1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:02,080 Welcome to Common Ground one book. 2 00:00:02,240 --> 00:00:04,760 We are so glad you've joined us for today's message. 3 00:00:04,800 --> 00:00:07,760 Whether you're tuning in from home or catching up on another 4 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:11,360 goal, we pray that this word encourages you, strengthens your 5 00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:13,320 faith and draws you closer to God. 6 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:16,040 If you'd like to learn more about our church, connect with 7 00:00:16,040 --> 00:00:19,080 us or get involved, you will find all the details in the 8 00:00:19,080 --> 00:00:21,720 description. Now let's dive into today's 9 00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:22,400 message. Thank you, Stefan. 10 00:00:22,400 --> 00:00:27,400 Good morning, everyone. Good morning. 11 00:00:27,640 --> 00:00:30,800 So good to to see you all. We missed you last week. 12 00:00:31,400 --> 00:00:32,479 So it's good to be home. We'll. 13 00:00:34,240 --> 00:00:36,120 Be back here. Amen. 14 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:37,920 And so. If you have your bibles with 15 00:00:37,960 --> 00:00:40,040 you. Please turn with me to Habakkuk 16 00:00:40,040 --> 00:00:42,840 Chapter 1. Habakkuk is one of those. 17 00:00:42,840 --> 00:00:44,920 Books that take you. Two hours to find. 18 00:00:45,760 --> 00:00:47,840 So please feel free to go to the table. 19 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:52,160 Of contents and see what Habakkuk is and intend to. 20 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:55,920 Chapter. 1 and I know that. Stefan has walked. 21 00:00:55,920 --> 00:01:00,200 Through the introduction and. He worked through verse. 22 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:04,360 One and verse and to verse. 4 of Habakkuk chapter. 23 00:01:04,879 --> 00:01:06,920 One. And so this morning, we'll read. 24 00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:15,240 From verse 5 to verse. 11 look among the nations and see wonder 25 00:01:15,240 --> 00:01:19,400 and be astounded, for I am doing a work in your days that you 26 00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:22,160 would not. Believe if told, behold. 27 00:01:22,160 --> 00:01:26,320 I am raising up the Chaldeans that bitter and haste the nation 28 00:01:26,320 --> 00:01:28,480 who much. Through the breath of the earth 29 00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:31,040 to seize. The dwellings not their own. 30 00:01:31,560 --> 00:01:35,840 They are dreaded and fearsome. Their justice and dignity go 31 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:37,240 forth from. Themselves. 32 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:40,680 Their horses. Are swifter than leopards, more 33 00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:44,880 fierce than the evening wolves, their horsemen pressed proudly 34 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:47,840 on. Their horsemen come from afar. 35 00:01:48,160 --> 00:01:50,120 They. Fly like an eagle. 36 00:01:50,120 --> 00:01:53,880 Swift to devour they all. Come for violence. 37 00:01:54,320 --> 00:01:58,280 All their faces forward, they gather captives like. 38 00:01:58,280 --> 00:02:01,040 Sand at kings they. Scoff. 39 00:02:01,560 --> 00:02:04,840 And at rulers. They laugh, they laugh at their 40 00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:07,320 at every fortress, for they pile. 41 00:02:07,320 --> 00:02:10,639 Up earth and take it. Then they sweep by like the 42 00:02:10,639 --> 00:02:15,880 wind, and go on guilty man, whose own might is their God. 43 00:02:17,240 --> 00:02:20,800 Lord, we are so. Grateful this morning to to sit 44 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:23,200 under your. Word this is. 45 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:26,440 The word. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, 46 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:31,040 this is our Lord the. Infallible Word. 47 00:02:32,480 --> 00:02:35,440 And so, Lord, we ask this morning, that come and dwell 48 00:02:35,440 --> 00:02:38,560 among us through the preaching of Your Word. 49 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:42,360 Instruct. Our hearts of God. 50 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:46,680 This morning we want to hear from you Lord this morning, so 51 00:02:46,680 --> 00:02:50,760 please come and speak to us in Jesus name, Amen. 52 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:55,680 Few years. Ago I heard a. 53 00:02:55,720 --> 00:02:57,840 Pastor. Theologian by the name. 54 00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:01,480 Of Gerald's sister. He was sharing a story, perhaps, 55 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:05,800 that I will never. Forget, he says. 56 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:08,320 In 1991. He was. 57 00:03:08,320 --> 00:03:16,240 Driving with his family and it so happens that a drunk driver 58 00:03:17,320 --> 00:03:22,760 hit them. In the car was his mother, his 59 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:28,200 children and his wife. All of them died and the 60 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:30,560 jealous. Sister reflects. 61 00:03:30,640 --> 00:03:35,400 On what had happened, he writes the following in the early. 62 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:40,000 Hours that followed the initial shock gave way. 63 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:46,800 To unspeakable agony, I. Felt dizzy with grief, Vertigo 64 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:52,200 cut off from. Family and friends tormented by 65 00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:56,400 the loss, not just from pain after arriving from. 66 00:03:56,400 --> 00:04:00,440 Hospital I paced the floor like a caged. 67 00:04:00,440 --> 00:04:04,520 Animal and then he. Says I was so bewildered that I 68 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:08,160 was. Unable to voice questions or 69 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:11,560 think rationally and as he. Shared that story. 70 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:15,840 He shares that story. Crying for he has lost. 71 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:20,920 His entire family in the split of a second when we think about 72 00:04:20,920 --> 00:04:23,120 Christianity and perhaps we consider. 73 00:04:23,320 --> 00:04:27,320 This story, this. Morning we may. 74 00:04:27,320 --> 00:04:31,960 As well also feel like Habakkuk who has a lot of. 75 00:04:31,960 --> 00:04:34,680 Questions. That. 76 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:38,880 All of us often ask God. Questions that God please. 77 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:42,560 Give us answers. To the questions that we have. 78 00:04:43,760 --> 00:04:46,920 For all of us, and perhaps some of us this morning may desire 79 00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:50,800 ease and quick answers from God. And say God, where are you 80 00:04:51,360 --> 00:04:54,920 please? Speak to me and some of us may 81 00:04:54,920 --> 00:04:58,240 even bargain with God and say. God if I do. 82 00:04:58,240 --> 00:05:01,640 This and that, surely you will answer me. 83 00:05:02,840 --> 00:05:05,760 For some of us we may say God. You know. 84 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:09,800 I am your. Child, therefore, I deserve to 85 00:05:09,800 --> 00:05:12,920 be healthy, to be wise, to be safe. 86 00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:16,880 Not only that. Oh God, but I deserve to be 87 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:18,960 protected. From the forces. 88 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:25,040 Of darkness we all. Have an expectation of. 89 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:29,720 How God ought to act, We expect it. 90 00:05:30,840 --> 00:05:34,560 As you will see in Habakkuk, God does not often. 91 00:05:34,600 --> 00:05:37,600 Act the way. We want him to act. 92 00:05:38,360 --> 00:05:41,440 For many of us, even this morning, as we even look at Cape 93 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:44,520 Town and think about our own country, that on. 94 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:47,240 Tuesday this week. And Wednesday this. 95 00:05:47,240 --> 00:05:52,400 Week about. 30 matters were reported in Cape Town and it 96 00:05:52,920 --> 00:05:55,880 may. Feel as though that evil is. 97 00:05:55,880 --> 00:05:57,760 Winning. That sin is winning, that 98 00:05:57,880 --> 00:06:02,920 wickedness is winning. And in those moments. 