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In a mere 56 verses, Habakkuk reveals ten principles on how to hold firm to your faith in God, even when things go from bad to worse. Meet the prophet Habakkuk through a narrative introduction that tells the story of his prophetic ministry. Work at your own pace through this 20+ page workbook, filled with commentary and questions to guide your study.
Citation preview
Habakkuk
Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith Christy Bower
No Matter What Happens
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
“Those who are taught the word of God
should help their teachers by paying them” (Galatians 6:6).
Thank you for purchasing this Bible Explorer workbook. You just put a meal on my table. And your
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No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
All rights reserved. This workbook is for individual use only and may not be distributed in electronic or
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Cover image purchased to support artists. © iStockphoto.com / David Jones
All other images are in the public domain.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
About Christy I have a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Multnomah Biblical
Seminary (2004). I am the author of three books: Best Friends with
God (2010), Devotion Explosion (2007), and Abundant Life (2002). I
have written numerous articles for Christian publications, as well as
writing web content for clients. And, in January 2011, God set me
on the path of full-time writing ministry, which has enabled me to
focus on producing Bible resources to help others grow in their
faith.
Welcome!
The Bible Explorer series
provides a hands-on
approach to studying
individual books of the
Bible. The studies are
intended to help you
discover the answers for
yourself, while guiding
you through the difficult
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May God bless you as you
study His Word.
Christy
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
Introduction No matter what happens. Are you prepared to follow God, no
matter what happens?
That’s the struggle of faith that Habakkuk wrestled with in his day,
and it’s the struggle we all face when life gets difficult.
The book of Habakkuk can be described as an argument with God.
It is the prophet’s search for answers to moral and theological
questions that believers still ask today: Why does God permit evil
among his people? How can a good God allow the wicked to
overcome those less evil?
When he receives answers from God, the answers are more painful
than the questions. God brings the bad news that the worst is yet
to come and the people of Judah will be invaded by the cruel
Babylonians.
It’s one thing to have objective answers from God. It’s one thing to
believe the Bible is true and know what it says about our problems.
But it’s quite another thing to work through the difficulties in how
it affects our own life and faith until we arrive at a personal
response to God’s word.
The book of Habakkuk is a mere 56 verses, but it contains
important truths about what it means to wrestle with our faith, to
accept God’s word when it is unpleasant, and to arrive at a position
of acceptance of God’s will no matter what it means for us
personally.
Take a moment to read the following narrative, which provides
some context for the events of Habakkuk after the death of King
Josiah (609 B.C.E.) as recorded in 2 Chronicles 35.
“Look at the
proud! They
trust in
themselves,
and their lives
are crooked;
but the
righteous will
live by their
faith”
(Habakkuk 2:4).
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
Habakkuk: A Man of Persistent Faith
Weeping. Wailing. Huddles
of women whispering. Circles
of old men tugging on their
beards and reminiscing
about the good old days.
Young men running about to
fortify the city and make
preparations.
Habakkuk walked through
the streets of Jerusalem in a
daze. He felt numb to the
pain and panic, but he could
see it in the eyes of those
who met his stunned gaze.
As he rounded a corner and
saw into the town square, he
could see Jeremiah in the
courtyard singing a lament
for the death of King Josiah.
The news had come by a
swift runner this morning:
“King Josiah has been
mortally wounded in battle.”
Then, a chariot brought King
Josiah, clinging to the last
threads of life, back to
Jerusalem. Physicians tended
him right there in the
courtyard where Jeremiah
now stood. But the
physicians could do little
more than remove the
arrow. He bled to death in
the courtyard as the city
gathered to grieve.
Then panic ensued.
The court officials crowned
Josiah’s son, Jehoahaz, to
make him king of Judah in
place of his father. There was
no time for a royal
ceremony. There was no
time to grieve. There was no
time to prepare for war.
Couriers reported that the
Egyptian army was barreling
down on Jerusalem as fast as
their iron chariots could
carry them, and Egypt was
known for the speed of its
mighty horses.
With most of the military out
of the city to fight the
Egyptians, the lower-ranking
military officers now shouted
orders to civilians, but the
fear in their eyes did not
convey the confidence the
people needed right now.
