Introduction

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. As we gather here today, we find ourselves standing on the precipice of a new day, a new week, and a new opportunity to delve into the boundless wisdom of God's Word. We are here, not by chance, but by divine appointment. God has a message for us today, a message that will guide us, inspire us, and challenge us to live by faith.

Our focus today is drawn from the book of Habakkuk, specifically chapter 3, verses 17 to 19. This passage, nestled in the heart of the Old Testament, is a beacon of hope and a testament to the enduring faith of God's people. It's a passage that speaks to us, not just in the context of ancient Israel, but in the here and now, in the midst of our own trials and tribulations.

Before we delve into the scripture, let us bow our heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day, for the privilege of gathering together in Your name. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to Your Word today. Guide us, Lord, as we seek to understand Your message and apply it to our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Now, let's turn our Bibles to Habakkuk 3:17-19. As I read, I invite you to listen carefully, to let the words sink into your heart and mind. "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights."

What a powerful declaration of faith! Even in the midst of hardship and loss, the prophet Habakkuk chooses to rejoice in the Lord. He chooses to find joy in God his Savior. He recognizes that his strength comes not from his circumstances, but from the Sovereign Lord.

This is the essence of living by faith. It's not about having all the answers or knowing what the future holds. It's about trusting God, even when life doesn't make sense. It's about finding joy in Him, even when our circumstances are anything but joyful.

Imagine, if you will, a tree. This tree is not just any tree, but a mighty oak. It stands tall and strong, its branches reaching towards the sky, its roots digging deep into the earth. Despite the storms that rage around it, the tree remains unshaken. Why? Because its strength comes not from its branches or leaves, but from its roots.

Similarly, our strength comes not from our circumstances, but from our faith in God. Like the mighty oak, we can stand tall and strong, not because of our own abilities, but because of God's strength within us.

So, how do we live by faith? How do we become like the mighty oak, unshaken by the storms of life? This is the question we will seek to answer today. As we journey through the book of Habakkuk, we will discover the key to living by faith, to trusting God in every circumstance.

May God bless us as we embark on this journey together. May He open our eyes to see His truth, our ears to hear His voice, and our hearts to receive His love. And may He strengthen our faith, that we may stand tall and strong, like the mighty oak, unshaken by the storms of life. Amen.

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17-19

Friends, let's talk about faith. Not just any faith, but a faith that stands firm even when life gets tough. A faith that trusts in God's sovereignty, even when everything around us seems to be falling apart. This is the kind of faith that Habakkuk had.

Habakkuk was a prophet who lived in a time of great turmoil and uncertainty. Yet, in the midst of all this, he made a bold declaration of faith. He said, "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior."

Now, that's a faith that's worth talking about.

Firstly, Habakkuk's faith was not dependent on his circumstances. He didn't say, "I'll trust God if everything goes well." No, he said, "Even if everything goes wrong, I will still trust God." His faith was not shaken by what he saw around him. Instead, it was anchored in who God is.

In the original Hebrew, the word for "rejoice" used by Habakkuk is "giyl." This word carries a sense of extreme joy and gladness. It's not just a polite smile or a quiet contentment. It's a joy that overflows, a joy that can't be contained. This is the kind of joy that Habakkuk had in God, even in the midst of hardship.

As the great theologian Charles Spurgeon once said, "Faith goes up the stairs that love has built and looks out the windows which hope has opened." This is the kind of faith that Habakkuk had. A faith that was built on love, filled with hope, and focused on God.

Secondly, Habakkuk's faith was not just a passive acceptance of his circumstances. It was an active trust in God. He didn't just sit back and say, "Well, I guess this is just how it is." No, he chose to rejoice in God. He chose to be joyful in his Savior. His faith was not a passive thing. It was a choice. It was an action.

And finally, Habakkuk's faith was not just for himself. It was a faith that pointed others to God. His declaration of faith was a testimony to the people around him. It was a beacon of hope in a time of despair. His faith was not just about him and God. It was about pointing others to God as well.

So, friends, let's learn from Habakkuk. Let's choose to trust God, no matter what. Let's choose to rejoice in Him, even when things are tough. And let's use our faith to point others to Him. Because that's what living by faith is all about.

Finding Strength in God's Promises

Living by faith is a journey. It's a journey that takes us through valleys and over mountains. It's a journey that sometimes leaves us feeling weak and weary. But it's also a journey that can lead us to find strength in the promises of God.

Habakkuk, a prophet in the Old Testament, knew this journey well. He lived in a time of great uncertainty and turmoil. Yet, in the midst of his circumstances, he made a powerful declaration of faith. He said, "The Sovereign Lord is my strength."

Now, let's break this down.

First, Habakkuk recognized God as Sovereign. He understood that God was in control, even when his circumstances seemed out of control. He knew that God was not surprised by what was happening, and that God had a plan. This is a key aspect of living by faith - recognizing God's sovereignty in our lives.

