20/20 Faith
Habakkuk 3:1-19
Introduction:
20/20 vision is a term used to express normal clarity or sharpness of vision. It is measured at a distance of 20 feet. If you are fortunate enough to have 20/20 vision, you can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. 20/40 vision is what’s usually required to obtain a driver’s license. And if your vision is 20/200, meaning you can see at 20 feet what should normally be seen at a distance of 200 feet, you are legally blind.
We often say that hindsight is 20/20. This means that when we look back at a certain event in our lives, we can clearly see exactly what happened, what led to the event, what other choices we may have had, or what may have led to a different result. We often have a better understanding of a particular circumstance when we look back on it than when we were actually experiencing it. Our vision of the past is often better than our vision of the present.
The prophet Habakkuk learned firsthand what 20/20 hindsight was all about. Habakkuk begins his book by engaging the LORD in a conversation regarding a disturbing burden. Habakkuk couldn’t understand why God was silent about all the evil that was going on in the land of Judah. Habakkuk couldn’t figure out why God wasn’t doing anything about it. And Habakkuk wondered why God even tolerated all that evil.
When God told Habakkuk that he was going to use the wicked Babylonians to bring judgment on the people of Judah, Habakkuk was even more confused. Why would God use a nation that was even more wicked than Judah to be his channel of discipline? It just didn’t make any sense. God’s plan seemed like a perversion of justice.
God reveals the rest of the story to Habakkuk. God would deal with the wicked Babylonians in his own way and in his own time. The Babylonians had exalted themselves, but God would bring them down. The Babylonians had become a proud and violent people, but God would use the nations they had abused to shame and humiliate them. The Babylonians had used slave labor to build an expansive empire, but God would cause that empire to be destroyed. Babylon would surely experience God’s woe.
God assured Habakkuk that the righteous would live by being faithful. God would perform a work that would cause his glory to fill the entire world. And Habakkuk could be confident that God was in control because the LORD was in his holy temple.
In our text this morning, Habakkuk looks back with 20/20 vision. And seeing the past clearly, enables him to look ahead with 20/20 faith. His fear is turned to faith. His worry is transformed into worship. His terror becomes trust. His hang-ups are resolved with hope. And his anguish melts into adoration.
Habakkuk’s Prayer:
Chapter 3 begins with prayer. “LORD, I have heard of your fame,” Habakkuk prays. “I stand in awe of your deeds.” Habakkuk has heard all about what the LORD has done in the past. He is aware of all the reports concerning God’s work. He has heard everything that has been said in regard to the LORD’s reputation.
And everything that Habakkuk has heard causes him to stand in awe of all the LORD’s works. When Habakkuk ponders the things that the LORD has done, he stands amazed. He gives God honor. He reveres God’s name.
Habakkuk then expresses two petitions. He prays that God will demonstrate his power, and he prays that God will give his people a full measure of his grace. “Do great things once again in our time,” Habakkuk prays. “Make those things happen again in our own days. And even when you are angry, LORD, remember to be kind.”
Habakkuk reflects on all the great works that God has done in the past with 20/20 faith. And as he reflects on those works, he prays that God will do those same kinds of deeds again. He prays that God will reveal himself again through the great works he is able to do. He prays that God will deliver his people by performing the same kinds of signs and wonders that he performed when he delivered his people from Egypt. And Habakkuk prays that God would do these great works soon, just like he had already promised.
But Habakkuk also realizes that God is bringing judgment upon his people. Habakkuk knows that God is just, and God’s justice requires that he must punish sin. God’s discipline would bring trouble and turmoil upon his people. But Habakkuk also knows that it is because of the LORD’s great love that his people are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
And so, Habakkuk prays, “In your wrath, Lord, remember mercy. Don’t forget to show compassion to your people.” Habakkuk prays that God will restrain himself from giving his people the full punishment that they deserve. Habakkuk prays that God will be compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love. Habakkuk prays that God will not treat his people as their sins deserve, or repay them according to their iniquities.
God’s Previous Works:
Habakkuk reflects further on God’s great and mighty works in the past. As Habakkuk describes the LORD’s future judgment on Babylon, he remembers the mighty acts of God in the exodus, at Mount Sinai, and in the conquest of the land of Canaan. Habakkuk realizes that the LORD is an everlasting God. He does not change, and he is continually active in history. He is fully capable of intervening for his people.
Habakkuk ponders how God’s wrath and mercy came together when he delivered his people from the land of Egypt. He recalls the awesome deeds the LORD had performed in bringing his people from Egypt through the wilderness and into the Promised Land. Recounting those deeds gave Habakkuk confidence that God could also deliver his people from Babylon.
Habakkuk first acknowledges the glory of the LORD as God arrives to deliver his people. Habakkuk indicates that God is coming from Teman and Mount Paran. These are areas between Mount Sinai and the Dead Sea through which the Israelites passed on their way to the land of Canaan. And it was in this area that God performed many wonders. And just as God displayed his glory to his people of long ago, God could display his glory again to Habakkuk and the people of Judah.