Habakkuk felt tired and a
little sick to his stomach, so
he leaned up against a wall,
closed his eyes, and listened
to his friend Jeremiah give
the lament for Josiah.
Jeremiah recounted the
accomplishments of the
beloved king.
Thirty-one years ago, Josiah
became king at the age of
eight. He sought the Lord for
help in leading the nation
and began to remove idols
and restore the Temple.
During this restoration, a
scroll containing a portion of
the Law was found and read
to Josiah. He immediately
instituted reforms to bring
the nation back into
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
alignment with the word of
God.
Jeremiah reminisced about
the glorious days of Josiah
and the freedom, prosperity,
and religious revival that
occurred among the people
during his reign.
Habakkuk thought about
Jeremiah’s words. Freedom
and prosperity were fragile.
The Assyrians, who had
destroyed the Northern
Kingdom of Israel a century
ago, had been otherwise
occupied—or at least
disinterested in the little
nation of Judah. Thanks to
this, Josiah enjoyed freedom
and prosperity despite the
ravages of war going on in
the land all around them.
Now, the Assyrians had
grown weak and felt
threatened by the increasing
advances of the Babylonian
alliance. With their forces
stretched thin, Assyria
summoned Egypt to help
them. But Josiah did the right
thing. He took Judah’s army
out to meet the Egyptian
army to prevent them from
reinforcing the Assyrian
slaughterers.
And now what?
The king was dead.
The Egyptians had Jerusalem
as their next target, and
Assyria would likely follow up
to destroy this nation that
had presumed to interfere.
What would happen now?
Had it been worth it to get
involved and make
themselves a target? Where
was the Lord? Would He
intervene? Would He let
righteous Judah become
slaughtered by nations with
a bloodthirsty lust for
power? Would the Lord
protect His people?
Questions. So many
questions. Habakkuk opened
his eyes. The daylight was
veiled by a thin layer of
clouds and a sense of doom
hung heavily over the City of
David. Habakkuk looked at
Jeremiah who was still
singing a lament before a
crowd of women and
children. Then Habakkuk
turned and began to make
his way home, still dazed and
deep in thought.
Many sleepless nights
ensued as Habakkuk cried
out to the Lord, asking God
to intervene in the dire
circumstances in Jerusalem.
Weeks and months turned
into years. The Egyptians had
not destroyed Judah.
Instead, they placed Josiah’s
son, Jehoiakim, as king.
Jehoiakim ruled as a tyrant.
Judah’s enemies had not
destroyed her, but she was
about to destroy herself.
Prices soared as people took
advantage of each other
instead of helping one
another. Bribes perverted
justice and the law became
useless in a city increasingly
characterized by anarchy and
violence among its own
people.
Habakkuk continued to pray
every night. “How long, O
Lord, must I call for help? But
you do not listen! Must I
forever see this sin and
misery all around me?
Wherever I look, I see
destruction and violence.
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
The wicked far outnumber
the righteous.”
The Lord replied, “Watch and
be astounded at what I will
do! I am raising-up the
Babylonians to be a new
power on the world scene.
They are a cruel and violent
nation who will march across
the world and conquer it.”
Habakkuk asked, “Why? Your
people have sinned and
deserve punishment, but
why would you allow a
nation even more wicked to
destroy your people? Is the
answer to wickedness to
send more wickedness? How
can this be? Will wicked
people succeed forever?”
There was no reply.
Habakkuk waited.
Then, one night the Lord
replied:
“Write my answer so
everyone will know. My
solution will happen slowly,
steadily. Eventually I will
judge those whom I have
sent to judge you. If it seems
slow, be patient. Look at the
proud! They trust in
themselves, but the
righteous will live by their
faith. To those who trust in
themselves: Beware!”
“Beware of pride and
ambition. Beware of
arrogance and greed. Beware
of cruelty. Beware of
drunkenness. And beware of
idolatry, for your idols are
lifeless inside. But the Lord is
inside his holy Temple. Let all
the earth be silent before the
Lord.”
Habakkuk trembled in awe of
the Lord. He had a vision of
the Lord rolling across the
land like a thunderstorm,
coming to save His people.
