Faith in God's Purpose

February 25, 2024 Background Scripture: Habakkuk 1:5 - 2:5 Lesson Passage: Habakkuk 2:1 - 5 The Lord moves in mysterious ways. God's ways are beyond our comprehension and ability to find out. These facts have been accepted by the people of God for thousands of years. At no other time is it more apparent than during times of hardship for the people of God. It is during those times that we ask, "Why do good people suffer, and evil people prosper in this world? How long will God allow the wicked to persecute His people?" The prophet Habakkuk made similar observations during his days. The topic of today's lesson summarizes the message God gave Habakkuk in response to questions such as these. God moves, or stands still, on purpose. God is a God of love who cares deeply for His people. He never allows us to be overcome by more than we can bear. God sees the end before the beginning. Whether things are good or bad, God makes it all work together for good for those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose. These are not just personal observations or statements. These are statements from the Word of God that have been given for assurance during times of uncertainty. Habakkuk had two serious questions for God. Why do You allow me to see the horrible things I see, and yet You do not respond to any of it? Although a law may be just, the wicked is allowed to withhold justice and the righteous become victims of perverted justice. But it seemed as though God was not delivering the righteous from it. God assured the prophet that He had a plan of deliverance and retribution. God's plan would unfold during the prophet's lifetime. The prophet would be amazed at the manner God would use to resolve the issue. God would use people who were worse than the wicked Habakkuk knew about to punish them. They would not reverence God either. The righteous would be delivered. When God uses the wicked to punish the wicked, then the righteous would receive justice. Habakkuk was still confused. How could God allow idol worshipers to do as they pleased and continue to worship their idols? Would they be allowed to continue to destroy nations at their will? The prophet committed himself to patiently await the Lord's response to him. Today’s lesson is the Lord's response to the waiting prophet. God would give Habakkuk a vision that he must write for others to read. At the appropriate time, the vision would become reality just as God had spoken. God's people must remain patient and not faint. Delay is not denial. The proud will be abased. Nations such as Babylon will be destroyed by God. Today, the nations that threatened the people of God during the days of Habakkuk no longer exist. However, the people of God continue to flourish from one generation to another. The vision of God continues to speak after thousands of years. Those who are justified by God because of their faith continue from one generation to the next. Because of the faith of the people of God, they continue to live on through adversity. The historical record validates God's vision for His people. According to recorded human hist01Y, every nation that exalted itself against the knowledge of God was destroyed by God forever. Consider the Babylonian Empire, the Assyrian Empire, the Roman Empire, the English Empire of colonizers, the Axis Powers, and the Soviet Union. Every great worldly empire that is not of God is destroyed by God. God's vision that was written by Habakkuk continues to speak today. After thousands of years, God's people continue to live and thrive from generation to generation because of our faith in God's purpose. Robert C. Hudson February 10, 2024