Simply teaching the Bible, simply

We know practically nothing about the man Habakkuk, other than his name, which means to ‘wrestle’ and the fact this he calls himself a prophet – one of only three Old Testament prophets to actually give themselves this title. That is not to suggest he was self-appointed to the role, for this is a significant God-inspired man and book. Habakkuk is one of those books that adds significant weight to the case for the Divine authority and authenticity of the Bible, for if the Bible were the work of mere men, this book would not feature! Habakkuk is about as real and honest as you can get. He starts by questioning God, for allowing the troubles Judah and Jerusalem were facing, and then by daring to question God’s wisdom in using the Babylonians to bring judgment on his nation. Why would God choose to use an evil nation to fulfill His plans? In response to Habakkuk’s questions, God answers! Repeatedly we are told in the Bible that God is good; nothing He does can be anything other than good. There is no injustice in Him, no unrighteousness. Habakkuk comes to see that God’s ways are above our ways, His thoughts above our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9) . God knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:9-10). In the words of Steven Curtis Chapman: God is God and I am not I can only see a part of the picture He’s painting God is God and I am man So I’ll never understand it all For only God is God To know this, is what faith is all about, and through the trial and the pain Habakkuk was enduring, God declares to him: “The just shall live by his faith!” (Hab 2:4). Not by knowledge and understanding, not by resolve or determination, but by faith. Not faith in faith, not merely hoping things will turn out ok, not wishful thinking, and certainly not a blind leap in the dark, but an unshakable faith in the person of God; that God is who He says He is. He is good (Psalm 119:68) and He is faithful (2 Tim 3:13), He does keep His promises (2 Cor 1:20), He is unchanging (Heb 13:8), He really is working all things together for good for those who love Him! (Rom 8:28). Though we may not see what God is doing or why, it is the faith that like Job says: “Though He slay me yet will I trust Him!” (Job 13:15). Though storms may come, though we may lose everything we ‘once held dear’, it is the faith that says: “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21). It is the faith that, like David, says: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7 ESV). It is the faith that, like Micah, says: “Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.” (Micah 7:7).