What Vision Will Do.
Habakkuk 2:1-4NKJV
Very Important introduction: Habakkuk the prophet, that’s pretty much the introduction of this great book.
Habakkuk begins with complaints to the Lord. Habakkuk feels like God should step in and just wipe Israels enemies out. (Kill them).
Habakkuk just feels a little hurt with God.
Ultimately, Habakkuk realized that God was not to be worshiped merely because of temporal blessings he bestowed, but for His own sake.
I want us to look at Habakkuk 2:1-4.
We will begin in, Habakkuk 2:1NASB I will stand at my guard post And station myself on the watchtower; And I will keep watch to see what He will say to me, And how I may reply when I am reprimanded.
Again, Habakkuk 2:1MSG What’s God going to say to my questions? I’m braced for the worst. I’ll climb to the lookout tower and scan the horizon. I’ll wait to see what God says, how He’ll answer my complaint.
Habakkuk is saying, “Lord, I’m going to wait for your correction, and your word.” He’s saying, “I’ll wait for your vision.”
In Verses, 2-4, God speaks to Habakkuk, and commands the prophet Habakkuk to write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.
What’s the focus? That we are a people of Love, Prayer and Grace.
Habakkuk 2:2MSG 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.
What’s the vision, what’s the big letters?
God say’s in Habakkuk 1, “I (God) will destroy your enemies.”
God says, “All your complaints might be legit, but in a matter of seconds, ‘I can change the tide.”
Say this, “God can change the tide.”
God say’s, “Write the vision down, use big letters, because everything I’ve promised will come to pass. When it’s read the people will run.”
Habakkuk 2:3NKJV 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.
What’s your vision? Walt Disney never lived to see the opening of Disney World. During the opening ceremonies, someone is reported to have said to Walt’s wife, "It’s a shame Walt is not here to see this."
To which she responded, "He did see it, or it wouldn’t have been here."
God pleads with Habakkuk, “Whatever you do refuse to leave the vision.”
Habakkuk 2:4MSG “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.”
“Here God is saying that the proud are those who leave the vision, begin doing their own thing and leave God out of the plan.” P.H
However God speaks, “but the just shall live by faith.”
Habakkuk was a prophet for his generation. He was a watchman, a seer. He reported evil and righteousness. Habakkuk was Gods spokes man.
So are you! -1 Corinthians 12:1KJV Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
Fact, Because of Jesus, you are spiritually gifted. You live spiritually aware. Just like the prophet Habakkuk, you’re a seer for Jesus. A Messenger. A spokesman. An ambassador!
There are several things I want to point out about vision:
1. Habakkuk was a willing prophet. Habakkuk was God’s man.
Galatians 1:10, Paul states, “Will I please men or God?”
Habakkuk 2:1MSG “What’s God going to say to my questions? I’m braced for the worst. I’ll climb to the lookout tower and scan the horizon. I’ll wait to see what God says, how he’ll answer my complaint.”
Again chapter 1, we read Habakkuk’s complaint. “God, why are you allowing these Babylonians to destroy us?”
Habakkuk ask God, “Why are you silent?” Habakkuk needed to hear from God. Again, Habakkuk was willing.
2. Habakkuk’s vision would not only strengthen him, but it would empower all of Israel.
The vision God gives should empower! Just as the words of Jesus empowered the early church to pray. Luke 24:49 Tarry ye in Jerusalem until ye are clothed with power from on high.
“No one on planet earth has the anointing quite like you! God’s vision empowers!” P.H
Habakkuk 2:2-3MSG “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. 3 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.
Listen, When God speaks, His words empowers! Don’t forget what He said.
3. God needed to show the vision to Habakkuk before he could prophesy, preach, and persuade.
Habakkuk was persuaded, so he could persuade.
Habakkuk’s message probably went like this, “Believe me, God can take care of all your enemies, just trust Him.”
Hear the ending of Habakkuk 2:20 But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
God’s saying, “Trust Me. Let Me speak. Believe. Rejoice at what has been given. “Earth be silent and let Me speak.”
God states, “I will declare judgement.”
4. Write large so everyone can read it on the run.
Chapter 3, Verse 1, Habakkuk prays.
His prayer is one of reminding God of how He crushed all His enemies in the past.
“I think it’s good to brag on God.” When you boost of Gods power and His love, it builds you up.” P.H
Proverbs 29:18TPT When there is no clear prophetic vision, people quickly wander astray. But when you follow the revelation of the Word, heaven’s bliss fills your soul.
Does CECC (this body of Christ), show you more clearly what God is doing?
Our vision for 2023, should be to know, and be aware of our entitlement.
How great is our salvation?
Whose the captain?
What can’t God deliver us from?
How much love, joy, and peace do we want?
What does God ask me to do? Have faith.
Does God want me to be a blessing?
Why does the vision need to be large?Habakkuk 2:2b…So he who runs can read it.
I can tell you that your redemptive revelation/ prophetic insight from God will be much about, Love, Prayer and Grace.
5. Does the vision of CECC make you want to run? Vision should excite you.
I want you to hear the conclusion of this prophets book. Habakkuk 3:17-19NASB Even if the fig tree does not blossom, And there is no fruit on the vines, If the yield of the olive fails, And the fields produce no food, Even if the flock disappears from the fold, And there are no cattle in the stalls, 18 Yet I will triumph in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. 19 The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like deer’s feet, And has me walk on my high places.
You know what? Following God’s plan, asking for God’s direction, makes you feel King of the mountain!
6. Vision written out is for an appointed time. Though it tarries it will come. It will speak, it won’t lie.
Refuse to begrudge the wait. It’s true, “Good things come to those who wait.”
David cried, Psalm 40:1, I waited patiently on the Lord, and He heard me. He inclined unto me.
Wait, wait, wait. Wait on the Lord!
7. Vision is worth the wait. Don’t give up, keep the faith.
Habakkuk 2:4KJV Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
As believer’s, we’ve been commanded to this vision, that the just shall live by faith.
We see faith sight, we hear faith call, We speak faith words... Faith words can- heal. Save. Fill.
Habakkuk 2:4MSG “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.
Fully Alive!-The just shall live by faith! There are 38 Bible verses that state, the just live by faith.
Are you ready to follow God’s vision, God’s purpose, God’s plan? Know this, God’s plans are good, acceptable and perfect. Follow God! P.H
Benediction.