Habakkuk says that God’s glory covers the heavens and his praise fills the earth. His splendor is like the sunrise. Rays flash from his hand, where his power is hidden. Habakkuk compares God’s glory to the brilliance of light rays emanating from the sun. As the sky is first tinted with the early rays of the hidden sun, then the earth is illuminated as the ball of fire appears over the horizon, and finally everything is flooded with brilliant and glorious light, so is God’s glory.
This is the glory of God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. This is the glory of God which is displayed in his great and marvelous acts of deliverance. This is the glory of God which blankets the heavens and whose praise fills the whole earth. Words cannot describe this glory. But when Habakkuk looks back with 20/20 faith and sees God’s glory, Habakkuk knows that God’s glory will come again.
Habakkuk next acknowledges the power of God. God is the ultimate source of all power. His power is fearsome to behold. God’s power is seen in nature and evident throughout the history of his people. God’s mighty power shakes the earth and makes mountains crumble. Nations tremble, and plague and pestilence are all around. God is a terrifying God to all those who oppose him. And compared to God’s power, human power pales in significance.
God’s power had delivered his people in the past. The LORD God brought his people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. God displayed his power in the Ten Plagues. His right hand was majestic in power. He revealed his power at Mount Sinai. His power consumed the enemies of his people. He showed his people the power of his works by giving them the lands of other nations. His power even made the sun and the moon stand still.
Just like he did in Egypt, God can strike down his enemies with plagues or pestilence whenever he wills. His very presence causes the earth to shake. By a mere glance at the nations, God causes them to leap in terror. God had promised Moses, “I will begin to put the terror and fear of you on all the nations under heaven. They will hear reports of you and will tremble and be in anguish because of you.”
God had demonstrated his mighty power to his people before and caused the nations to tremble. And when Habakkuk looks back with 20/20 faith and sees God’s power, he is convinced that God can do it again. The LORD is as all-powerful as he is all-loving. His grace and glory are coupled with might and majesty.
Finally, Habakkuk acknowledges the judgment of God. God is not going to tiptoe through the tulips. God is going to stride through the earth like a thundering giant and like a victorious warrior riding forth with his horses and chariots.
Those who oppose God will experience the Divine Warrior in wrath as he moves throughout the earth. They will be surprised at their defeat when they went forth expecting victory. But those whom God has chosen to be his people will know this same Warrior as the gracious Savior and Deliverer.
The motive of God’s judgment is clear. His anger is not directed toward nature. God is coming to rescue his people. Habakkuk sees the LORD coming again to crush wickedness and deliver his faithful people from their oppression. Salvation is for God’s people.
God’s hall of justice will prevail. The Babylonians will be sentenced to God’s woe. Their nation is doomed for destruction. Just as they had shamed the people of other nations, so the Babylonians will be humiliated for all to see. Their empire will be broken down to its very foundations. Nothing of value will remain.
God’s anointed people will be vindicated. The people of Judah are God’s people. They are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. They are a people belonging to God. And God’s people will be declared righteous and they will be set apart for a special honor. For when Habakkuk looks back with 20/20 faith and sees God’s judgment on his enemies, Habakkuk knows that God will administer his judgment again – this time, on the Babylonians.
Habakkuk’s 20/20 faith clearly sees the great and marvelous deeds that God has done in the past. And God will again perform a miraculous deliverance. God will remember his compassion in the midst of his justice and wrath. And God will again display his glory and power when he comes to bring judgment on the Babylonians.
That is what Habakkuk saw when he stood on the watchtower. That is the message that God revealed to him. Habakkuk’s heart pounded, his lips quivered, and his legs trembled. Habakkuk was about to collapse from this amazing encounter with God. He felt as though his bones were in a state of decay and his nervous system was all unraveled. But in his weakened state his confidence and hope were renewed.
But what about us? What do we see when we look back at what God has done in the past? That’s the question I want us to think about for our congregational prayer this morning. How have we experienced God’s deliverance, or seen God’s glory, or felt God’s power, or received God’s mercy?
God’s power was obviously at work in our lives in our son's full recovery after three brain surgeries. And because of that miraculous healing, God has given us a 20/20 faith. But I wonder – how would our faith be different today if Benjamin had never come through surgery?
I think of Job, who lost everything he had. I think of Paul. Three times Paul pleaded with the Lord to take away his thorn in the flesh which tormented him. It’s easy to wonder how we can have confidence in God’s power, and glory, and mercy when God doesn’t deliver us from our present troubles.
