Date | Version | Reading Plan |
---|---|---|
@December 6, 2023 | ESV (2016) | ESV Prophets Plan 2023 |
Pericopes
- Habakkuk’s Prayer
- Habakkuk Rejoices in the Lord
Notes/Application
Habakkuk prays a lengthy prayer, acknowledging and standing in awe of God’s work and asking that He “remember mercy” (Hab. 3:2). Habakkuk recalls God’s movements and that “His splendor covered the mountains and the earth was full of his praise” (Hab. 3:3). Through the display of God’s power, the mountains writhed, the deep gave forth its voice and the sun and moon stood in their place. God threshed the nations in anger, a violent process and an apt illustration of God’s judgment. Habakkuk responded to God’s might with trembling and quivering and would wait quietly for the immanent invasion. Yet, come what may, whether the fig tree not blossom, olive tree fail to produce or there be no herds in the stalls, he will “rejoice in the LORD” and take joy in the God of his salvation.
What an amazing end to Habakkuk’s prayer! I was so struck by this today, both by its profundity and with how much I needed to hear it. In similar tenor as Job, it mattered not to Habakkuk if everything was taken away, he would still rejoice in the Lord. There was no earthly no suffering he had to endure that compared to the God of his salvation. Habakkuk here provides for us a wonderful model of unshakable faith. Nothing can stand against the surpassing love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is our Rock and faithful Shepherd through every storm. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)
Scripture Journal Notes
Commentaries & Resources Used
- ESV Study Bible. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2008)
- Faithlife Study Bible (Lexham Press, 2016)
- Believer’s Bible Commentary (Thomas Nelson, 2016)
- CSB Study Bible Notes (Holman Bible Publishers, 2017)
- Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible (Guardian Press, 1976)
- The Bible: A Reader’s Guide (Sterling Publishing, 2011)
- The Infographic Bible (Zondervan, 2018)
- ESV Digital Scripture Journal (Crossway, 2019)