Habakkuk’s heart welled up
in song:
I have heard all about you,
Lord, and I am filled with awe
by the amazing things you
have done. In this time of our
deep need, begin again to
help us, as you did in years
gone by. Show us your power
to save us. And in your
anger, remember mercy.
I trembled inside when I
heard all this. But I will wait
quietly for the coming day
when disaster will strike the
people who invade us.
Even though the fig trees
have no blossoms, and there
are no grapes on the vine;
even though the olive crop
fails, and the fields lie empty
and barren; even though the
flocks die in the fields, and
the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I
will be joyful in the God of
my salvation. The Sovereign
Lord is my strength! He will
make me as surefooted as a
deer and bring me safely
over the mountains.
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
The Landscape of History Habakkuk lived during the reign of Josiah, who became king of
Judah when he was eight years old and he reigned for thirty-one
years (639-609 B.C.E.). He sought God and instituted religious
reforms, beginning with eliminating idolatry in Judah. As the
workers began a massive restoration of the Temple, the high priest
discovered a book containing God’s Law and read it to Josiah. The
young king humbled himself and wept that God’s people had
neglected God’s law. He pledged to obey the Lord and required the
people in Jerusalem to make a similar pledge (2 Chronicles 34).
While religious reform took hold, it did little to transform society
on a moral level. Despite a period of peace and prosperity, violence
and corruption infested Judah like a disease. Habakkuk could see
past this veneer of religious reform and see the vile lives of those
who professed to observe God’s feasts and religious observances.
This sent Habakkuk on a quest to seek answers from God about
how long He would allow this to continue. But answers from God
were slow in coming.
When God said He would judge the corruption of His people by
bringing the Babylonians to invade Judah, Habakkuk was surprised
because Babylon was not yet a world power. The greatest threat
had been Assyria, and sometimes Egypt. But Chaldean tribal
groups, who had made successful skirmishes against the Assyrians
armies, were only beginning to form a Babylonian alliance that
would later become a world power.
The following map shows the reach of the Babylonian Empire at
the height of its power.
Chaldeans
Become
Babylonians
The Chaldeans were a
tribal group living in
southern Babylonia. They
often waged guerrilla
warfare against the
Assyrians. In the Bible, the
Chaldeans first appeared
as allies with Judah, but
they later became a
threat. Occasionally a
Chaldean king would
occupy the throne of
Babylon. The Chaldeans
gradually acquired
domination of Babylonia
and took on the name
“Babylonians” or “Neo-
Babylonians.” For this
reason, the Bible often
uses the terms
“Chaldean” and
“Babylonian”
interchangeably. So
whenever you see the
term “Chaldean,” think
“Babylonian.”
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
The Babylonian Empire God predicted the rise of the Babylonian Empire. They did, indeed,
march across the world and conquer it.
“I am raising up
the
Babylonians to
be a new
power on the
world scene.
They are a
cruel and
violent nation
who will march
across the
world and
conquer it”
(Habakkuk 1:6).
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
Outline
Habakkuk: Persistent Faith in Desperate Times
I. A Crisis of Faith (Chapters 1-2)
a. Habakkuk’s First Question: How long will you sit
back and do nothing while violence and injustice
prevail? (1:1-4)
b. God’s First Reply (1:5-11)
i. The worst is yet to come.
ii. The cruel Babylonians will march across
the world and conquer it.
c. Habakkuk’s Second Question: Why? How can a
holy God judge the sins of Judah at the hands of
people more wicked than they? (1:12-17)
d. Habakkuk Waits for God’s Answer (2:1)
e. God’s Second Reply (2:2-20)
i. Their time is coming.
ii. Those who trust in themselves will get
what they deserve.
iii. The righteous will live by their faith.
II. A Triumph of Faith (Chapter 3)
a. Habakkuk’s Prayer for Mercy (3:1-2)
b. Habakkuk’s Vision of God Coming to Save His
People (3:3-15)
c. Habakkuk’s Response to the Vision Is a Declaration
of Joyful Faith in God, No Matter What Happens
(3:16-19)
Survey of
History
612 B.C.E. Babylonians
captured the Assyrian
capital of Nineveh
609 B.C.E. King Josiah of
Judah blocked Pharaoh
Necho II of Egypt as he
marched north to assist
Assyria against the
Babylonians
605 B.C.E. Babylonians
defeat Egypt at the Battle
of Carchemish
597 B.C.E. Jerusalem fell
into Babylonian hands
586 B.C.E. Jerusalem
destroyed
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
Faith Lessons Habakkuk had some tenacity. He brought his complaints to God
and even argued with God’s responses as he wrestled with the
implications of God’s word for his own life and faith. The prophet
received bad news from God: the worst was yet to come. And yet,
Habakkuk clung to his faith and made a remarkable declaration of
faith as he learned to accept God’s will, no matter what.
