—It Takes Vision.
Habakkuk 2:2-4NKJV
Larry lived and breathed golf. As a teenager he was ranked in the top 16 golfers in the nation. In his senior year he was in car accident, his left arm was amputated just below the elbow. He would be fitted with a prosthetic hand, and with a lot of practice, Larry got his swing back, he rejoined his school team, scored better than ever, and went to college on a golf— scholarship.
Larry was quoted as saying, “That I would like to be the first pro-golfer with a prosthetic, but if I don’t succeed, I won’t be a failure—We only fail if we don’t try.”
Vision makes you try; Vision gives you direction. Notice, Larry’s vision, to be the first professional player with a prosthetic.
Also note, Larry’s faith isn’t fixed upon the end of his journey, or the day he arrives. His faith is fixed for the duration—The fun is in—the journey.
Again Larry states, Failure only comes to the one who refuses to try.
The prophet Habakkuk felt the sorrow of his own people. Yes, they’re hell-bent but…Yes, they’re prideful but…Yes, they’re participating in perverted things but…Yes, they’re serving other gods but…
It’s time to wipeout the but, with clear vision. Remember this, Internal invasion arrives, a massive disturbance, and then it’s just a matter of time before things explode externally.
Israel had an internal disturbance of sin!
Therefore, when we hear these words God gave the prophet Habakkuk, write the vision, and make it plain…God is acquiring Habakkuk to write His judgement down…make it plain, because it’s coming to pass.
Habakkuk 2:2-4NKJV Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. 4 “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.
The reason God required the vision to be written was, The Babylonians will hold us in captivity. Write it down and get ready for hard times.
Again verse 4 is a key verse—The proud are not upright in heart. And then God states—“But the just shall live by faith.”
God say’s, Habakkuk write that down, The just shall live by faith. And if we have the faith of God we have to follow His vision.
Did you know there’s only two times Jesus told His disciples to go? 1. Go and pray.
2. Go make disciples.
Habakkuk couldn’t believe what his ears were hearing. —“God, You’re going to use my enemies to do what to me?
Habakkuk 2:2-4TM And then God answered:“Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time. 4 “Look at that man, bloated by self-importance—full of himself but soul-empty.?But the person in right standing before God through loyal and steady believing is fully alive, really alive.
Bad things are ahead—Habakkuk wasn’t liking what God was telling him. Habakkuk states, justice is a joke.
Again, God chose the Babylonians for His judgment against Israel—He stated, “Wickedness will rule, for My people to wake-up.”
Habakkuk 1:6TM, God tells Habakkuk, 6 something’s about to take place and you’re going to find it hard to believe.
Good or bad, Habakkuk was called by God to write this vision down…This is what you can expect…follow vision…
King Solomon writes, Proverbs 29:18NKJV Where there is no (vision), revelation, (prophetic insight), the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.
If, we don’t know why we are doing something…If, the journey is too long…If, sin is readily accessible…If, compromise could be suggested…If, growing pains seem to be more like the devil himself…
You need vision. God states, “Write the vision down. Make it plain and simple. Make it easy to read, so it can be read on the run.”
Again, these are not easy times…Sound familiar? Global pandemic, opioid crisis, millions of aborted babies, Russia invading the Ukraine, Gas prices, these are hard times. And hard times require vision.
Not just vision—but prophetic insight, revelation from God.
The Lord gave me 3 words to grow by. We are a people of— Love, Prayer, and Grace. And that this must be shown vertically and horizontally.
Joel 2:28ESV “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.
Look closely—God promises to pour His spirit out on all flesh…Sons and daughters— prophesying. Speaking words of life, words of the spirit, words of edification, words of favor, words of gifting and impartation.
Young men having vision.
Older men dreaming dreams…
You might ask the question, “What kind of vision can I have?” First, become part of CECC dream. We have a strong desire to grow internally and externally.
If a dream or a vision, or prophecy is significant it surely should be written down. Rehearsed—Gone over. We actually should have someone who records every major event.
The prophet Habakkuk wrote the vision down…though it was a difficult vision…He wrote it down, he made it plain and simple.
Testimony—I want to say this, It’s burning within me. When our forefathers placed an Est. marker, 1914, in the CE rock, (the old rock church). These saints of God were thinking, “Here’s our beginning mark. This rock church is the starting line, and I know they prayed for this property to reach hundreds and even thousands.”
“Vision, ‘You won’t be successful without it.”
I would like to take you to the end of Habakkuk. I submit for your consideration, The prophet Habakkuk writing this vision down, gave him, along with Israel hope for a complete turn-around later.
Thus, Habakkuk 3:17-19TM Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen, Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, Though the sheep pens are sheep-less and the cattle barns empty, I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Counting on God’s Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I’m king of the mountain!
Remember, Habakkuk, the prophet wrote, “The just shall live by his faith.”
Again, Faith isn’t blind. Faith should always suggest—written vision.
In Genesis chapter 41 through chapter 50, Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob and the first with his wife Rachel. Joseph dreams, and thus becomes connected to King Pharaoh’s dream.
Ever how arrogant it seemed, Joseph speaking his vision/dream to his brothers gave the vision wings.
Does your vision or dream need wings?
Joseph shares his dream—Dreamers dream, and dreamers share. Joseph’s dream would save the nation of Israel. Joseph’s dream would spare Egypt and make King Pharaoh renowned. Joseph’s dream would cause him a lot of trouble. Joseph’s dream brought his father and his brothers back together again. Dreams go farther than you think.
Dreams stop famine—Dreams give legs to faith, Dreams build buildings, Dreams save souls, Dreams give us reason to get back up again. God’s looking for dreamers; Moreover, Saints whom follow dreams, and vision make a deep impact on satan’s kingdom.
Dreams cause us not to sin. “We believe in and obtain something better than any sin!” P.H
When we don’t have vision: A good man decided he wanted to become a Mock, so he took his vow of silence. Every 7th year each mock got to say a few words. This particular Mock served his first 7 years and then he said to the other mocks, “My bed is too hard!” Another 7 years go by and our mock said, “The food Stinks!” Another 7 years went by and our mock said, “It’s too cold!” Another 7 years went by and the mock finally said, “I quit!” The master mock spoke up and said, “Good all you’ve done since you got here is complain!”
Vision kept Habakkuk alive, and gave Israel insight on the future.
South Pacific's lyrics: If you don't have a dream how you gonna have a dream come true?
Vision gives you direction, creativity and resilience. Without one you become passive, aimless and vulnerable to quitting.
God can give you a vision instantly, but its fulfillment will require learning, practicing, and managing life's daily challenges. It takes vision, something bigger and better than any sin.
I close with these powerful scriptures, Psalm 126:1-3AMP When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion (Jerusalem),?We were like those who dream [it seemed so unreal]. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting;?Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us; We are glad!
Interestingly—Habakkuk 2, and Psalm 126, were written during the same hard times, but both came out with vision and praise!
Homework—Write what you know, write down any vision the Lord has given you.
Benediction.
