enemy. 00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:18.400 There is no power in our world 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:26.500 that can overcome God, our Savior. 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:29.420 He has overcome them for us, 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:31.720 ultimately, truly, fully. 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:35.800 Jesus comes to us today and he says, 00:19:36.360 --> 00:19:38.480 I am the victorious one. 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:41.519 When you join with me by faith, 00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:44.420 remember that in the resurrection, 00:19:44.420 --> 00:19:47.340 the victory is already won. 00:19:48.120 --> 00:19:49.620 And friends, isn't this exciting? 00:19:49.840 --> 00:19:51.580 We're going to preach on revelation. 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:53.279 And by next spring, 00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:55.279 you're going to be so amazed 00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:58.580 at how many ways God is reminding us 00:19:58.580 --> 00:20:00.060 that at the end, 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:03.880 his kingdom will be forever. 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:05.500 What we just sang, 00:20:06.340 --> 00:20:08.259 that God's kingdom will be the one 00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:11.000 that will stand when all other things fall. 00:20:11.340 --> 00:20:13.539 He will bring righteousness and judgment 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:15.480 and justice to the world 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:18.339 and he will save his people 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:21.460 to be with him in his kingdom forever. 00:20:22.659 --> 00:20:24.819 And this is the God we need to see 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:26.059 in times of trouble. 00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:28.779 This is the God that Habakkuk saw 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:30.899 in the sixth century BC. 00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:34.000 And when he saw him, 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:35.299 he responded. 00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:36.920 And this is what the second half 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:38.839 of this passage shows us. 00:20:38.839 --> 00:20:43.059 How did Habakkuk respond to trouble 00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:44.740 in light of what he knew about God? 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:46.819 Well, I think there are three things. 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:48.059 There are actually six, 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:50.199 but I'm going to try to combine them 00:20:50.199 --> 00:20:53.740 because this is an incredibly rich passage. 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:56.519 And verse two has tons of stuff 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:58.159 that I'm kind of just skipping over. 00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:59.459 I'm just going to admit that. 00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:00.439 Come talk to me afterwards 00:21:00.439 --> 00:21:01.319 if you want to talk about it. 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:04.779 Three ways in which Habakkuk responded 00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:07.139 in light of what he knew about God. 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:10.059 First, verse 16. 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:13.200 I hear and my body trembles. 00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:15.259 My lips quiver at the sound. 00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:17.220 Rottenness enters into my bones. 00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:19.859 My legs tremble beneath me. 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:20.940 Have you ever been 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:23.019 in the presence of a power 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:24.019 that's so great 00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:25.639 that it literally makes you 00:21:25.639 --> 00:21:26.680 quiver and shake? 00:21:27.639 --> 00:21:29.359 The closest thing I can think of 00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:30.480 is a natural power. 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:32.299 If you ever go to Niagara Falls, 00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:35.000 I highly recommend taking the opportunity 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:36.059 to go down 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:38.099 because when you see it from the top, 00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:38.980 it's really cool. 00:21:39.139 --> 00:21:39.659 It's beautiful. 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:41.079 You go to the bottom 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:43.299 and you feel the power. 