99 00:06:02,920 --> 00:06:07,280 We ask ourselves, God, where are you? 100 00:06:07,760 --> 00:06:13,320 As innocent people die in our city and as I was reflecting on 101 00:06:13,320 --> 00:06:15,720 that. Isaiah chapter 55. 102 00:06:15,720 --> 00:06:17,720 Came to my mind. For it says. 103 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:23,720 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways. 104 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:27,320 And so we may ask ourselves. The question this morning. 105 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:30,600 Why is this? Happening to me. 106 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:35,480 Why is this even taking? Place, but the bigger question. 107 00:06:35,480 --> 00:06:38,720 We often ask is. Does God care? 108 00:06:40,280 --> 00:06:42,480 Why? Do the wicked. 109 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:45,520 Seem to. Prosper, but the righteous seem 110 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:48,200 to suffer. God where? 111 00:06:48,800 --> 00:06:52,840 Are you in our Dark World? Where are you? 112 00:06:53,280 --> 00:06:57,280 As you would see in the moment that Habakkuk is struggling with 113 00:06:57,280 --> 00:06:59,200 this question, he's struggling with the nature. 114 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:00,520 Of God. He's struggling. 115 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:03,640 With the character of. God because what he is about to 116 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:06,080 see. To him, doesn't seem to align. 117 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:09,600 With his theology, but. Also with his knowledge of the 118 00:07:09,600 --> 00:07:12,280 Triune and so the the. Prophet. 119 00:07:12,600 --> 00:07:15,400 Is confronted with this and so as we. 120 00:07:15,400 --> 00:07:17,040 Read. Habakug, I want to give you a 121 00:07:17,120 --> 00:07:20,600 sense and I know that Stefan has has hammered some of this. 122 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:23,280 I want the rabbit stamp and perhaps he remind you. 123 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:25,920 That Habakug writes. In a time, in fact. 124 00:07:25,920 --> 00:07:27,920 This is a prophet. Of lament. 125 00:07:28,360 --> 00:07:31,800 He's writing in a time. Where Israel has backslidden. 126 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:34,560 Where there is moral. Decay where there is. 127 00:07:34,560 --> 00:07:39,880 Wickedness and violence and where injustice has gone 128 00:07:40,040 --> 00:07:43,720 rampant. There, in the brink of invasion, 129 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:49,880 the economy is collapsing, there is famine, and Hapakog writes at 130 00:07:49,880 --> 00:07:53,280 a time where the Law of Moses. Is paralyzed. 131 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:56,880 The Torah is neglected. Where good? 132 00:07:56,880 --> 00:08:00,440 Men are silent and. Evil has the stage. 133 00:08:00,920 --> 00:08:03,600 Where justice is not. Upheld by. 134 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:07,520 Those who are entrusted. To uphold it, the. 135 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:10,960 Courts would punish the innocent and they would release. 136 00:08:10,960 --> 00:08:12,920 The guilty. The judges. 137 00:08:12,920 --> 00:08:17,960 Would ignore the powerful and the connected and in fact 138 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:19,800 punish. The weak. 139 00:08:20,360 --> 00:08:25,120 And the poor not only that, the people of God and the kings at 140 00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:28,080 this time would take their children, and they would go to 141 00:08:28,080 --> 00:08:32,240 the altar and sacrifice their. Kids to the go. 142 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:37,840 False God Molech At this time, God is watching all of. 143 00:08:37,840 --> 00:08:40,640 This that, as he. Looks at the temple, he is not 144 00:08:40,640 --> 00:08:42,840 seeing the true worship. That ought to be there. 145 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:46,040 Rather, there is false worship at the. 146 00:08:46,040 --> 00:08:49,720 Temple. And so Habakkuk is finding 147 00:08:49,720 --> 00:08:53,920 himself at the point where he's going to pray and come before 148 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:57,880 God because he's hoping God will do something about. 