The faith of the remnants of Israel

In the final passage of the book of Habakkuk, the faith of the remnant of Israel (true believers) is described. (1) Verse 16 says, “I heard, and my inner parts trembled; at the sound, my lips quivered. Decay enters my bones, and in my place I tremble.” The content of the prophecy up to this point was the Great Tribulation, the Battle of Armageddon, and the Second Coming of the Messiah. Hearing this, Habakkuk was afraid and trembled. (2) The reason he was afraid is that before the salvation of Israel is fulfilled, there will be the Great Tribulation and the Battle of Armageddon. After passing through these events, the Messiah’s return will take place. Sufferings that human power cannot overcome will come upon the people of Israel. (3) The latter half of verse 16 says, “Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress, For the people to arise who will attack us.” What Habakkuk (the believer) can do is only to wait quietly, in faith, for the fulfillment of God’s will.

The prayer of victory

It becomes clear at the end that the prayer of Habakkuk chapter 3 is actually a “prayer of victory.” (1) In the Great Tribulation, there will be a shortage of food. Figs, grapes, olives, and vegetables will no longer produce. Not only that, sheep and cattle will also disappear. Under normal circumstances, it would not be surprising if one began to doubt God. (2) In the midst of a hopeless situation, Habakkuk prays, “Yet I will triumph in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation” (v 18). Adversity drew Habakkuk closer to God. Here is true faith. (3) Verse 19 says, “The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like deer’s feet, and has me walk on my high places. For the choir director, on my stringed instruments.” “The Lord God is my strength” is an expression of absolute trust in God. “High places” refers to a place of blessing and safety. There are two central teachings in the book of Habakkuk. (1) “The righteous one will live by his faith” (2:4). Even when believers encounter situations they cannot understand, they move forward believing that God’s plan is best. (2) Things that seem incomprehensible or contradictory will all be resolved at the time of the Messiah’s return. Those who walk believing this are true believers.