"... By His Faith" Series

2 October 2005

Habakkuk 2:4 (KJV)

U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris

CP Walker Multicultural Gospel Service

Taegue, South Korea

BIG IDEA: There are times when God discipline BELIEVERS and test their faithfulness to HIM, by allowing UNBELIEVERS to do terrible things to them.

REFERENCES: Genesis 15:6 (And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness - KJV); Romans 1:17 ( For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith – KJV); Galatians 3:11 (But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith – KJV); Habakkuk 2: 4 (Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith – KJV); Philippians 3:8-9 (Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ 9 and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness – MSG); John 3:36 (He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him – KJV); Psalm 34:19 (Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD deliverth him out of them all); Habakkuk 2:1-4 (KJV); Hebrews 11:1-7 (The Parade of The Heroes of Faith);

I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: Habakkuk 2: 1-4 (KJV)

II.THE LARGER CONTEXT:

Many of you that attend our Weekly Pastoral Bible Studies know that, of late, we have been studying the Book of Exodus; and we’ve been learning about how the people of God - having been delievered by God from the hands of their Egyptian enemies - found themselves in the Wilderness of Sin – murmuring, complaining, and quarrelling with Pastor Moses. The Lord through our Bible Studies have been imaginatively carrying along with the Isralelites through the wilderness. What powerful lessons they have been; encouraging us all to be mindful and thankful of our circumstances and situations. Because they could be worst.

We murmur and complain in Korea about the cultural food, as I’m sure our Korean brothers and sisters, in America, do about our American food. This past Tuesday night, we pointed-out that God fed the Israelites for 40 years – 3 times a day “What Is It” (Manna). Imagine not knowing what you were eating for 40 years.

All of which, makes me much more grateful for my Kimchi in Korea.

****************TAKE 5 BEATS**************************

III. INTRODUCTION:

Now, before we begin reading the scriptures this afternoon, I suggest that you once again allow your imaginations to work with you - as we get closer to and inside the mind-set of our biblical personality today.

Therefore, please allow me to share with you some HISTORICAL TRUES REGARDING THE BOOK OF HABAKKUK. For instance, IN THE BOOK OF HABAKKUK WE DISCOVER THAT THE PROPHET’S NAME MEANS “EMBRACER”, …

NOT IN A ROMANTIC SENSE, BUT IN A COMFORTING SENSE. AS A RESULT, THIS IS A GREAT BOOK OF COMFORT. COMFORT IN PROBABLY THE MOST DISTRESSING PROBLEM THAT BELIEVERS HAVE TO FACE today:

***************TAKE 5 BEATS **************************

MOVE 1: THE QUESTION OF WHY GOD ALLOWS UNBELIEVERS TO DO TERRIBLE THINGS TO BELIEVERS.

a. In other words, Why does God allow bad and terrible things to happen to Good Church going folk, by unsaved folk that seemly aren’t even trying to live for Him?

b. FOR YOU SEE, HABAKKUK LIVED DURING THE REIGN OF JEHOIAKIM, King of Judah, during A TIME – believe it or not - …

c. …WHEN IT APPEARED AS IF TERRORIST from Babylon (and Modern Day IRAQ) were ruling the WORLD, …

d. and causing the people of God to be REACTIVE rather than PROACTIVE.

******************TAKE 5 BEATS***********************

MOVE 2: In fact, the Book of Habakkuk is nothing more than a conversation between Habakkuk – A Chaplain in God’s Army – and God HIMSELF.

a. And in the heart of this conversation, Chaplain Habakkuk, like many of us in 2005, raises the question of God’s Just Government of the World.

b. In other words, Chaplain Habakkuk is asking why is the devilish terrorist and those that do evil things …

c. … being allowed to inflict such painful and explosive hardships, and experiences upon people that have been proven to love God?

d. It just doesn’t make sense!

e. Where is God in all of this?