149 00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:02,920 This that the people of God. Are no longer worshipping truly, 150 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:07,000 but Russia religion has. Become ritualistic. 151 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:10,560 They simply do it. Because they are Jews. 152 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:12,920 And the people. Of God have become. 153 00:09:12,920 --> 00:09:20,360 More wicked and God raised this man by the name of Habakkuk. 154 00:09:20,920 --> 00:09:24,880 A servant of God, A prophet. To go and speak. 155 00:09:25,440 --> 00:09:28,520 And this is a dialogue. Between him and God, but to 156 00:09:28,520 --> 00:09:31,800 communicate the message of. God to God's people. 157 00:09:32,280 --> 00:09:35,560 And if you know something about the Old Testament, prophets were 158 00:09:35,560 --> 00:09:38,640 not very popular. Prophets were never the darlings 159 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:39,360 of the. World. 160 00:09:39,920 --> 00:09:43,640 Rather often pop prophets were spoken against and often people 161 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:46,000 wanted to stone their prophets. Because they were. 162 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:48,360 Speaking the very word. Of God. 163 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:50,640 And God raises this. Prophet. 164 00:09:50,760 --> 00:09:53,120 His name means. In fact, his name means an 165 00:09:53,120 --> 00:09:55,160 Embracer. Because Habakkuk. 166 00:09:55,160 --> 00:09:59,640 Is going to embrace the burden of Judah the burden? 167 00:09:59,800 --> 00:10:03,520 Of Israel, of a people. That have gone astray. 168 00:10:04,160 --> 00:10:09,080 But also he will. Embrace his strong faith in God. 169 00:10:10,360 --> 00:10:11,920 Here is the challenge for Habakkuk. 170 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:14,920 He knows. God is good. 171 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:17,120 And yet. What he sees. 172 00:10:17,120 --> 00:10:21,800 Around him makes him struggle to connect. 173 00:10:21,800 --> 00:10:25,440 That with the character of God as you would see. 174 00:10:26,400 --> 00:10:27,280 And so. As you read. 175 00:10:27,280 --> 00:10:30,840 Chapter 1 and chapter. Two, you will see that this is a 176 00:10:30,880 --> 00:10:33,840 dialogue A. Conversation between Habakkuk 177 00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:37,520 and God in chapter 3. You will see that Habakkuk 178 00:10:37,560 --> 00:10:39,280 prays. He not only prays. 179 00:10:39,280 --> 00:10:42,520 But he writes a poem, a. Poem in a form of. 180 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:44,640 Worship that's ought to be played with. 181 00:10:44,760 --> 00:10:48,880 An instrument. And so that's what we see that 182 00:10:48,880 --> 00:10:50,560 he. Is going to complain. 183 00:10:51,280 --> 00:10:54,280 But yet that complaint. Is going to be forward. 184 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:57,320 By Habakkuk's faith. That is presented in. 185 00:10:57,320 --> 00:11:04,360 Chapter 3. So what's happening here from a 186 00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:08,680 prophets perspective, seeing all of that is happening, all of 187 00:11:08,680 --> 00:11:13,040 that that is taking place, he wants God to do something about 188 00:11:13,040 --> 00:11:16,760 the violence and the injustice. He's saying God, why do you 189 00:11:16,760 --> 00:11:18,840 allow people to blasphemy? Your name? 190 00:11:19,280 --> 00:11:21,760 Why do you allow violence? Why? 191 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:23,040 Do you allow this? Kind of. 192 00:11:23,040 --> 00:11:24,440 False worship. Why? 193 00:11:24,440 --> 00:11:27,800 Don't you do something? About this Lord evil. 194 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:31,880 Is advancing and yet you are silent God, Why? 195 00:11:32,080 --> 00:11:34,360 Does it feel? As though you are inactive. 196 00:11:35,480 --> 00:11:41,000 God do something. Let me ask you a question this 197 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:42,280 morning. How do? 198 00:11:42,280 --> 00:11:45,320 You feel. When God does not. 199 00:11:45,320 --> 00:11:47,520 Meet your. Expectations. 