From Habakkuk, we can glean ten attributes of persistent faith.
They are as relevant for us as they were for Habakkuk.
Persistent faith . . .
Calls to God for help, even when God is silent (1:1-11).
Continues to dialogue with God when His answers seem
unacceptable (1:12-17).
Waits patiently for the Lord to respond (2:1-3).
Trusts in God rather than in personal effort (2:4-5).
Heeds God’s warnings (2:6-20).
Accepts God’s plan (3:1-2).
Focuses on God’s attributes (3:3-15).
Waits in confidence (3:16).
Finds joy in God, not in circumstances (3:17-18).
Relies on God’s strength for the present crisis (3:19).
Ten Attributes
of Persistent
Faith
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
Persistent faith calls to God for help, even
when God is silent (1:1-11). Habakkuk watched the misery, destruction, violence, and injustice
around him and wondered how God could remain silent in the face
of such wickedness. His prayers apparently continued unanswered
long enough that Habakkuk grew frustrated with God’s non-
responsiveness to his prayers, too.
Have you ever prayed for something and wondered “how long?”
before God answers your prayers? What do you do when God
seems silent? How does it make you feel? How does your
sentiment compare with that of Psalm 73:11?
Sometimes God seems silent in the midst of injustice and evil.
According to 2 Peter 3:9, why might God seem silent or slow to
act?
To Habakkuk, God’s answer (1:5-11) seemed worse than His
silence. The Lord said that He would judge the wickedness in Judah
by bringing the Babylonians to conquer it. “They are notorious for
their cruelty. . . . They are a fierce people, more fierce than wolves
at dusk” (1:7-8). If God told you that the worst is yet to come in
your life, how would you respond?
How long, O
LORD, must I
call for help?
But you do not
listen!
(Habakkuk 1:2).
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
Persistent faith continues to dialogue with God
when His answers seem unacceptable (1:12-
17). God answered Habakkuk, but it wasn’t the answer he had hoped
for. God’s judgment was coming in the form of the ruthless
Babylonians. Has God ever given you an answer that didn’t seem
fair? If God were to give you an answer that seemed too difficult to
bear, what would you do? Would you give up on God or try to talk
Him out of it?
It seemed as if God was going to let the wicked prevail. Habakkuk
asked, “Will you let them get away with this forever?” (1:17). Read
Psalm 73. What was the psalmist’s view of the wicked at the
beginning of the psalm (73:1-14)? How did his opinion change
(73:15-20)? What changed his perspective (73:21-28)? Which
perspective do you have? Why?
O LORD my God,
my Holy One,
you who are
eternal—is
your plan in all
of this to wipe
us out? Surely
not! O LORD our
Rock, you have
decreed the
rise of these
Babylonians to
punish and
correct us for
our terrible sins
(Habakkuk
1:12).
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
Persistent faith waits patiently for the Lord to
respond (2:1-3). Habakkuk had learned to wait for God’s reply. His first complaint
was “How long?” because he had been calling out to God for help.
When God replied, Habakkuk voiced a second complaint to God,
but he knew God’s reply might not come immediately, so he
prepared to wait. What does Lamentations 3:25-26 say about the
benefit of waiting for God? What activity does it suggest we do
while we wait?
In God’s answer to Habakkuk’s second complaint, He indicated that
the answer would take time to be fulfilled: “If it seems slow, wait
patiently, for it will surely take place.” When God doesn’t change
our circumstances quickly, we become impatient and wonder if
God doesn’t understand the urgency of our situation. Waiting can
cause us succumb to doubts. What do you do to keep doubts at
bay? According to Micah 7:7 and Psalm 27:13-14, what qualities
will help us wait without doubting?
