18/09/2013 September 18 Wednesday The just shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4) HABAKKUK’S FAMOUS VERSE (1) Habakkuk complained to the Lord about the sad moral and spiritual condition of God’s people in his time. There was “spoiling and violence … strife and contention” (Hab. 1:3). The Law was powerless and judgment was perverted. The Jews had been in the land for about 800 years, and God was very good to them, but their history for most of that period was one of rebellion. The Lord warned them through many prophets, but they hardened their hearts. One only needs to read Deuteronomy 28 to learn of the severe tragedies the Lord told them would happen if they continued to disobey Him. Finally the time came for their chastening through a wicked and very cruel nation, Babylon. This was a great surprise to Habakkuk, especially when God spoke of the power of the Babylonians and their determination to “possess dwelling-places that are not theirs” (Hab. 1:6). Needless to say, this is now happening to Christendom, and it will certainly get worse. What is the believer to do? The answer is: “But the just shall live by his faith” (Hab. 2:4). This statement appears in the Word of God four times, thus suggesting its importance. It appears in Habakkuk, Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews. This truth had a great effect on the Reformation. It came with great power to Martin Luther and delivered him from his useless and tiring attempts to obtain peace through his own efforts. It is not for the believer to be frightened or overly occupied with the problem. He is to trust in God and His wisdom and love. At the same time we know that God is holy, and that He rewards the nations that honor Him, while those who ignore Him must reap the fruits of their wickedness. Therefore we can have peace and joy, knowing that our citizenship is in heaven, “from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” A. M. Behnam
Posted on: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 11:57:14 +0000
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