00:21:44.039 --> 00:21:46.299 The whole ground shakes 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:48.379 because of the volume of water 00:21:48.379 --> 00:21:50.379 that's falling in Niagara Falls. 00:21:50.879 --> 00:21:52.539 And it's amazing. 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:53.859 So don't miss that. 00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:55.059 Either on the Canadian side 00:21:55.059 --> 00:21:56.119 or on the American side. 00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:57.220 You can both do it. 00:21:57.299 --> 00:21:58.500 Do it on either side. 00:21:59.220 --> 00:22:00.919 It's wonderful, right? 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:03.600 This is what Habakkuk is saying. 00:22:03.800 --> 00:22:05.600 When I see God this way, 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:08.580 I realize I'm so small 00:22:08.580 --> 00:22:09.460 and he's great 00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:10.660 and I tremble. 00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:12.860 But that trembling 00:22:12.860 --> 00:22:16.300 is not a subservient, 00:22:16.560 --> 00:22:19.640 abject horror of God, 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:22.140 but it is a recognition 00:22:22.140 --> 00:22:24.400 and an awe of a power 00:22:24.400 --> 00:22:25.840 much greater than him. 00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:27.480 And because of that, 00:22:27.560 --> 00:22:28.759 then he says at the end 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:29.559 of verse 16, 00:22:30.099 --> 00:22:32.759 yet I will quietly wait, 00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:35.859 wait to see God 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:37.019 do what he's going to do. 00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:38.480 And friends, 00:22:38.599 --> 00:22:40.379 this is one of the hardest things 00:22:40.379 --> 00:22:41.700 about this, isn't it? 00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:43.619 Because we love a picture 00:22:43.619 --> 00:22:44.539 of a big God 00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:45.400 who's going to come 00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:46.119 and trample over 00:22:46.119 --> 00:22:47.059 all the enemies and win. 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:48.420 We want to be there. 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.539 But we want, you know, 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:50.319 if you're a baseball fan, 00:22:50.359 --> 00:22:50.599 you're like, 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.640 but I want to be there 00:22:51.640 --> 00:22:52.259 in October. 00:22:52.680 --> 00:22:53.879 I want to be there, 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:55.379 you know, next month 00:22:55.379 --> 00:22:57.000 when I can see the victory 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.960 and the championship. 00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:00.460 But Habakkuk says, 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:02.000 no, we have to wait. 00:23:03.640 --> 00:23:05.359 We have to wait for God 00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:07.299 in his sovereignty 00:23:07.299 --> 00:23:09.119 and his timing 00:23:09.119 --> 00:23:12.400 to bring what we long for. 00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:14.599 And friends, 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:16.859 we need to recognize 00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:18.339 that God doesn't work 00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:19.559 on our time. 00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:22.900 He doesn't come 00:23:22.900 --> 00:23:24.099 and rescue us 00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:25.919 from our circumstances 00:23:25.919 --> 00:23:27.779 when we want him to 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:28.819 sometimes, does he? 00:23:29.919 --> 00:23:31.019 He doesn't act 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:32.659 to change or remove 00:23:32.659 --> 00:23:35.659 those who oppose us 00:23:35.659 --> 00:23:36.639 in our faith. 00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:40.980 We need to recognize 00:23:40.980 --> 00:23:42.859 that we can wait. 00:23:44.139 --> 00:23:45.259 Partly because 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:47.159 Romans 5, 6 says this, 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:49.219 for while we were still weak, 00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:50.939 at the right time, 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:52.719 Christ died 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:53.940 for the ungodly. 00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:57.579 If God has all power 00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:59.700 to do all these things, 00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:01.640 can we trust him 00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:03.980 that his timing 00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:06.200 is going to be right? 