I will climb up
into my
watchtower
now and wait
to see what the
LORD will say to
me and how he
will answer my
complaint
(Habakkuk 2:1).
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
Persistent faith trusts in God rather than in
personal effort (2:4-5). Habakkuk wanted to know why God would allow the wicked to
prevail over those who were more righteous (1:13). But God’s
answer indicated that He doesn’t see things in relative terms.
Everyone who does not live by faith in God but trusts in themselves
will get what they deserve in due time. What does Proverbs 16:5,
18 say about this problem? Is such a fate self-inflicted or God-
inflicted? Why?
New Testament writers often cited Habakkuk 2:4 because of its
foundation of faith. Do Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews
10:38 provide any additional insights into the life of faith? The
repetition of “the righteous will live by their faith” indicates its
importance. What does it really mean to live by faith? See Hebrews
11:1. How does living by faith help us to overcome our natural
inclination to trust in ourselves?
“Look at the
proud! They
trust in
themselves,
and their lives
are crooked;
but the
righteous will
live by their
faith”
(Habakkuk 2:4).
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
Persistent faith heeds God’s warnings (2:6-20). God explains that, although He is using the Babylonians to carry
out His judgment against Judah, the Babylonians will eventually get
what they deserve. Their time is coming. The Lord gives five
warnings (woes) to the Babylonians and all who trust in themselves
rather than living by faith. In one or two words, describe each of
the five warnings.
(2:6-8) Beware of . . .
(2:9-11) Beware of . . .
(2:12-14) Beware of . . .
(2:15-17) Beware of . . .
(2:18-20) Beware of . . .
Are these warnings relevant today? Underline any of the warnings
that you may need to heed. What are the consequences of not
heeding these warnings?
How are these problems a result of trusting in oneself rather than
living by faith? For each one, list a specific response of faith. For
example, greed could be remedied by faith in God’s provision and
contentment with what God provides.
“But soon it will
be your turn!
Come, drink
and be
exposed! Drink
from the cup of
the LORD’s
judgment, and
all your glory
will be turned
to shame”
(Habakkuk
2:16).
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
Persistent faith accepts God’s plan (3:1-2). Once again Habakkuk prays, but this time with a more submissive
tone. How does his tone resemble that of Job after his encounter
with God (Job 42:5-6)? What shift does this reflect?
Habakkuk appealed to God to help His people, but he seemed to
accept God’s plan for judging Judah with a Babylonian invasion.
Instead of arguing and complaining, he acknowledged God’s power
and ability to save, and pleaded “in your anger, remember your
mercy.” A few years later, the prophet Jeremiah wrote a lament
after the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem. Read his words in
Jeremiah 3:19-24. According to Jeremiah, how can we have hope in
the midst of suffering? How does this help us to accept God’s plan
when it seems unacceptable to us?
I have heard all
about you,
LORD, and I am
filled with awe
by the amazing
things you have
done. In this
time of our
deep need,
begin again to
help us, as you
did in years
gone by. Show
us your power
to save us. And
in your anger,
remember your
mercy
(Habakkuk 3:2).
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
Persistent faith focuses on God’s attributes
(3:3-15). According to Habakkuk 1:1, the book is a record of the message
Habakkuk received from the Lord in a vision. Up to this point, the
text has contained dialogue, with no other sensory details. But
these verses (3:3-15) contain a vivid description of what Habakkuk
saw. What parts of this description are most striking to you?
Having appealed to God to help His people again as He had done
throughout history, Habakkuk saw a vision of God coming to save
them. But, in the vision, the past, present, and future were
intertwined. Some of the imagery is similar to the Lord’s acts at
Sinai and the Red Sea, but these are combined with the image of
God approaching in a thunderstorm. What might these intertwined
images indicate? See Hebrews 13:8.
How does envisioning God’s mighty power help us to have
persistent faith? What attributes of God do you need to envision
coming to bear on your circumstances?
I see God, the
Holy One,
moving across
the deserts of
Edom and
Mount Paran.
His brilliant
splendor fills
the heavens,
and the earth is
filled with his
praise! What a
wonderful God
he is!
(Habakkuk 3:3).
