Habakkuk - Chapter 2
HABAKKUK - WHEN GOD SEEMS UNFAIR
“Experiencing Spiritual Doldrums”
In the days when wind power was the primary source to move ships across the oceans, sailors would dread the regions near the equator because of the possibility of doldrums. Because the intense heat of the equator affected the flow of air, this area was often so calm or still that ships could be stuck in the region for days or even weeks. You may remember “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” from your high school literature class. “Water, water everywhere and all the boards did shrink. Water, water everywhere nor any drop to drink.” The poem describes a ship caught in the infamous doldrums.
Sometimes we may feel as if we are caught in the Doldrums spiritually speaking. It may be that we are not seeing our prayers being answered as quickly or in the way we think they should be. It is as if God is either ignoring us or doesn’t care. Maybe we are observing the suffering of a friend, and we wonder where God is during all this. The refreshing “wind” of God’s presence just doesn’t seem to be there.
It could be said that the prophet Habakkuk was experiencing a time of spiritual doldrums. In chapter one of Habakkuk we are introduced to this prophet who lived about 600 years before Christ. He mourns because his nation has turned its back on God, and he cries out for God to deal with His people. However, he isn’t quite ready for the answer God gives that He is going to use the wicked nation of Babylon to destroy Judah.
The name Habakkuk means to embrace, to cling to, or to wrestle. We find him wrestling with God when he first hears of the coming invasion of Babylon. In chapter two we find Habakkuk waiting for God’s answer. How he responds gives us some tremendous insight on how to react when we find ourselves experiencing spiritual doldrums. It is one thing to serve and worship God when the wind is in our sails - when everything is going well, our family is healthy, the bills are paid, the job is secure - when we are enjoying the blessings of God. It is entirely another thing when we are in the spiritual doldrums - when everything seems to be falling apart. Yet God is still God no matter what our circumstances may be. What are we to do?
1. STOP AND LISTEN
I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected. Habakkuk 2:1
There are times when we need to stop everything else we are doing and just listen to what God will say to us. The truth is God speaks to us through His Word. God’s Word should therefore be vital and precious to us.
I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. Job 23:12
God may use circumstances, friends, a message, etc. to remind us of the truths of His Word. We need to have a “sensitive ear” when God is speaking. God may not be saying what we want Him to say, but we can be sure that He never makes a mistake.
The Apostle Paul writes about a time in his life that we could say he experienced the spiritual doldrums.
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
2. REMEMBER
Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. Habakkuk 2:2
When God spoke to Habakkuk, He commanded him to write down what He would say. Habakkuk was to record the vision to preserve it for posterity so that all who read it would know of the certainty of its fulfillment. There is a sense in which we also should “write down” what God says to us. In a very practical sense, it is very helpful for each of us to keep a spiritual diary in which we record the things we learn from God on a daily basis. It is helpful to take notes during a message. However, in a broader sense we need to remember what God has spoken.
We write things down so we won’t forget them. That is why we men always should make a list when our wives send us to the store to pick up a few groceries. If not, there’s no telling what we might bring home.
Truthfully, it does little good for us to listen to God if we then quickly forget what He has told us.
- ? Remembering God’s Word brings obedience
I remember Your name in the night, O LORD, and I keep Your law. Psalm 119:55
- ? Remembering God’s Word gives understanding
I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. Psalm 119:99
- ? Remembering God’s Word gives us strength
My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word. Psalm 119:28
- ? Remembering God’s Word produces peace
Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble. Psalm 119:165
3. WAIT
For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:3
It would be some time before the prophecies God gave Habakkuk would be fulfilled. God’s promises will always be fulfilled. Peter spoke of a time when scoffers would make the promise of the Second Coming of Christ.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
Sometimes it may seem that God has forgotten us, but we can be assured that He hasn’t. Remember…
God’s delays are not God’s denials.
Waiting involves both trusting and serving. We trust Him and serve Him even when we may not fully understand. It is important for us to know that there is nothing anyone can do to speed up God’s plan or slow it down. It is God’s timing, and God will never be one minute late or early. He is always exactly on time.
Waiting involves embracing God in faith. The key verse for this book and a pivotal verse for the entire Bible is verse four.
… the just shall live by his faith.
That statement has been true since the creation of man and still continues to be so. No one has or ever will be considered just (or righteous) apart from faith. No one has ever been made right with God because of their performance. It has always been and always will be based on faith.
Through faith, even though circumstances may look dark around us, we can experience a closeness to God. Three words express how we can.
But the LORD
When everything seems to be falling apart around you, remember that phrase, But the LORD.
But the LORD is in His holy temple, Let all the earth keep silence before Him. Habakkuk 2:20
God is still in control. Never forget that truth. He doesn’t need our advice on how to run the universe. What we need to do is to be quiet and let God be God.
