TRUSTING GOD IN TROUBLESOME TIMES
Habakkuk’s Message of Hope
I. Take Your Perplexities to God (1:1-2:1)
A. with alarm over unchecked sin (1:1-4) (Our prayers suffer when we are unconcerned.)
1. in our country
2. in our church
3. in our selves
B. with amazement at God’s sovereignty (1:5-11) (Our prayers suffer when we are unimpressed with God.)
C. with awareness of God’s character (1:12-17) (Our prayers suffer when we are not gripped by God’s character.)
D. with anticipation for God’s answer (2:1) (Our prayers suffer when we are proud, stubborn, and impatient concerning God’s answer.)
II. Think Upon the Payday of God (2:2-20)
A. Consider the vision God reveals (2:2-3)
1. Its transmission – written and plain
2. Its trustworthiness (cf. Hebrews 10:37-38)
B. Consider the verdict God renders (2:4)
1. On those who trust in themselves
2. On those who trust in God (cf. Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38)
C. Consider the vengeance God repays (2:5-20)
1. Description of the wicked (2:5)
2. Declaration against the wicked: five woes – catalog of wrongs & corresponding retribution (2:6-20)
a. First set of woes
i. Plunder (2:6-8)
ii. Self-exaltation (2:9-11)
iii. Oppression (2:12-14)
b. But God’s glory will cover the earth (2:14)
c. Second set of woes
iv. Exploitation (2:15-17)
v. Idolatry (2:18-20)
d. But God is in His holy temple – let all be silent (2:20)
III. Triumph in the Person of God (3:1-19)
A. Plead with God in supplication (3:1-2)
1. Pray for revival
2. Pray for mercy
B. Praise God for His supremacy (3:3-15)
1. Remember His sovereignty over nature and nations
2. Remember His salvation for His people
C. Pursue God for satisfaction (3:16-19)
1. Recognize that circumstances are not guaranteed
2. Rejoice in the character of God
a. Rejoice in His salvation
b. Rejoice in His strength