There are no easy answers, are there? But Job was still able to say, “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” And later, Job professed his faith and said, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end…I will see God.” Similarly, after God assured Paul of his all-sufficient grace, Paul declared, “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Habakkuk’s Peace:
Habakkuk, too, finds a new sense of peace. He chooses to wait for that day of destruction and yet be a day of victory and vindication over the wicked Babylonians. Habakkuk enters into a state of victory and salvation rest. And it is only the presence and favor of God that makes this rest possible. It is only by God’s grace that Habakkuk is able to wait for God to do his work.
And so, Habakkuk waits patiently. He does not cower in fear, but waits in calm certainty. Habakkuk knows that God will deliver his people. Habakkuk can see the power and glory of God in his past works of deliverance. And that same power and glory is coming over the horizon. It will bring the promised judgment on Judah’s enemies. The long-awaited day and time will come. 20/20 faith can ultimately and finally be left in the hands of God who keeps his covenant forever.
But Habakkuk also waits in spite of. These are the “what if’s.” Or more accurately, the “even if’s.” Even if there are no figs, no grapes, no olives, no crops at all, and no sheep or cattle – in spite of all that, Habakkuk will wait.
Habakkuk outlines the worst possible scenario. But even in the midst of absolute ruin and horrible famine, Habakkuk realizes that inner peace does not depend on outward prosperity or circumstance. His 20/20 faith recognizes that peace comes from an unshakeable relationship with his covenant LORD. The answer to Habakkuk’s burdensome questions is faith. Faith is the victory that conquers the world.
Finally, Habakkuk waits joyfully. Habakkuk does not state that he will merely endure his burdens and distress. He does not resign himself to his fate and make the best of his situation. Instead, he says that he will rejoice in the LORD and be joyful. He will rejoice in God even when every instinct in his body cries out in distress.
The object of Habakkuk’s joy is the God of his salvation. Sometimes it seems as if history is out of control and no one knows where it all will end. But Habakkuk rejoices in the LORD because the LORD is ultimately behind the course of history. The LORD is in control and he will accomplish his purpose for his people. He will deliver the faithful and the righteous from their oppressors. He will restore the prosperity of his people.
And so, Habakkuk writes these words and puts them to music. These words are meant to be a song of praise to the God of his salvation. Even in the darkness of doubt and despair, Habakkuk’s 20/20 faith allows him to compose a song in praise.
Habakkuk’s Strength:
Habakkuk triumphs over his burdensome questions. But Habakkuk’s 20/20 faith does not depend so much on his holding onto God, but on God’s hold of him. God is the sovereign LORD. He is the unfailing source of strength.
God enables Habakkuk to be strong, sure, and successful. He makes Habakkuk’s feet like the feet of a deer. He enables Habakkuk to go on the heights. Habakkuk may have stumbled for a time when he heard of God’s plan. Habakkuk may have felt like he was in the pit of despair. But God gives him a sure-footed strength and raises him up to the heights of the mountains from where his help comes.
Conclusion:
Habakkuk gives us insights for what to do when God’s ways just don’t seem to make any sense. There may be no final solution to the problem of pain and evil. We may never understand God’s purpose or plan. But when we are overcome by obstacles, when we wrestle with the difficulty of life’s unanswered questions, when we are filled with despair when God seems silent, 20/20 faith kneels in prayer.
We ask God to reveal to us his great and mighty works of the past. We ask him to demonstrate his work of deliverance again. We ask God to remember his love and compassion to his covenant people. And we confess any sin that may bring God’s judgment upon us.
Once God has reminded us of his great and mighty works of the past, 20/20 faith takes the time to reflect on them and ponder their significance. When we remember the past, we worship God for the ways in which he displayed his glory to us. We learn to recognize God’s power in working out all things for the good of our salvation. And we remember that God continually judges evil by restraining sin or by limiting its effects on our lives.
And so, our 20/20 faith waits on God. We wait patiently, knowing that God is in control and he will work everything out in his own way and time. We wait for God to act even though our present situation may cause us fear, doubt, or despair. And we wait joyfully, giving God thanks for all circumstances for this is his will.
A theologian once wrote, “Pain can be seen as the great ‘Not Yet’ of eternity. It reminds us of where we are, and fans in us a thirst for where we will someday be.” You see, it can be a blessed thing to mourn because of the comfort that is on its way.
What God did for his people of old was done with an eye on our mediator. Sins effects are seen in death, all kinds of illnesses, calamities, and trouble. But Jesus Christ has won the victory. The battle is already won. He is the God of our salvation, in whom we rejoice. And because he is our salvation, we know that God will never take us to a place where his grace cannot keep us.
One way or another, God will overcome. There may not be an ultimate solution to the problem of pain and evil in our world and in our lives until Jesus returns and makes all things new. But whether we are visibly delivered or not, we will stick to our belief that God is love.
That’s the fact that brings our 20/20 faith into focus. And that faith, although at times mixed with fear, is not a timid faith but a bold, confident faith in an all-powerful God who has done great and glorious things through Jesus Christ our Lord.
