Arriving at Trust
July 6, 2020
Commentary
Yesterday’s passage introduced the imagery of the Lord as a mightier warrior, an archer riding a chariot, with arrows that split the earth, (v. 9). Today’s passage continues that theme. Mountains wither before him, and the seas are his to command (v. 10). We are reminded of the flood of Genesis 7, another example of salvation paired with judgement. The Sun and the moon stand still watching the events below unfold (v. 11). The Lord threshes the nations, like a farmer does his fields (v. 12). Why is he carrying out his judgement? For the salvation of his people (v. 13). We are reminded of Genesis 3:15; the Lord will crush the head of the house of the wicked. Babylon would fall just like all the other nations of the world. The Lord turns their own arrows against them, despite their mighty attack (v. 14). The Lord rides through the sea like it’s a puddle (v. 15).
Having prayed and praised God for His majesty and power, the prophet now expresses his unwavering trust in such a God (vv. 16-19). His complaints were replaced by confidence. His fear turns to faith. He realized that inner peace did not depend on outward prosperity. Habakkuk was transformed from a jittery, weighed down prophet with many burdens to a secure, joyous preacher filled with blessings.
Application
In the midst of life’s troubles, do I have a proper view of God, like Habakkuk had in the end?
Habakkuk 3:10– 19 (NET)
10 When the mountains see you, they shake. The torrential downpour sweeps through. The great deep shouts out; it lifts its hands high.
11 The sun and moon stand still in their courses; the flash of your arrows drives them away, the bright light of your lightning-quick spear.
12 You furiously stomp on the earth; you angrily trample down the nations.
13 You march out to deliver your people, to deliver your special servant. You strike the leader of the wicked nation, laying him open from the lower body to the neck. Selah.
14 You pierce the heads of his warriors with a spear. They storm forward to scatter us; they shout with joy as if they were plundering the poor with no opposition.
15 But you trample on the sea with your horses, on the surging, raging waters.
16 I listened and my stomach churned; the sound made my lips quiver. My frame went limp, as if my bones were decaying, and I shook as I tried to walk. I long for the day of distress to come upon the people who attack us.
17 When the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vines; when the olive trees do not produce and the fields yield no crops; when the sheep disappear from the pen and there are no cattle in the stalls—
18 I will rejoice because of the Lord; I will be happy because of the God who delivers me!
19 The Sovereign Lord is my source of strength. He gives me the agility of a deer; he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain. (This prayer is for the song leader. It is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)