Full Service

On being committed to faithfulness in the face of events that seem to hinder the fulfillment of God’s promises…

Two big questions in messy times:

How long do I cry for help and you don’t listen, you don’t save? Hab. 1:2

Not much longer—the apparent triumph of the wicked does not mean God has gone soft on sin-- everything has an appointed time (1:5-6,11; 2:2-3)

Why would you employ the wicked to execute judgment on your people? Hab. 1:12-13

Yes, I have appointed them to be my instruments of judgment – that they might prove themselves deserving of eternal banishment (2:3,14,16-20; cf. Ex. 14:4; Rom. 1:32; 3:19; 9:17-18), and that you might respond to the disciplining hand of God for eternal rescue (2:4,14; 3:16-18; Rom. 9:22-23).

In messy times, when your experiences seem to collide with your systematic theology, what do you need to remember?

1. The absence of judgment doesn’t mean judgment is permanently suspended. (Micah -> Habakkuk; Hezekiah -> Josiah [2Kgs 23:26-27; 24:2-4]).

• God gives the persistently wicked over to the destructive choices of their rebel hearts
• The apparent triumph of the wicked over you, may be the discipline of the Lord upon you…while he holds the wicked accountable

2. Nothing or no one is really rogue; revelation awaits an appointed time (2:3).

3. The righteous will live by his faith (2:4).

4. God desires covenant loyalty and not “contract” loyalty (3:17-19; cf. Dan 3:16-18,28).

So What? (adapted from M. Lloyd Jones)

In messy times…

• State your case and then look for God
• Revisit the truth about God (1:12,13)
• Reconsider the bigger picture of God’s great purposes
• Remain full of faith – still in the dark? TRUST!

PRINT