Sermon – Finding Meaning And Hope In Overwhelming Circumstances

Sermon – Finding Meaning and Hope in Overwhelming Circumstances

Scripture Lesson-Habakkuk 3:16-19 “I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear. My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror. I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us. Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.”

Introduction -The Book of Habakkuk is a unique prophetic dialogue where the prophet questions God about injustice in Judah and the use of the wicked Babylonians as instrument of punishment. Habakkuk moves from questioning God's silence to trusting His sovereignty, culminating in a song of praise and faith in God's ultimate justice as he seeks to find meaning and hope in overwhelming circumstances. How do you find hope amid the gloom of life? What do you do with your hard questions when God is silent? Is there a way to move from pain to praise? Habakkuk, God’s faithful prophet could hardly believe what his nation was experiencing. At one point God seemed so far away. Then again, God seemed closer but was ignoring the conditions of the world. Have you ever felt that way? Why does God seem so far away? When will this anger, hatred and evil ever end? Why did I lose my job? Why did He take away my loved one? Why doesn’t God stop these wars? Why do I worry so much when I know I should be worshipping? Why am I complaining when I should be praising?

These questions are common. Every person at one time or another has struggled with the hard questions of life. Habakkuk did not consult his friends, family or himself. Many times, opinions of others offer little comfort when there seems to be no rhyme or reason, no logical understanding, no one to blame. Talking to yourself leads to depression and more frustration. Habakkuk goes to God, “What’s going On? What are you doing about? How long will you sit still? And God answers, but God’s answer was more disturbing than his silence! God’s answer left “His heart pounding his lips quivering, decay crept into his bones, and his legs trembling (Habakkuk 3:16). Habakkuk was confused, angry, terrified, and desperate for relief. He cried, “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?” (Habakkuk 1:2). Habakkuk, an Old Testament prophet, experienced a season of trials that seemed endless. He was desperate for relief, for change, for God to intervene. Does that sound like something you can relate to?

I too recently felt like Habakkuk. The weight of grief, depression, and anxiety consumed me to the point where my heart pounded, my lips quivered, my legs trembled, and it felt like decay crept into my bones. My heart and flesh screamed for relief—and in my desperation, I found myself tempted to stray from the truth of God’s Word. I desired comfort above all else, but was called to rely on the Lord in my season of desperation. When you and I feel like there is “no hope for a harvest” (Habakkuk 3:17), when desperation distracts us from God’s truth, and when our faith is shaken, what do we do? We can learn from sufferers like Habakkuk.

Habakkuk was a contemporary of Jeremiah and he ministered in a culturally and politically turbulent time, right before Babylon took Judah into exile. The reason I want us to look at this book is because Habakkuk, whose name means “wrestling,” had a number of questions for God. Habakkuk is unique among the prophets because he didn’t speak for God to the people, but rather spoke to God about his questions. The book is actually an intense dialog between the prophet and God, with Habakkuk arguing that God’s ways are incomprehensible and even unjust. We see a confused prophet in the dumps, but he finds a way to move from gloom to glory. Regardless of his personal confusion, he knows that God is still in charge.

Habakkuk reminds us of David the sweet psalmist of Israel in Psalms 73:1-5 when he said, “Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.” After wandering around, confused, hurting and frustrated, David found a place of refuge. In Psalms 73:17-18 he continues, “So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.”