Second, Habakkuk declared that the Lord was his strength. He didn't rely on his own abilities or resources. He didn't look to others for strength. He looked to God. He knew that his strength came from the Lord alone. This is another crucial aspect of living by faith - relying on God's strength, not our own.

Third, Habakkuk made this declaration in the present tense. He didn't say, "The Lord was my strength," or "The Lord will be my strength." He said, "The Lord is my strength." This speaks to the immediacy of God's strength in our lives. It's not something we have to wait for. It's something we can experience right now, in the midst of our circumstances. This is yet another vital aspect of living by faith - experiencing God's strength in the present moment.

Now, let's turn to the New Testament. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, the Apostle Paul echoes Habakkuk's sentiment. He writes, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."

Here, Paul is speaking about a thorn in his flesh, a hardship he was experiencing. He pleaded with God to remove it, but God responded by saying, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Like Habakkuk, Paul found strength in God's promises, even in the midst of his trials.

Now, let's return to our original topic and add two more points.

Fourth, living by faith means trusting in God's promises, even when we don't see them being fulfilled. Habakkuk didn't see the fulfillment of God's promises in his lifetime. Yet, he chose to trust in God's promises, not in his circumstances. This is a critical aspect of living by faith - trusting in God's promises, not in what we see.

Finally, living by faith means finding joy in God, even in the midst of trials. In Habakkuk 3:18, the prophet says, "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior." Habakkuk found joy in God, not in his circumstances. This is the final key aspect of living by faith - finding joy in God, not in our circumstances.

So, as we journey through life, let us remember to find strength in God's promises. Let us recognize God's sovereignty, rely on His strength, experience His strength in the present moment, trust in His promises, and find joy in Him. For the Sovereign Lord is our strength.

Rejoicing in God's Salvation

Living by faith is a journey, a pilgrimage of sorts, where we learn to trust God in all circumstances. It's not a sprint, but a marathon. It's not about speed, but endurance. It's not about how quickly we can get to the finish line, but how faithfully we run the race. And as we run this race, we are called to rejoice in God's salvation.

Habakkuk, the prophet, gives us a beautiful picture of this in his prayer. He says, "He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to tread on the heights." This is a vivid image of a deer, agile and sure-footed, able to navigate steep and rocky terrain with ease. This is what God does for us. He gives us the ability to navigate the challenges of life with grace and confidence. He equips us to overcome obstacles and leads us to victory.

But how do we get there? How do we live by faith in such a way that we can rejoice in God's salvation, even when the path is steep and the terrain is rough?

Firstly, we need to understand that faith is not a passive state of mind. It's an active, dynamic relationship with God. It's about trusting Him, relying on Him, and depending on Him in all circumstances. It's about believing that He is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. It's about taking Him at His word and acting on it.

This kind of faith is not something that comes naturally to us. It's something that we need to cultivate and grow. It's something that we need to practice and develop. It's something that we need to nurture and nourish. And the more we do this, the more our faith will grow, and the more we will be able to rejoice in God's salvation.

Secondly, we need to remember that faith is not about having all the answers. It's about trusting God even when we don't understand. It's about believing in His goodness and His love, even when life doesn't make sense. It's about resting in His sovereignty and His wisdom, even when things don't go our way.

As A.W. Tozer once said, "Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It's the belief that God will do what is right." This kind of faith enables us to rejoice in God's salvation, even in the midst of trials and tribulations.

Lastly, living by faith means recognizing that our strength comes from God. It's not about our abilities or our resources. It's about His power and His provision. It's about relying on Him to equip us, to empower us, and to enable us to overcome.

Habakkuk's prayer is a testament to this. He acknowledges that it is God who makes his feet like the feet of a deer. It is God who causes him to tread on the heights. It is God who gives him the strength to navigate the challenges of life.

And the same is true for us. As we live by faith, we can trust that God will give us the strength we need. He will equip us to overcome. He will enable us to navigate the challenges of life with grace and confidence. And as we do this, we can rejoice in His salvation. We can celebrate His goodness. We can delight in His love. And we can rest in His grace.

So, let us fix our eyes on Him. Let us trust in His goodness. Let us rely on His strength. And let us rejoice in His salvation. For He is our God, and we are His people. And as we live by faith, we can be confident that He will lead us to victory.

Conclusion

Dear brothers and sisters, we've spent our time today reflecting on the words of Habakkuk 3:17-19. We've learned about the prophet's unwavering faith in God, even in the face of adversity. We've seen how he chose to trust in God's sovereignty, to find strength in His promises, and to rejoice in His salvation.

This is the kind of faith we're called to live by. It's not a faith that's dependent on our circumstances. It's not a faith that wavers when things get tough. It's a faith that remains steadfast, no matter what. It's a faith that trusts in God's sovereignty, finds strength in His promises, and rejoices in His salvation.

In the coming week, let's strive to be more like Jesus. Let's strive to live by faith, just like Habakkuk did. Let's trust in God's sovereignty, find strength in His promises, and rejoice in His salvation. Let's remember that God is always with us, guiding us through every trial and providing us with the strength we need.

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