Sermon: "Habakkuk's Psalm"

Scripture: Habakkuk 3

Introduction:

Years ago, an English pastor, Dr. Barnhouse told the story of a woman who was feeling sorry for herself. Here's the story in her own words.

One very rainy night, a little over a year ago, I locked my store and started home. There was a pouring drenching, chilling rain and high wind. An umbrella was useless. The cars were late and I waited on the corner for three quarters of an hour. I was soaked to the skin, and chilled to the bone. Then I had to ride in two cold cars.

When I reached home there was no dry clothing laid out for me, there was no warm supper, the fires were banked and the house was cold. Now the Lord has been good to me. He has blessed me with a happy disposition - the "blue devils" do not trouble me often. But they were there that night. I thought: I will feed my kitten; I will not bother with any supper, I will go right to bed and cry it out. I began to remove my soaked clothing, and as I did, the Lord brought these words to my mind:

There is never a day so dreary,
There is never a night so long,
But the soul that is trusting Jesus
Will somewhere, somehow find a song.

Times were dreary for Habakkuk the prophet. He had complained of injustice and strife among his people and is told that the wicked Chaldeans were going to bring punishment. The prophecy Habakkuk was told to record was one of divine judgment - woes upon evil people.

Chapter two ended with the words, "But the Lord is in His Holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him." The scripture that follows begins as a prayer and a song of the prophet. The Hebrew words Shigionoth, Selah, and Neginoth were ancient musical, poetic terms. These words meant rhapsody or song, pause or interlude, and stringed instrument. Though it is not immediately apparent -the song becomes a song of joy.

I. Joy in Tribulation

Habakkuk wrote. V. 2 "Lord, I have heard the report about Thee and I fear. O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years. In the midst of years make it known. In wrath, remember mercy."

The fear had reason - difficult days were ahead. Thinking about the vision of woes Habakkuk spoke of pestilence, plagues, shattered mountains, rods of chastisement, downpours of water, and trampling of nations. He knew that tough days of unrest were coming - tribulation was on the way. Purging and cleansing was ahead and in that wrath Habakkuk asked God to remember to have mercy on the people.

Knowing that our God is merciful Habakkuk knew that He can bring joy in the midst of tribulation. In verse 16 we read, "I heard and my inward parts trembled, at the sound my lips quivered. Decay enters my bones, and in my place I tremble. Because I must wait patiently for the day of distress, For the people to arise who will invade us."

I do not think that most of us wait quietly very well when we know tribulation of some sort is coming. However, in such difficult times joy may be found in a vital personal relationship with God. Do you have that kind of relationship with God?

II. Joy in Our Salvation

Often it is in the midst of tribulation when we seek salvation. In verse 13 we read, "Thou didst go forth for the salvation of Thy people, For the salvation of thine anointed."

Habakkuk sees God going forth to bring salvation to His people. He gives a type and figure of the salvation and the redemption that is to come through Jesus Christ. Remember, the name Jesus means salvation. In verses 17 & 18 Habakkuk sang of the Joy in Salvation. First listen to verse 17. "Though the fig tree should not blossom, And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail, And the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold, And there be no cattle in the stalls." He mentioned the agricultural produce upon which their nation was dependent. But they would not have these crops or their livestock because of the invasion of the Chaldeans.

In the midst of this listen to the next verse. "Yet I will exult in the Lord. I will rejoice in the God of my salvation." Instead of being driven to despair the prophet rejoiced in the God of His salvation. How about us? Is that how we respond in tough times?

We cannot really rejoice in the Lord unless we know Him. If we know Him we will know of His love for us and love Him, too.

"How is it that you are always so happy Annie?" asked a visitor who had called and marked the little girl's brightness. "Oh!" she said, "I am happy because I am forgiven."

This joy in salvation is independent of earthly possessions. John Bradford, while in prison the night before he was burned for his faith in Jesus Christ, swung himself on his bedpost with great glee, saying to his brother martyr, "Fine shining we shall make tomorrow when the flame is kindled." He was rejoicing in the Lord.

Do you find in Jesus all you need?

A poor Negro slave who was once asked if he was ever unhappy, said, "When all de world are saying 'Did is my house,' Dat is my cotton field.' I just look up and say, "Dare is my house and dare is my Savior and when I own de Lord, me thinks I own eberything."

Do you have Joy in your salvation? I hope so - but there is more.

III. Joy in Anticipation

In verse 19 we read, "The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hind's feet, And makes me walk on my high places.

Habakkuk speaks of hinds or gazelles that are both swift and sure-footed. There is a picture of joy and confidence in the Lord to grow through trials, progressing in our relationship to our God; climbing from one high place of grace to another. It is not a grasping at gaudy bubbles that vanish with the touch, but it is laying hold of spiritual certainties for which feet like the hind's are needed. You see, hinds have peculiar feet, specially designed by God so that they not only rest on the rocks, but also cling to them, Because of this they can easily stand on high places.

Conclusion

My friends, I believe that this represents the feet of faith that rests on and clings to the great, precious, and high promises of God. The growing Christian has joy in tribulation, joy in salvation and joy in anticipation, looking forward to an exciting journey over the mountains of life.


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10 February 2009 cew