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:09.579 Can we wait, 00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:11.460 not with resignation, 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:13.120 not with despair, 00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:15.700 but with hope 00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:17.500 and confidence 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:18.940 and steadfastness 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:20.700 that God will do it? 00:24:20.700 --> 00:24:24.640 So Habakkuk challenges this. 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:26.180 And it's kind of, 00:24:26.340 --> 00:24:27.779 it's remarkable 00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:28.860 because he goes on 00:24:28.860 --> 00:24:29.860 in verse 17, 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:30.860 right? 00:24:31.120 --> 00:24:33.019 And verse 17 says, 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:36.259 I will do this 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.420 even when I don't 00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:38.519 see you at work. 00:24:39.400 --> 00:24:41.240 I don't see you providing, 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:41.700 right? 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.539 Though the fig tree 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.420 should not blossom, 00:24:43.580 --> 00:24:45.140 no fruit beyond the vines, 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:47.279 the produce of the olive 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:48.380 fail in the fields, 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.460 yield no food, 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.680 the flocks be cut off 00:24:50.680 --> 00:24:51.340 from the fields 00:24:51.340 --> 00:24:52.759 and there be no herd 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.600 in the stall. 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:56.019 Remember what Habakkuk saw. 00:24:56.860 --> 00:24:58.140 He saw God 00:24:58.140 --> 00:24:59.400 and his promises, 00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:00.920 but did he ever see 00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:01.860 the fulfillment of it? 00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:03.140 Well, he saw Babylon, 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:04.220 we think, 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:05.059 probably. 00:25:05.319 --> 00:25:06.940 He saw Babylon come 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:08.940 and bring judgment 00:25:08.940 --> 00:25:09.559 on Judah. 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:12.460 But it is extremely unlikely 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:14.579 that Habakkuk lived 00:25:14.579 --> 00:25:15.340 long enough 00:25:15.340 --> 00:25:16.319 to see the fall 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:17.519 of the Babylonian Empire 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:19.599 70 years after that. 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:23.159 Habakkuk never saw 00:25:23.159 --> 00:25:23.839 the victory. 00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:25.200 He never saw 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:26.039 the restoration. 00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:27.720 He never saw 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:29.159 God bringing back 00:25:29.159 --> 00:25:30.319 his people from exile 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:31.000 and the rebuilding 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:31.700 of the temple, 00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:35.000 let alone seeing Jesus, 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.220 the Son of God, 00:25:36.339 --> 00:25:37.939 come and defeat 00:25:37.939 --> 00:25:38.759 sin and death 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:39.500 on the cross 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:40.460 and in the resurrection. 00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:46.180 Can we wait? 00:25:51.360 --> 00:25:52.840 But we don't just wait 00:25:52.840 --> 00:25:54.579 because verse 18 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:56.440 tells us 00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:57.500 the second, 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:58.420 yet I will. 00:25:59.000 --> 00:25:59.559 The first, 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.420 yet I will, 00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:02.340 in spite of what I see, 00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:04.039 yet I will wait. 00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:04.940 The second one is, 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:07.480 yet I will rejoice. 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:09.940 I will rejoice. 00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:13.960 And we need to do this carefully. 00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:16.559 I don't have to rejoice 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.839 in my suffering. 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:19.400 I don't have to rejoice 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:20.660 in my enemy. 00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:22.099 I don't have to say 00:26:22.099 --> 00:26:23.500 cancer is good. 