Habakkuk 2:4-5 “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright— but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness— 5 indeed, wine betrays him; he is arrogant and never at rest. Because he is as greedy as the grave and like death is never satisfied, he gathers to himself all the nations and takes captive all the peoples.
Reading the stories of those who have endured persecution can be eye opening. It can also be very encouraging, knowing that others have clung to the Faith in the face of troubles and difficulties. Some even pay with their life for the privilege of being called a Christian.
But for some, these stories only highlight the shallowness of their own faith. They read and know that they don’t have what they need to survive extreme difficulties. Their grasp on the LORD is so weak that they seem to dangle and swing when small things swirl around them. Their footing on the LORD’s solid ground just doesn’t seem to matter. They are up and down in their faith, one day hot and the next cold.
Habakkuk the prophet lived and spoke to the Southern kingdom of Judah before they were sent into exile. He is struggling to understand how the LORD could use such an evil nation to bring judgment. It seemed contradictory for the Holy God to use such an unworthy means to bring judgment.
And so Habakkuk asks the LORD some hard questions. He puts his struggle right out there for everyone to see. And the LORD gives him some answers. And then Habakkuk has a second complaint which he voices. And the LORD gives him an answer Our text is part of that answer.
The answer will come, but not when they expect it to come. It will seem like they are having to linger. Like waiting for a news conference, you know the main speaker is coming, but not the exact moment of their arrival and the beginning of the speaking. And it can be hard to wait. You might be tempted just to pack up and leave.
Habakkuk has been waiting for justice. He sees the arrogance and greed of the enemy. He is trying to figure out how the LORD hasn’t brought justice yet. And right in the middle of the LORD’s answer we get this well known phrase.
“The just will live by faith.” Paul quotes this in the New Testament as a foundation for the Christian life. Habakkuk sees the swirling injustice and is told that the injustice will continue. And what will keep the faithful going during this injustice? Faith!
You see, the righteous will trust in the known character of the LORD. They have experienced His faithfulness and so they continue to reach out as they have before knowing that, no matter what, His character will shine through.
That is what living by faith is all about. We trust Him. Period! We might not see the answer we want. We might not get delivered from the suffering. In fact, it might look like just the opposite is happening, just like Habakkuk. We may have to linger in the suffering. We may even die in the suffering. But the LORD will bring justice.
We trust Him! That is what makes the difference for believers. We know Him and we trust Him. Circumstances come and go. He remains faithful to Himself.
The Arnold Journey 