Does God Really Care? Series

Does God Really Care?

Habakkuk – Part I

Habakkuk 1:1-11

Habakkuk 1:1- 4 (NLT)

This is the message that the prophet Habakkuk received from the Lord in a vision.

[2] How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! "Violence!"

I cry, but you do not come to save. [3] Must I forever see this sin and misery all

around me? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people

who love to argue and fight. [4] The law has become paralyzed and useless, and there

is no justice given in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, and justice

is perverted with bribes and trickery.

What are You doing??? (vs. 2-4)

 Does God even hear me?

 Why hasn’t God helped me out?

 Why is their so much evil in the world today?

 Why doesn’t the law work?

 Why do evil people get away with so much?

Habakkuk 1:5 (NLT)

The Lord replied, "Look at the nations and be amazed! Watch and be astounded at what

I will do! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even

if someone told you about it.

God is at work

 According to His divine plan

– For His purposes

– For His glory

 In His perfect timing

– He sees eternity

 Beyond human understanding

– Human tendency is to deny, doubt or dismiss

Habakkuk 1:6 (NLT)

I am raising up the Babylonians to be a new power on the world scene. They are a cruel

and violent nation who will march across the world and conquer it.

Not what I wanted to hear

 God does not answer prayer based on our “plan” for that answer

 God would be using the Babylonians to bring about His purposes

– They would be the instrument to bring judgment and repentance

 Catastrophes and hardships are the forging instruments of life

Habakkuk 1:7-10 (NLT)

They are notorious for their cruelty. They do as they like, and no one can stop them.

[8] Their horses are swifter than leopards. They are a fierce people, more fierce than

wolves at dusk. Their horsemen race forward from distant places. Like eagles they swoop

down to pounce on their prey.

"On they come, all of them bent on violence. Their hordes advance like a wind from the

desert, sweeping captives ahead of them like sand. [10] They scoff at kings and princes and

scorn all their defenses. They simply pile ramps of earth against their walls and capture

them!

The trail of destruction

 Judah would no longer be independent and prosperous

 Egypt would no longer be a world power

 Nineveh would be totally ransacked and devastated

 The Babylonians would rise to power

Habakkuk 1:11 (NLT)

They sweep past like the wind and are gone. But they are deeply guilty, for their own

strength is their god."

Completely Wicked

 The Babylonians would put their faith in their own abilities

– Used by God, in spite of their wickedness

– The wicked seek to glorify only themselves

 The Christian

– Seeks God’s glory

– Puts their faith in Christ alone

 Not trusting in abilities or accomplishments

God is still in control

**Powerpoint available on request