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:24.620 I don't have to say 00:26:24.620 --> 00:26:27.000 this war is a blessing. 00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:28.440 We can say, 00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:29.539 no, this is evil. 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:30.839 These are bad things. 00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:32.120 These are contrary. 00:26:32.599 --> 00:26:33.360 These are forces 00:26:33.360 --> 00:26:34.599 that run against 00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:35.740 God and his kingdom. 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:39.460 But Habakkuk says, 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.680 yet I will rejoice 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:42.220 in the Lord. 00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:44.019 The Lord with, 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:45.339 if you look in the ESV, 00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:45.900 it's all those 00:26:45.900 --> 00:26:46.920 little capitals, right? 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:48.200 The Lord Yahweh. 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:49.279 The Lord who is 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:51.000 the covenant-keeping God. 00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:52.759 The Lord who revealed 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.880 himself to Moses 00:26:53.880 --> 00:26:54.579 and delivered 00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:55.440 his people then. 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:57.460 Yet I will rejoice 00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:58.240 in the Lord. 00:26:58.359 --> 00:26:59.579 I will take joy 00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:00.480 in the God 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:01.559 of my salvation. 00:27:03.099 --> 00:27:04.519 When we're in the middle 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:05.720 of troubled time, 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:08.819 Habakkuk points us 00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:10.740 not to look at our troubles, 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:12.339 but to look at the God 00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:13.120 who is over 00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:14.220 all these things. 00:27:18.420 --> 00:27:19.420 There's an old, 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.980 old worship song. 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:21.620 Some of you 00:27:21.620 --> 00:27:22.440 who are over 40 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:23.279 may remember it. 00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.720 God is too wise 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.579 to be mistaken. 00:27:26.640 --> 00:27:27.660 God is too good 00:27:27.660 --> 00:27:28.680 to be unkind. 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:31.380 So when you don't understand, 00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:32.759 when you don't see 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.480 his plan, 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:35.140 when you can't trace 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:35.900 his hand, 00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:37.680 trust his heart. 00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:42.720 Rejoice 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:45.000 that there is a God 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:45.860 in heaven 00:27:45.860 --> 00:27:48.559 who has all power 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:50.240 to make things right. 00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:53.839 Rejoice that he has done 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:55.720 the most amazing thing 00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:57.680 in sending in love 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:59.220 his own son 00:27:59.220 --> 00:28:00.539 to die 00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:02.860 not only for the 00:28:02.860 --> 00:28:04.339 individual salvation 00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:04.880 of us, 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.740 but ultimately 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:07.900 for the renewal, 00:28:08.360 --> 00:28:10.680 the restoration, 00:28:11.600 --> 00:28:12.500 the redemption 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:14.180 of the whole creation 00:28:14.180 --> 00:28:15.740 when it will be restored. 00:28:15.900 --> 00:28:16.240 Again, 00:28:16.660 --> 00:28:17.740 Revelation is coming. 