Prayer Changes Things

Habakkuk 3:1–19
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

Habakkuk chapter 3 reveals what happens when we stop complaining and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us through prayer. The truth is prayer always changes us, not God. Having had his eyes turned to God (Hab. 2:20), the prophet now responds with a prayer. It is the mountain top destination of a journey that began in a valley of distress. Habakkuk’s attitude changed because He went back into God’s Word and saw things through the eyes of faith and not the eyes of the flesh.

Habakkuk’s prayer is expressed in three parts:

1. His prayer to God  (vv 1-2) - His prayer was written to be used as a part of the public worship services of Israel. It was a song to be sung triumphantly and in great excitement. Even though the prophecy he have involves the judgment and destruction of Judah, the prophet is not discouraged or defeated. He knows that ultimately, the Babylonians will be destroyed, Israel will be exalted, and God’s glory will fill the earth.
2. His praise of God (vv 3-15) - Just as God came and manifested Himself to Israel of that day, God will come and manifest Himself to Israel in the prophet’s day. Just as God delivered from the hands of the Egyptians, He will deliver the Israel of his day from the Babylonians.
3. His trust in God (vv 16-19) - Having prayed and praised God for His majesty and power, the prophet now expresses his unwavering trust in such a God. 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

Habakkuk’s feelings were not controlled by the events around him, but by faith in God’s ability to take care of him. When nothing seems to go right I need to keep my eyes fixed on the Lord.