Habakkuk's prayer
Habakkuk has heard about the Lord and it has caused him to fear. Habakkuk asks God to revive His works—asking for mercy. So even though Habakkuk is afraid, based on what he's heard; he also knows that the Lord is merciful and Habakkuk believes in that merciful God. Asking the lord to remember that mercy.
That's interesting since the book starts with Habakkuk crying out about the injustice among his people.
Then Habakkuk begins a praise of the Lord. He refers to the Lord coming as a visible storm and the whole earth is full of His praise. This idea of the whole world praising God also came to me this weekend during my church’s worship service. It’s overwhelming to think of everything that deserves our praise. At the same time, we spend much of our lives giving praise and worship, even though it's not often directed at God as it should be.
- The adoration of a person who brings about a feeling in us should be praise to the Lord for His image-bearers shining His light.
- A song that moved us, even one captured by a worldly band, should be worship to the one who made music and infused it with the power to stir us.
- An accomplishment in a sporting event should bring praise to the one who gave us both our fearfully and wonderfully made bodies and the spirit to compete for the prize.
- The beauty of a hike should arouse praise to the Creator.
I'm sure you get the point. He gave us the things of this life to enjoy. He made us so that we can enjoy things. He gave us the choice whether to point back to Him with praise and worship for both of those truths.
Sadly, we usually don't.
But Habakkuk did. Even though Habakkuk is disturbed by the events of his oracle; unsettled by the answers from the Lord; afraid of what he has heard about the Lord. Still. He knows in his bones that the Lord is worthy of his praise. The whole earth sings His praise.
Habakkuk gets specific about God in his praise. We all appreciate when compliments are specific. they mean more that way. Maybe this approach to worship is why Habakkuk was trusted with the oracle in the first place.
- God has a radiance.
- He has power.
- He can send pestilence. (Examples include Pharaoh's Egypt and snakes in the wilderness)
- plagues (Exodus)
- He can survey the whole earth and startle nations
- He can shatter mountains and hills
- His ways are everlasting
In the next paragraph, beginning in verse 8, Habakkuk mentions God's dominion over the features of the earth: seas, rivers, even horse, chariots, and weapons of men. God can use all things in His judgement: mountains, waters, oceans, sun and moon. These can also be used for the salvation of God's people, like stopping time for Joshua.
When I heard, my body trembled;
My lips quivered at the voice;
Rottenness entered my bones;
And I trembled in myself,
That I might rest in the day of trouble.
When he comes up to the people,
He will invade them with his troops. Habakkuk 3: 16
It's a great and terrible thing to fall into the hands of an angry God. And Habakkuk now knew that was coming for Judah and there wasn't any argument Habakkuk could make or question he could ask to prevent it.
However, and this is vitally important for all who hope to be saved by our Lord, Habakkuk committed to worship and praise the Lord. Even if the food should fail, he would exult the Lord and rejoice in his salvation. That will not be taken from him, no matter how bad the circumstances on earth.
That faith, which can only be stirred up by God Himself, can save us. And save us it will; because His mercy is everlasting for those who love Him and are the called by His name.
Here's that conclusion in Habakkuk's own closing words:
The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments. Habakkuk 3:19
Amen.