200 00:11:49,960 --> 00:11:52,840 I know how I would feel, but I'm asking how. 201 00:11:53,280 --> 00:11:57,720 Do you feel? When the when we want God to do 202 00:11:57,720 --> 00:12:00,960 something, to act on something and it feels. 203 00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:07,560 As though God is silent. As though God has deserted us. 204 00:12:08,080 --> 00:12:09,960 As though God. Is no longer. 205 00:12:10,240 --> 00:12:12,280 With us how? Do we reconcile? 206 00:12:12,480 --> 00:12:15,760 God's character with the reality that we face. 207 00:12:16,040 --> 00:12:20,520 Now. And so Habakkuk cries in verse 208 00:12:20,520 --> 00:12:22,560 2. How long, O Lord? 209 00:12:23,680 --> 00:12:26,600 Will I cry for help? And you will not hear me. 210 00:12:26,880 --> 00:12:30,440 I cry out to you, violence, yet you do. 211 00:12:30,560 --> 00:12:31,760 Not. Save. 212 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:35,040 Habakkuk is confused. Lord, I'm crying out to you. 213 00:12:35,560 --> 00:12:40,560 Why are you? Not answering me, you see what 214 00:12:40,560 --> 00:12:43,040 is happening. Therefore, God act. 215 00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:51,000 Challenging part is that when our own knowledge of God when 216 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:53,640 our own. Theology of God is tested. 217 00:12:54,200 --> 00:12:57,000 When we know something of. God, but yet. 218 00:12:57,000 --> 00:13:00,400 We don't feel like God is answering our prayers. 219 00:13:00,880 --> 00:13:03,280 Have you been in a place, perhaps even this morning, where 220 00:13:03,280 --> 00:13:06,320 you feel, God, I need your answer now. 221 00:13:07,280 --> 00:13:09,040 I we need that. My wife and I, just like 222 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:11,680 Stephen, prayed for us. It's like, Lord, come on, you 223 00:13:11,680 --> 00:13:15,240 know, do something. You know our situation. 224 00:13:15,480 --> 00:13:19,280 Do something and and you may be in a in a similar place and 225 00:13:19,280 --> 00:13:23,440 position this morning where you want God to act God do something 226 00:13:23,440 --> 00:13:25,240 for some of us this morning We want to make. 227 00:13:25,520 --> 00:13:27,160 Big decisions. And we want God. 228 00:13:27,280 --> 00:13:28,400 To direct our. Path. 229 00:13:28,400 --> 00:13:32,040 As we make those good decisions, we know God. 230 00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:35,240 Is good. But in that moment it feels 231 00:13:35,240 --> 00:13:36,720 though God. Why are you slow? 232 00:13:38,040 --> 00:13:39,840 Why are you not answering my prayer now? 233 00:13:39,840 --> 00:13:42,040 God, you know my health is not that great. 234 00:13:42,040 --> 00:13:46,280 Why are you not healing me now? Because that's what I expect. 235 00:13:46,440 --> 00:13:51,440 When the knowledge of. God is at odds with reality. 236 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:56,720 And sometimes we. Feel that way as though God is. 237 00:13:56,720 --> 00:13:59,600 Silent can I say you are not alone? 238 00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:03,800 Habakkuk felt that way, as though God. 239 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:09,600 Is silent, We must remember, as we read the major and the minor. 240 00:14:09,600 --> 00:14:12,000 Prophets in the Bible that God was always. 241 00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:15,400 Warning his people to turn away from sin. 242 00:14:16,160 --> 00:14:17,600 He was. Always warning his. 243 00:14:17,600 --> 00:14:20,080 People to. Not to rebel, not. 244 00:14:20,080 --> 00:14:23,160 To disobey, we see. That in Jeremiah, Ezekiel and 245 00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:25,880 Zephaniah and other prophets where God says come on guys, 246 00:14:26,120 --> 00:14:31,680 come to me, turn away from your wickedness and come to me and 247 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:32,960 often. The people of God. 248 00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:37,720 Ignored God. They would go back to their 249 00:14:37,720 --> 00:14:41,760 false gods. Over and over committing. 250 00:14:41,760 --> 00:14:46,120 Spiritual adultery and yet. God will continue to say come to 251 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:50,400 me, come to me, the point I want us to see. 252 00:14:50,400 --> 00:14:54,640 Here is that God? Is not going to ignore. 