00:28:18.079 --> 00:28:18.920 Revelation 21 00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:19.940 is hanging out there 00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:20.660 waiting for us 00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:21.960 when the new heavens 00:28:21.960 --> 00:28:22.620 and the new earth 00:28:22.620 --> 00:28:23.339 will be made 00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:23.980 and there will be 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:25.059 no more sin 00:28:25.059 --> 00:28:26.400 and no more sickness 00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:27.600 and no more tears 00:28:27.600 --> 00:28:29.019 and no more dying 00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:32.960 because he has come 00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:34.259 and his redemption 00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:35.300 will be complete. 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.519 And in this God 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:38.400 we can rejoice 00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:39.720 even now 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:41.259 because what is coming 00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:42.140 in the future 00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:43.880 which is based on 00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:44.720 what has already 00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:45.880 happened in the past 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:46.960 can help us 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:48.720 in our present time 00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:49.400 to rejoice 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:51.200 in God 00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:52.540 who loves us. 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:58.639 If you don't know 00:28:58.639 --> 00:28:59.819 who Johnny Erickson Tata 00:28:59.819 --> 00:29:00.180 is, 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:00.859 you need to. 00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:03.339 She's a remarkable woman. 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:04.819 She's lived now 00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:06.200 for over 50 years 00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:08.180 with quadriplegia. 00:29:08.639 --> 00:29:09.740 It came through an accident 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.879 when she was in high school. 00:29:12.159 --> 00:29:13.599 10 or 15 years ago 00:29:13.599 --> 00:29:15.000 she also battled cancer. 00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:17.079 She's not lived 00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:18.220 an easy life. 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.899 And she has pled 00:29:19.899 --> 00:29:20.839 to God, 00:29:20.839 --> 00:29:22.059 God save me 00:29:22.059 --> 00:29:22.819 from this trouble. 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:24.259 God deliver me 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:25.459 from this affliction 00:29:25.459 --> 00:29:27.079 and I will praise you. 00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:28.879 And God has said 00:29:28.879 --> 00:29:29.220 no, 00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:29.919 wait. 00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:32.699 God has said 00:29:32.699 --> 00:29:34.339 I want to use this 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:36.859 for your glory. 00:29:37.119 --> 00:29:37.539 And you know 00:29:37.539 --> 00:29:38.459 what's the most remarkable 00:29:38.459 --> 00:29:39.319 thing about her? 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:41.039 She's one of the most 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:41.859 joyful people. 00:29:42.119 --> 00:29:42.879 I've never met her 00:29:42.879 --> 00:29:43.339 in person 00:29:43.339 --> 00:29:44.899 but you see her 00:29:44.899 --> 00:29:45.419 in interviews. 00:29:45.639 --> 00:29:46.279 You see her 00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:48.559 in other places. 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:49.179 Do you know 00:29:49.179 --> 00:29:50.019 what she loves to do 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:51.240 almost more than anything else? 00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:52.339 She loves to sing. 00:29:52.859 --> 00:29:54.019 She loves to sing 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:55.039 the old hymns. 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:57.000 She loves to lift up 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:57.680 her voice 00:29:57.680 --> 00:29:59.400 and praise God. 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:00.319 This woman 00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:01.500 who's lived in a wheelchair 00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.779 her whole life 00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:04.359 who can't feed herself, 00:30:04.680 --> 00:30:05.279 who can't get 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:06.779 in or out of bed, 00:30:06.920 --> 00:30:08.139 who can't do anything 00:30:08.139 --> 00:30:08.680 for herself. 00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:10.019 And yet what she loves 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.379 to do 00:30:10.379 --> 00:30:11.339 is to sing. 00:30:13.400 --> 00:30:14.339 And we have 00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:15.460 so much to learn 00:30:15.460 --> 00:30:16.559 from her 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:17.920 about how to take joy 00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:18.700 in the Lord 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:19.720 in the midst 00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:20.620 of our trials. 