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
Persistent faith waits in confidence (3:16). Although Habakkuk was disappointed at the news that God would
send Babylon to invade Judah, the prophet had now seen a vision
God of coming to save them, sending nations fleeing before His
presence. Knowing Babylon’s ultimate demise made it easier for
Habakkuk to wait with confidence.
Sometimes waiting can be accompanied by fear and dread. What
does the Bible promise in Isaiah 40:31 to those who wait on the
Lord with confidence? How can that help you to wait in confidence
for whatever God has planned for you?
I trembled
inside when I
heard all this;
my lips
quivered with
fear. My legs
gave way
beneath me,
and I shook in
terror. I will
wait quietly for
the coming day
when disaster
will strike the
people who
invade us
(Habakkuk
3:16).
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
Persistent faith finds joy in God, not in
circumstances (3:17-18). In a dramatic change in perspective, Habakkuk moves beyond
complaining to joyfully accept whatever the future holds.
Habakkuk realized it is better to live by faith in the midst of
desperate circumstances than to be self-reliant in prosperity.
Relying on God helps overcome the frustrations of life. What
frustrations do you have? How would it change your perspective to
rely on God rather than yourself to resolve those frustrations?
A military invasion would destroy all that the people needed to
live—crops, flocks, and cattle. But Habakkuk determined to
demonstrate persistent faith that found joy in God, not in
circumstances. Using Habakkuk’s words as an example (“Even
though . . .”), write your own declaration of faith in God no matter
what happens in life.
Despite outward circumstances, Habakkuk resolved to joyfully trust
the Lord. What does Philippians 4:4-7 say about how to experience
joy and peace? How is it possible to have joy and peace regardless
of circumstances? In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul says “I have learned
the secret of living in every situation.” What is the secret?
Even though the
fig trees have no
blossoms, and
there are no
grapes on the
vine; even
though the olive
crop fails, and
the fields lie
empty and
barren; even
though the flocks
die in the fields,
and the cattle
barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice
in the LORD! I will
be joyful in the
God of my
salvation
(Habakkuk3:17-
18).
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
Persistent faith relies on God’s strength for the
present crisis (3:19). With his new attitude of joyful acceptance of God’s plan, Habakkuk
knew that God would give him the strength to endure the
Babylonian invasion and the destruction of life as he knew it. He
could not endure it on his own strength, but God would be his
strength.
In similar fashion, Paul pleaded with God to take away a “thorn in
the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:8-10) but God said, “My gracious favor
is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” What
difficult circumstances does Paul list? Make a list of your own
difficult circumstances. If you’ve prayed and God has not changed
your circumstances, He might want to use your circumstances to
change you. Which do you think is true of your circumstances?
It’s easy to trust God when things are going well, but it takes
persistent faith to rely on God in the midst of difficult
circumstances. Habakkuk knew that God would not level the path
before him. There would be difficult terrain ahead. Though his own
footing was unstable, God would make him surefooted and see
him safely through the rocky road ahead. Compare Psalm 18:32-33
with Psalm 23:2-3. Which kind of path is God leading you on at this
point in your life?
The Sovereign
LORD is my
strength! He
will make me
as surefooted
as a deer and
bring me safely
over the
mountains
(Habakkuk
3:19).
No Matter What Happens: Ten Attributes of Persistent Faith (Habakkuk) © 2012 Christy Bower
www.ChristyBower.com
Bible Explorers If you would like to explore Habakkuk more on your own, here are
some suggestions for where you might begin. Then, follow your
curiosity like a good explorer and see where your studies lead you!
In a Bible dictionary, look up:
Habakkuk
Chaldeans
Babylonians
Check a Bible atlas to see how the Babylonians marched “across
the world to conquer it” (Habakkuk 1:6). A good Bible atlas will
provide a written description of the events related to the rise of
the Babylonian Empire.
Contact Christy The best way to get to know me is to meet me on Twitter
@christybower.
You can also read more of my writings on my blog at
www.christybower.com. And I have a contact form on my website
if you need to contact me personally.
You can even write to me:
Christy Bower
PO Box 983
Whitefish MT 59937
I love to hear from readers!
Go ahead, make my day!
How has the
study of
Habakkuk
strengthened
your resolve to
demonstrate
persistent faith,
no matter what
happens?
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