253 00:14:55,520 --> 00:14:58,760 Habakkuk's prayer God. Is going to deal. 254 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:00,680 With it, here's the. Point. 255 00:15:01,640 --> 00:15:07,840 God does not ignore rebellion. God does not ignore sin. 256 00:15:08,400 --> 00:15:13,720 God does not ignore wickedness. Let me remind. 257 00:15:13,720 --> 00:15:17,800 You if we're. Involved in shady business 258 00:15:17,800 --> 00:15:20,880 deals? God does not ignore that. 259 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:24,680 He'll deal with it. When we are involved in 260 00:15:24,680 --> 00:15:30,240 fraudulent activities, we will one day have God's attention. 261 00:15:30,760 --> 00:15:34,240 When we abuse power. When we steal from the poor, 262 00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:36,200 when we take. Bribes when we lie. 263 00:15:36,200 --> 00:15:39,520 Cheat and steal. Can I say one day we will? 264 00:15:39,560 --> 00:15:43,440 Have. God's attention, Judah. 265 00:15:43,760 --> 00:15:45,840 Had God's. Attention. 266 00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:48,160 He did not ignore what they'd done. 267 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:50,480 God says I'm going to. Deal with it. 268 00:15:51,480 --> 00:15:54,120 Let's be reminded common ground Weinberg this morning. 269 00:15:55,600 --> 00:15:59,280 That God deals. With these things, he does not 270 00:15:59,480 --> 00:16:01,600 ignore it if we think we. Will get away with it. 271 00:16:02,880 --> 00:16:04,680 We will not. Get away with it. 272 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:07,160 Why? Because God is. 273 00:16:07,240 --> 00:16:13,360 Always interested in purifying. His church he's not. 274 00:16:13,360 --> 00:16:15,680 Standing on the sideline. But he wants to. 275 00:16:15,720 --> 00:16:20,160 Purify his church and purify his people. 276 00:16:21,840 --> 00:16:29,040 And so we see in that verse one and verse. 4 if Habakkuk. 277 00:16:29,040 --> 00:16:32,640 'S complaint and God is reminding Habakkuk. 278 00:16:32,640 --> 00:16:34,560 Now listen, I'm going to answer you. 279 00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:39,120 It's quite interesting that God never takes a nap. 280 00:16:39,960 --> 00:16:43,920 God never goes on a vacation. He's listening. 281 00:16:44,680 --> 00:16:50,840 But also God will act. And Habakkuk at this point in 282 00:16:50,840 --> 00:16:51,800 time. He is. 283 00:16:51,800 --> 00:16:55,600 Expecting an answer that God deal with this and God says OK, 284 00:16:55,920 --> 00:16:57,280 I'm going to deal with it in verse. 285 00:16:57,280 --> 00:16:59,200 Five, he says. OK, this is what I'm going to do 286 00:16:59,200 --> 00:17:01,120 Habakkuk. Listen to me, look at the 287 00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:03,960 nations and observe. Be utterly astounded, for I am 288 00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:06,920 doing a work in your days that you would not never believe if 289 00:17:06,920 --> 00:17:09,960 someone told you. God is like saying Habakkuk I. 290 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:12,400 Am going to do something but guess what? 291 00:17:12,480 --> 00:17:15,280 What I'm about to do, Habakkuk, you're not going to believe. 292 00:17:16,800 --> 00:17:20,200 In fact, it's going to take. You by surprise. 293 00:17:20,640 --> 00:17:22,560 And he tells him in verse 6 what he's going to do. 294 00:17:22,760 --> 00:17:25,200 Notice that for behold, I am raising the. 295 00:17:25,240 --> 00:17:27,839 Chaldeans. That fierce and violent people 296 00:17:27,839 --> 00:17:31,320 who marched throughout the earth and sees dwelling places which 297 00:17:31,360 --> 00:17:33,800 are not. Theirs so habakkuk. 298 00:17:34,520 --> 00:17:36,840 Judah has sinned. People of. 299 00:17:36,840 --> 00:17:38,560 God has sinned. Guess what? 300 00:17:39,280 --> 00:17:40,720 I'm going to raise. Up. 301 00:17:41,640 --> 00:17:43,680 Babylonians. The Chaldeans. 302 00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:45,520 And guess what they're going to do? 303 00:17:46,240 --> 00:17:49,600 They're going to be my discipline to my people. 304 00:17:51,480 --> 00:17:54,080 This does not make sense. How does? 305 00:17:54,080 --> 00:17:56,360 God. Take an evil nation. 306 00:17:56,960 --> 00:17:58,680 To. Discipline his own people. 307 00:17:58,680 --> 00:17:59,720 And God said I'm going to do that. 308 00:18:00,320 --> 00:18:03,000 I'm going to take Babylon. And they will chastise. 