Sermons; Sermon Series; Request a CD; Resource Archive; The reality of the problem of pain and suffering is undisputed, but the problem is answered in many different ways. When we look ahead, we will say, “The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. And in the silence I often sensed His presence. The problem with this approach, however, is that anger can be very destructive--both to the angry person and to those around. But if He is not all-loving, all-knowing, and all-powerful, how can He be God? All rights reserved). “Keep your work going” is his prayer. Think about God's blessings and ask, "Why me?" - Habakkuk 2:14. God wants believers all right! —Ella Wheeler Wilcox. I eat the meat and push all the bones to the side of the plate, and then let any fool that wants to choke over them.”. I want to tell you --- FAITH FIGHTS...FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH... “Greed is good.” With those words, celebrated Wall Street whiz Ivan Boesky revealed his basic business philosophy to his class of undergraduate students. Not only will those who lack faith have trouble seeing God's hand in the midst of their circumstances, they would fail to grasp His plan, even if He told them. Habakkuk 3:2 -  O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years! Now when you study the prophets of God in the Old Testament you will discover God used men with different personalities to be the channel through whom he gave his message to the people. He explained, “If I asked, ‘Why me?’ about my troubles, I would have to ask, ‘Why me?’ about my blessings. Because the children were partakers of flesh and blood, He took part in the same, that through death He might destroy death. Habakkuk struggled with this same question as he saw the distressing situation in Judah where wickedness and injustice were running rampant (Hab. —Oatman. But let them remember that in the midst of the years God can revive his work, and ask for it. The answer lies in three verses in chapter 2. - Brian Edwards, Revival restrains the righteous anger of God, restores the conscious awareness of God, and reveals the gracious activity of God. God would judge Judah, but He would also judge the invading Babylonians for their evil (see Hab. In sharp contrast, the psalmist saw the wisdom of silence, because in quiet reverence God can be heard. A friend found it difficult to be patient during a long hospital stay. Even when everything looks bad, God is good. I believe there is more faith in honest doubt than in being too sure you are not trying to put one over on me." Perhaps Habakkuk 3:17-19 was an unusual Bible passage to read as our family and guests sat down to a traditional feast of turkey with all the trimmings. In the stillness of the night under a starry sky, in a hushed sanctuary, or in a quiet room at home, we can meet the living God and hear Him speak. © 2021 SermonSearch. A sermon at Riverside Church June 1, 2008. It is essential that we live and “walk in the light” of God’s vision for us (1 John 1:7). Contents “Prom Night” by Keith Hewitt “The Heavy Lifting” by C. David McKirachan Prom Night by Keith Hewitt 1 Corinthians 6:1-20 Mark Randall, lost in the wailing guitar of Layla, almost missed the knock at his door.“C’mon in,” he said automatically, and reached for the volume on his record player, cranked it down a couple of notches. It would not be allowed to continue indefinitely. We are in too great a hurry, to take time and trouble for climbing the watch-tower, and awaiting the Divine reply. Reprinted by permission. We cannot bring the vision to fulfillment through our own efforts, but must live under its inspiration until it fulfills itself. 2:2-20). They are full of questions: “When are they coming?” “Did they forget?” “What time is it now?” “Are they driving fast enough?” At last the moment arrives. ", I am not so sure that Tennyson was correct; certainly not if it is a question of doubting the truth of the gospel. Like Habakkuk, Asaph was bewildered at the providential working of God in this world: he was disturbed because the wicked seemed to be prospering while the righteous were suffering. Favorable circumstances can also produce smiles. Have you shared this story with your friends or family? With longing hearts we watch and wait Though wrath is coming, Habakkuk prayed and believed that mercy would win out. This sermon was preached at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Lexington, Ky., on Nov. 3, 2013. We too can rejoice in our trials, have surefooted confidence in God, and live on the heights of His sovereignty.— by Marvin Williams. You have always been faithful to me. Tennyson has written, "There is more faith in honest doubt, All rights reserved). “Men of faith are always the men who have to confront problems,” wrote G. Campbell Morgan, for if you believe in God, you sometimes wonder why He allows certain things to happen. The researchers are planning to investigate next whether these findings might help people with Alzheimer's disease. Circumstances may change, but God remains the same. The beacon of the wise. He knew they would be “ruthless” and portrayed them as typical conquerors (Habakkuk 1:6-7), that is, as proud lovers of power and domination who would be dreaded by others and “whose own strength is their god” (Habakkuk 1:11). xi., p. 221. A city built on bloodshed cannot stand. Habakkuk 3:19.—A. Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. But God’s response troubled him even more. Sim Kay Tee. There are times when our worry has a foundation to it. He’s writing about a topic that we all think about eventually. Keywords. We can give thanks in every trial God said that because of all the sins Manasseh committed against Him, He would punish Judah with the same standard He had used against Israel and the dynasty of Ahab. We can hold the very Word of God in our hands and read it. As she was walking down the street, she met a fellow believer who asked, “How are you doing today?”, With a sour look and a bitter shrug she replied, “Oh, not too bad—under the circumstances.”, The other person quickly countered, “Well, get above the circumstances! - Stephen Olford, I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Neh. The theme of Romans is “the just” and how to be justified before God. . Conrad Maier-Sogheg made a lot of money, enough to deposit $10,000 per day to his bank account in Georgia. Even if he lost all his possessions, Habakkuk proclaimed that he would continue to trust the Lord to meet his needs (vv.17-19). Judah would also be sent into exile (2 Kings 21:10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15). But the acid test is obedience to the vision in the details of our everyday life— sixty seconds out of every minute, and sixty minutes out of every hour, not just during times of personal prayer or public meetings. Habakkuk contains 56 verses spread over 3 chapters. Many commentators see specific historical references in these verses. Habakkuk 3:17-19 – Responding to Trials with Joy. “I will stand my watch . Early the next morning she awoke with words for a song in her mind. Jeremiah was very sensitive person. I’m baffled by God’s delays, wondering why and when. Read More. It reflects a joy that remains even when a person has few of life's material blessings. God's work in our lives is not solely for our benefit; He gives us a story to tell in order to encourage others and bring glory to His name. He didn't need to "put on" a smile, because the joy in his heart would do it for him. When world events cause you to despair, turn off the news and turn to Scripture. God's people have the assurance that they will triumph—if not here, then in eternity. “You may be sure that your sin will find you out,” the Bible warns (Num. Habakkuk learned a similar lesson. Revelation Tuesday Night Livestream; Kid’s Church! God’s response to His confused prophet indicates that even when evil obscures the face of God, our inability to see Him does not mean He is uninvolved. Sun and moon stood still in the heavens at the glint of your flying arrows, at the lightning of your flashing spear. Faith in Christ knows that the best is yet to come. "Yes," the woman agreed, and then added, "but I intend to choose the colors.". The extent and variety of Manasseh’s sins are stunning. Let us get beyond the narrow limits of our church or section, and ask for a revival of God’s work everywhere.