Habakkuk is a short book of 3 chapters that begins with the prophet questioning God about the injustice that he has observed in his own people.  "How long, O Lord, will I call for help.. ."  Habakkuk is weary of the violence and wickedness that surrounds him.. so much violence.. so much strife... so much perverted justice!  Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

God's answer to the prophet is so unexpected... His solution to the injustice of Judah was to send the Chaldeans.. a "fierce and impetuous people who march throughout the earth... "  doing more violence! 

Habakkuk responded with another question... " Art Thou not from everlasting, O Lord, my God, my Holy One?"

The Chaldeans would be held guilty, the Lord vows.. for their "strength is their god" (v11).. And strength is fleeting. In verse 16 He says, " Therefore, they offer a sacrifice to their net, and burn incense to their fishing net; because their catch is large and their food is plentiful.. " They worship their abundance.. their income.. and that also is fleeting.  These two idols are alive and well in the world today, aren't they?  What country does not rely on its strength and on its wealth? We know that ours does... 

Habakkuk chose to wait and watch to see what the Lord would do.  The Lord approves this.. "Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.. "  It is the "righteous" who live "by faith". We are called to wait through the troubles.. through the threats.. through the years.. in faith, for we know that a time is coming when "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." (v11)  This is the lesson that Habakkuk learned.  "But the Lord is in His holy temple, Let all the earth be silent before Him." (v20)

Chapter 3 is a recorded prayer/psalm which exults the Lord.. " His splendor covers the heavens and the earth is full of His praise; His radiance is like the sunlight; He has rays flashing from His hand, and there is the hiding of His power." (v3-4)  The ways of God are "everlasting".. His power is unlimited..  His salvation is certain.. Habakkuk declared.  And because of this he concludes, " I must wait quietly for the day of distress.. " He determines to live by faith:

"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, Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds feet, and makes me walk on my high places." 

Father, You are our help and our salvation.. You are the Lord who is in Your holy Temple and we become silent before You.  We worship You alone. We know that the things of this world are temporary.. fleeting.. and we cannot stand firm on them.  We put our trust in You alone. You are the everlasting God and we will wait on You.. no matter what befalls us.  Thank You for being our faithful and gracious God! We exult You and give You all our praise.  Thank You for the Savior who has come and will come again.. we wait for Him.. oh what splendor and wonder awaits us .. when we see Him in His glory.  Come Spirit of God and fill us with renewed faith and hope as we wait before our God. Amen.