309 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:07,320 You, they will discipline you. I'm going to use an evil nation 310 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:10,160 for my good and for my own purposes. 311 00:18:10,160 --> 00:18:13,400 Why you need this discipline? And I was saying. 312 00:18:13,800 --> 00:18:18,240 What? Of all things God can do, you're 313 00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:20,680 going to. Use the Chaldeans, these guys. 314 00:18:21,800 --> 00:18:24,760 God says yes. I'm going to use them. 315 00:18:26,440 --> 00:18:30,840 Isn't it quite interesting that when we often we expect God to 316 00:18:30,840 --> 00:18:36,640 answer our prayers in a specific way and God surprises us in how 317 00:18:37,000 --> 00:18:40,200 he answers us? For some of you, oh Lord, you 318 00:18:40,200 --> 00:18:43,600 know, you know, take me to Mauritius. 319 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:45,640 I want to go and plant a church in Mauritius. 320 00:18:46,400 --> 00:18:47,880 And then he says no, no, no, no, no, no. 321 00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:49,240 Just you go into the Middle East, buddy. 322 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:53,200 That's where you need it. OK. 323 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:58,280 And so sometimes God answers in unexpected ways. 324 00:18:59,720 --> 00:19:03,640 Abakuk needed an answer. God gives him an answer, but 325 00:19:03,640 --> 00:19:04,200 it's. Not what he. 326 00:19:04,200 --> 00:19:08,840 Expected. Sometimes God answers in ways in 327 00:19:08,840 --> 00:19:12,680 which do not align with our own aspirations. 328 00:19:14,160 --> 00:19:17,600 We have plans, we have dreams and all these kind of things. 329 00:19:18,200 --> 00:19:21,840 But sometimes God does things in his own way. 330 00:19:22,520 --> 00:19:25,160 I remember Simon Pettit, some of you might might know him or not 331 00:19:25,160 --> 00:19:26,800 know him. He was part of the he was one of 332 00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:28,680 the founders of Jubilee Community Church. 333 00:19:29,200 --> 00:19:32,960 I remember him saying something along the lines that we are not 334 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:36,160 safe in the hands of God and he was not. 335 00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:37,280 Talking about. Protection. 336 00:19:37,280 --> 00:19:41,080 In that sense, he was actually saying sometimes God can do 337 00:19:41,080 --> 00:19:45,320 things that you do not expect. God can shake your world in a 338 00:19:45,320 --> 00:19:48,240 moment. God can take you in An 339 00:19:48,240 --> 00:19:56,680 Unexpected Journey in a moment. God does that at times. 340 00:19:57,440 --> 00:20:00,920 In addition, George Mueller, who was an evangelist in England 341 00:20:00,920 --> 00:20:05,600 between the 1800s, he made a statement in one of his books. 342 00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:08,280 He says the following. That he. 343 00:20:08,320 --> 00:20:12,120 He prayed. He made 50,000 requests to God 344 00:20:12,360 --> 00:20:14,680 and 30,000. Of those requests. 345 00:20:14,920 --> 00:20:17,640 Were answered in one hour or in one day. 346 00:20:18,840 --> 00:20:22,600 Oh man, I. Wish out of 50. 1000 Gods 347 00:20:22,600 --> 00:20:27,360 Answers 30,000 in one hour or in one day. 348 00:20:27,400 --> 00:20:29,800 And those who know church history will know that. 349 00:20:30,040 --> 00:20:32,720 That's true. This man was looking after 350 00:20:32,720 --> 00:20:35,240 orphans and vulnerable children, and he was having. 351 00:20:35,240 --> 00:20:38,480 Provisions every day. Things that he was praying for. 352 00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:41,560 So God at times answers in unexpected. 353 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:44,400 Way so God will raise up the Chaldeans to. 354 00:20:45,080 --> 00:20:47,920 Discipline God's people. This is unthinkable. 355 00:20:48,120 --> 00:20:50,120 To Habakkuk how? Can you? 356 00:20:50,360 --> 00:20:54,600 Do this. And God says I am going to do 357 00:20:54,600 --> 00:20:57,040 this. I'm going to use an evil nation 358 00:20:57,040 --> 00:21:00,120 to fulfill my purpose, the godless. 