Sound The Trumpet : Looking into the Word

Must Listen

Must Read

What Art Thinks

Pre-Millennialism

Today's Headlines

Sorry... Not Available

Locally Contributed...

Audio

Video

Special Interest

Commentary

11930

“Looking into the Word”
by Art Sadlier
March 24th, 2020

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:” Habakkuk 3:17

The prophet Habakkuk was given a message of destruction for Israel. Israel had forsaken the Lord in sin and disobedience and idolatry. The prophet brought the message of total destruction upon Israel and the land. The prophet said that he trembled at the prospect of the awful judgment that was about to come.

The judgment did come and there was not a living Jew alive in the land when it was over. The remnant that Nebuchadnezzar left in the land, fled to Egypt, where they also were destroyed.

Unrepented sin always brings judgment, even though it is often delayed. Sin brings judgment on individuals, upon families, upon nations and upon churches.

The sins of others often bring their consequences upon the innocent. We think particularly of the present hour. The apostasy of the Evangelical Church has wrought havoc in many lives and in many homes and it has confused the gospel message. The moral depravity of the nation has a polluting influence on the Christian home, and upon believers in general. The leaven of evil corrupts in such a slow and steady way that it is scarcely noticeable at first. By the time we wake up, for many it is too late.

In verse 17, Habakkuk lists the consequences of the judgment of God. The spiritual and moral foundations of the nation were destroyed. What is he to do? What are you and I to do in this hour of apostasy and decline? The answer comes in verses 18 and 19.

“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.” Habakkuk 3:18-19

First, he says, “I will rejoice,” God is still on the throne. Though others turn away from God I have not, and He is still my God. Though others are under the judgment of God, I am not. He says, I will joy and rejoice in my God.

Second, he says, God is my strength, He will bless me. He will make me to walk in my high places. The Lord will enable me to live in victory. In a wicked world that is under the judgment of God, I can live in triumph.

This trial had come into Habakkuk’s life because of the sin of others. The prophet’s attitude was one of acceptance of God’s workings in his life. He realized that what God allowed into his life and what God had denied him was for his ultimate blessing. The prophet ends the prophecy with a renewed committment to the Lord.

One day we shall bless God not more for what He has granted than for what He has denied. Although my trees are fruitless, No grapes are on the vine, Yet, Christ is all my fullness, And all His sweetness mine.

Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13