00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:23.480 Habakkuk says, 00:30:23.640 --> 00:30:24.680 we can do this. 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:26.279 I will rejoice 00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:27.320 in the God 00:30:27.320 --> 00:30:28.800 of my salvation. 00:30:29.800 --> 00:30:30.820 And then finally, 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:32.019 verse 19, 00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:34.779 Habakkuk responds 00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:35.720 with waiting. 00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:36.940 He responds 00:30:36.940 --> 00:30:37.800 with rejoicing. 00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:39.180 And then verse 19, 00:30:39.300 --> 00:30:40.420 he responds 00:30:40.420 --> 00:30:41.360 with trusting. 00:30:42.100 --> 00:30:43.440 With trusting faith. 00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:44.840 Habakkuk says, 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:47.259 despite all that I see, 00:30:47.259 --> 00:30:48.879 despite all the troubles 00:30:48.879 --> 00:30:49.819 that I'm in the midst 00:30:49.819 --> 00:30:50.700 of right now, 00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:51.960 I am confident 00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:55.140 God will carry me through. 00:30:55.579 --> 00:30:57.099 He will be my strength. 00:30:57.559 --> 00:30:58.680 And that doesn't mean 00:30:58.680 --> 00:31:00.140 that he doesn't feel weak. 00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:01.440 The whole picture 00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:02.099 in Scripture 00:31:02.099 --> 00:31:02.839 of strength 00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:04.819 is that we feel weakness 00:31:04.819 --> 00:31:06.319 and God displays 00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:08.259 his strength through it. 00:31:08.579 --> 00:31:09.400 So don't think 00:31:09.400 --> 00:31:10.240 that knowing 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:11.379 that God is our strength 00:31:11.379 --> 00:31:12.440 means that we're always 00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:13.460 going to feel great. 00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:14.460 We won't. 00:31:14.920 --> 00:31:15.920 We will feel weak 00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:16.440 and unable 00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:17.200 and overcome 00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:18.279 and overwhelmed. 00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:20.160 And it's that point 00:31:20.160 --> 00:31:21.480 when we turn to God, 00:31:21.800 --> 00:31:23.920 when we trust in God, 00:31:24.060 --> 00:31:25.580 when we remember God, 00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:26.680 he says, 00:31:26.860 --> 00:31:28.019 I will take care of you. 00:31:28.140 --> 00:31:29.340 I will be your strength. 00:31:29.660 --> 00:31:30.600 Not only that, 00:31:30.800 --> 00:31:32.519 but that he will secure 00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:33.320 our footsteps. 00:31:34.600 --> 00:31:34.900 I don't know 00:31:34.900 --> 00:31:35.900 if you've ever seen 00:31:35.900 --> 00:31:37.120 mountain goats 00:31:37.120 --> 00:31:38.300 leap 00:31:38.300 --> 00:31:39.800 from ledges 00:31:39.800 --> 00:31:40.740 that are smaller 00:31:40.740 --> 00:31:41.440 than we could 00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:42.779 even probably see 00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:43.460 half the time 00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:44.380 with their naked eyes. 00:31:44.380 --> 00:31:45.560 They leap up 00:31:45.560 --> 00:31:48.820 these sheer faces 00:31:48.820 --> 00:31:50.640 that we would be terrified 00:31:50.640 --> 00:31:52.460 to even be on. 00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:53.900 We would want harnesses 00:31:53.900 --> 00:31:54.360 and ropes 00:31:54.360 --> 00:31:55.640 and tons of pitons 00:31:55.640 --> 00:31:56.960 and a belay guy 00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:57.620 to make sure 00:31:57.620 --> 00:31:58.420 that we don't fall 00:31:58.420 --> 00:31:59.180 to our death. 00:32:01.840 --> 00:32:03.340 And Habakkuk says, 00:32:03.660 --> 00:32:05.360 that's what it feels like 00:32:05.360 --> 00:32:06.380 in these troubled times 00:32:06.380 --> 00:32:08.500 and yet God makes our feet 00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:11.060 like the mountain goats. 00:32:11.660 --> 00:32:13.520 He will secure our steps. 00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:15.039 We won't slip 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:15.799 and fall 00:32:15.799 --> 00:32:16.579 and die 00:32:16.579 --> 00:32:18.099 even though we're terrified. 