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“For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it testifies about the end and will not lie.  Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late.”  Habakkuk 2:3 (HCSB)

Not being late – really God?  If I were Habakkuk, my eyes would declare the thoughts of my heart.  “God you are already late – past due.” But wait was familiar for this prophet who pleaded, begged and longed for God to bring justice.  His people (Judah) were deeply embedded in sin, and it appeared that God was oblivious to their actions.  Yet Habakkuk didn’t give up; he persisted fervently in prayer.

God’s initial response unveiled an unlikely and complicated resolution.  Out of His great love for His people, God would discipline Judah at the hands of their worst enemy, the Chaldeans.  That my friend was not the story book ending Habakkuk had hoped for.  The ruthless and evil Chaldeans were no mercy givers.  They prided themselves in devouring others with great acts of violence.

A riveting conversation develops between this humble prophet and his God.  And because Habakkuk remained, clung to and resisted the urge to walk away, God revealed His entire plan.  Yes, the Chaldeans would be vicious but God would not allow His people to be utterly destroyed.  And the icing on the cake, was the vision God declared to Habakkuk in Chapter 2.  “Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late.” God would not leave the Chaldeans unjudged.  There would be a high price for their wickedness and idolatry.  God would get the final say – justice would  prevail.

Don’t know about you, but I often tend to not stay the course when answers don’t come. I start looking for them somewhere else or better yet attempting to help God out and that never serves me well.  Habakkuk 2:3 is a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty and power.  His timetable rarely aligns with our own – that’s why He is the One calling the shots.  God’s timing is perfect for everyone involved.

Habakkuk demonstrated incredible faith in trusting what God promised.  He brought his doubts, fears and confusion persistently to the only One who could control the outcome.  End result, Habakkuk’s heart was elevated to a deeper praise birthed in the valley of wait.

“Sweet Jesus how we long to trust You and rest in Your sovereign control. Teach us to persist in prayer and resist the urge to give up.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life