God Will Answer at The Right Time
February 28, 2022
Commentary
Habakkuk was puzzled as to why God would use an ungodly nation such as Babylon as the instrument of judgment on His own people Judah. He had boldly made his complaints and now he anxiously anticipated god’s answer (v. 1). God instructs Habakkuk to write down on tablets of clay what He speaks so that it may be publicized to others (v. 2). He stresses that their barbaric captors shall in due time suffer divine judgment.
The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk had been waiting a long time, by his reckoning, for God to come through with an answer to his impassioned prayers. Our word for today from the Word of God is the word that God gave to his prophet in that situation and maybe to you right now. The Lord says, the revelation awaits an appointed time – “…. because it will surely come” (v. 3). Though it lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk, like us, thought God was already delaying his answer. But God was saying, It’s not time until it’s MY time. That’s the right time. And it won’t be a minute late when its time. The proud trust in themselves and their lives are crooked (v. 4). The wealthy are treacherous and the arrogant are never at rest (v. 5).
Application
It is easy to be so busy justifying myself and trying to prove myself that I don’t catch a vision of what God is doing. I can be so busy trying to look good and impressing others that I haven’t caught the vision of where God is going and what He is trying to do in me and through me. In every situation, without exception, there is always a good reason for any delays that God brings into my life. Help me to always see how they are for my good and for His glory.
Habakkuk 2:1– 5 (NET)
1 I will stand at my watch post; I will remain stationed on the city wall. I will keep watching so I can see what he says to me and can know how I should answer when he counters my argument.
2 The Lord responded: “Write down this message. Record it legibly on tablets so the one who announces it may read it easily.
3 For the message is a witness to what is decreed; it gives reliable testimony about how matters will turn out. Even if the message is not fulfilled right away, wait patiently; for it will certainly come to pass—it will not arrive late.
4 Look, the one whose desires are not upright will faint from exhaustion, but the person of integrity will live because of his faithfulness.
5 Indeed, wine will betray the proud, restless man! His appetite is as big as Sheol’s; like death, he is never satisfied. He gathers all the nations; he seizes all peoples.