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:20.660 He will not let our foot slip. 00:32:20.980 --> 00:32:22.920 He will not abandon us 00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:24.579 to the enemies around us, 00:32:24.660 --> 00:32:25.900 the troubles that come 00:32:25.900 --> 00:32:27.879 that threaten to overwhelm us. 00:32:28.059 --> 00:32:28.660 In the end, 00:32:28.900 --> 00:32:30.700 they will not do it 00:32:30.700 --> 00:32:31.839 because he, 00:32:32.059 --> 00:32:32.539 the Lord, 00:32:32.619 --> 00:32:33.400 is our strength 00:32:33.400 --> 00:32:35.759 and he sets our feet 00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:36.879 on the heights 00:32:36.879 --> 00:32:38.759 like the mountain goats. 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:41.940 and friends, 00:32:42.039 --> 00:32:43.839 we know this again 00:32:43.839 --> 00:32:46.579 because Romans 5 tells us 00:32:46.579 --> 00:32:49.460 that it is the grace of God 00:32:49.460 --> 00:32:50.900 through Jesus Christ 00:32:50.900 --> 00:32:52.680 that we are now able to stand. 00:32:53.339 --> 00:32:55.140 That's where our feet are secure 00:32:55.140 --> 00:32:58.319 because we know 00:32:58.319 --> 00:33:00.180 that Jesus has made us his own 00:33:00.180 --> 00:33:02.220 and we stand in that place 00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:04.319 no matter what comes at us 00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:07.220 and we can stand firm. 00:33:07.839 --> 00:33:10.119 Not because we have great footwork 00:33:10.119 --> 00:33:11.899 but because he has made 00:33:11.899 --> 00:33:13.599 our feet secure. 00:33:14.879 --> 00:33:16.339 And this is what Habakkuk 00:33:16.339 --> 00:33:17.460 has for us. 00:33:18.279 --> 00:33:19.240 This is the God 00:33:19.240 --> 00:33:20.839 that he wants us to see 00:33:20.839 --> 00:33:21.480 this morning 00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:23.579 to remind us 00:33:23.579 --> 00:33:25.439 that this is the God 00:33:25.439 --> 00:33:27.099 of the Bible. 00:33:27.099 --> 00:33:29.639 this is what the Christian God 00:33:29.639 --> 00:33:31.519 is 00:33:31.519 --> 00:33:34.219 and how it can be 00:33:34.219 --> 00:33:34.819 our help 00:33:34.819 --> 00:33:35.919 in troubled times. 00:33:36.339 --> 00:33:36.939 Let's pray. 00:33:38.199 --> 00:33:40.699 Lord, thank you for this time. 00:33:41.439 --> 00:33:43.419 I thank you for your word 00:33:43.419 --> 00:33:44.599 and I pray, Lord, 00:33:44.679 --> 00:33:47.119 that you would help us. 00:33:48.819 --> 00:33:49.899 Lord, today, 00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:51.759 as we go from here, 00:33:51.959 --> 00:33:53.179 Lord, help us to meditate 00:33:53.179 --> 00:33:54.219 on you 00:33:54.219 --> 00:33:55.579 and who you are 00:33:55.579 --> 00:33:57.519 and what you have done. 00:33:59.939 --> 00:34:01.779 Lord, we are so often 00:34:01.779 --> 00:34:03.279 distracted 00:34:03.279 --> 00:34:04.559 and we set our hearts 00:34:04.559 --> 00:34:05.419 and our minds 00:34:05.419 --> 00:34:06.159 and our thoughts 00:34:06.159 --> 00:34:07.539 and our gaze 00:34:07.539 --> 00:34:08.679 upon other things. 00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:11.880 Lord, help us to set 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:14.019 our gaze upon you 00:34:14.019 --> 00:34:14.920 this morning, 00:34:15.860 --> 00:34:17.000 this afternoon, 00:34:17.719 --> 00:34:18.779 and this coming week. 00:34:20.500 --> 00:34:22.039 Lord, that we would be those 00:34:22.039 --> 00:34:23.319 who are filled with hearts 00:34:23.319 --> 00:34:25.440 that are willing to wait 00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:28.119 and glad 00:34:28.119 --> 00:34:29.420 and rejoicing 00:34:29.420 --> 00:34:31.760 and steadfast 00:34:31.760 --> 00:34:32.360 in faith. 00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:36.119 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:34:36.740 --> 00:34:37.039 Amen. 00:34:37.039 --> 00:34:37.200 Amen. 00:34:37.200 --> 00:34:37.240 Amen. 00:34:37.240 --> 00:34:37.280 Amen. 00:34:37.280 --> 00:34:37.320 Amen. 00:34:37.320 --> 00:34:39.200 Amen. 00:34:39.200 --> 00:34:39.320 Amen. 00:34:39.320 --> 00:34:39.400 Amen. 00:34:39.400 --> 00:34:41.320 Amen. 00:34:41.320 --> 00:34:43.320 Amen. 00:34:43.320 --> 00:34:43.380 Amen. 00:34:43.380 --> 00:34:45.320 Amen. 00:34:45.320 --> 00:34:47.320 Amen. 00:34:47.320 --> 00:34:47.380 Amen. 00:34:47.380 --> 00:34:49.380 Amen. 00:34:49.380 --> 00:34:51.320 Amen. 00:34:51.320 --> 00:34:51.380 Amen. 00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:53.380 Amen. 00:34:53.380 --> 00:34:55.380 Amen. 00:34:56.039 --> 00:35:04.079 Amen. 00:35:04.220 --> 00:35:05.180 Amen. 00:35:05.180 --> 00:35:07.280 Amen. 00:35:07.280 --> 00:35:09.160 Amen. 00:35:09.160 --> 00:35:09.220 Amen. 00:35:09.220 --> 00:35:09.480 Amen. 00:35:13.480 --> 00:35:14.019 Amen. 00:35:14.019 --> 00:35:14.140 Amen. 00:35:14.140 --> 00:35:14.780 Amen. 00:35:14.780 --> 00:35:16.880 Amen. 00:35:17.019 --> 00:35:17.500 Amen. 00:35:17.500 --> 00:35:17.599 Amen. 00:35:17.599 --> 00:35:18.019 Amen. 00:35:18.019 --> 00:35:18.039 Amen. 00:35:18.119 --> 00:35:18.440 Amen. 00:35:18.440 --> 00:35:18.599 Amen. 00:35:18.599 --> 00:35:19.340 Amen. 00:35:19.340 --> 00:35:19.780 Amen. 00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:20.740 Amen. 00:35:20.740 --> 00:35:21.599 Amen. 00:35:21.599 --> 00:35:21.640 Amen. 00:35:21.640 --> 00:35:23.820 Amen. 00:35:23.920 --> 00:35:24.500 Amen. 00:35:24.500 --> 00:35:54.480 Thank you. 00:35:54.500 --> 00:36:24.480 Thank you. 00:36:24.500 --> 00:36:54.480 Thank you.