359 00:21:00,120 --> 00:21:04,640 People will achieve. My plan, God says I am going to 360 00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:07,440 do it and Habakkuk is going to be big. 361 00:21:09,240 --> 00:21:14,720 And then God not only tells her about what he's going to do, he 362 00:21:14,720 --> 00:21:18,080 tells them the kind. Of people the Chaldeans are. 363 00:21:18,440 --> 00:21:20,120 I mean, it's like God is making it worse. 364 00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:23,400 Like, guys, I'm going to discipline you, but can I tell 365 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:25,920 you the guys that are coming are violent? 366 00:21:28,680 --> 00:21:29,760 What? God not only telling us that 367 00:21:29,760 --> 00:21:31,640 you're going to discipline us, but you're telling us the guys 368 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:34,840 that are coming are so violent. They are hasty, they are. 369 00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:38,240 Arrogant and you think you're going to use them and God from 370 00:21:38,240 --> 00:21:40,600 verse? 6 to verse 11. 371 00:21:40,760 --> 00:21:45,200 Describes this army to us, not just some of the descriptions it 372 00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:49,040 gives. From verse 6 to verse. 11 from 373 00:21:49,040 --> 00:21:53,320 verse 6 it describes this army. As bitter, as hasty, as fierce, 374 00:21:53,360 --> 00:21:55,520 as ruthless. And as violent. 375 00:21:55,920 --> 00:21:57,160 God says. They do not. 376 00:21:57,160 --> 00:21:59,640 Care these guys. They are impulsive. 377 00:21:59,800 --> 00:22:04,400 They are reckless. And they conquer kingdoms and 378 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:06,760 conquer. People. 379 00:22:07,960 --> 00:22:10,880 And not just in verse 7. He describes them as 380 00:22:11,080 --> 00:22:12,240 lawlessness. This. 381 00:22:12,240 --> 00:22:15,640 Is a lawlessness. Army, they do not follow any 382 00:22:15,640 --> 00:22:17,000 standard because they don't have. 383 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:19,280 The Torah. These are unbelievers they don't 384 00:22:19,280 --> 00:22:20,000 have. The Torah. 385 00:22:20,160 --> 00:22:22,000 They are feared. They are law. 386 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:24,760 Unto themselves, saying I'm bringing them to you. 387 00:22:25,640 --> 00:22:27,480 I mean, I would be. I'm thinking probably Habaku. 388 00:22:27,480 --> 00:22:31,160 Would be afraid to hear this. And God says, not only that I'm 389 00:22:31,160 --> 00:22:34,480 not done, there's something else I want you to know about this 390 00:22:34,560 --> 00:22:36,960 army. Habagog They are fast. 391 00:22:37,480 --> 00:22:39,480 They are quick. From verse 8. 392 00:22:39,640 --> 00:22:42,600 They are fast, they are quick. They. 393 00:22:42,600 --> 00:22:44,160 Descend on their enemies like an. 394 00:22:44,160 --> 00:22:48,200 Eagle with precision. What an army. 395 00:22:49,920 --> 00:22:51,600 God says. They're coming to Judah. 396 00:22:52,040 --> 00:22:54,640 They're coming to deal with you. If that's not enough, God says 397 00:22:54,640 --> 00:22:56,400 no, I'm not done. There's something else I want to 398 00:22:56,400 --> 00:22:58,120 tell you about this army, Habagog. 399 00:22:58,680 --> 00:23:02,720 They are formidable. As you see in verse 9, they are. 400 00:23:02,880 --> 00:23:06,080 Violent, these guys. Are violent, they come. 401 00:23:06,080 --> 00:23:08,720 For your spoils. They are ruthless. 402 00:23:08,720 --> 00:23:13,520 They love brutality. They love to conquer nations, 403 00:23:14,440 --> 00:23:19,600 and the description there seems to indicate no one can stop this 404 00:23:19,840 --> 00:23:24,160 army. They come, they capture, and 405 00:23:24,160 --> 00:23:26,480 they. Kill OK God. 406 00:23:26,840 --> 00:23:30,080 That should be enough. No, that's not enough, Habakkuk. 407 00:23:30,280 --> 00:23:31,520 They're coming to do something else. 408 00:23:31,600 --> 00:23:33,680 I want you to know something. Your kings. 409 00:23:34,360 --> 00:23:37,160 This army does not care about your kings. 410 00:23:37,640 --> 00:23:39,400 They mock your kings. They. 411 00:23:39,400 --> 00:23:40,760 Laugh at your. Kings. 412 00:23:41,520 --> 00:23:45,920 They take everything. Your kings are a joke to them. 413 00:23:45,960 --> 00:23:47,640 They will take your city, and they will. 414 00:23:47,640 --> 00:23:50,320 Destroy it. They don't care about. 415 00:23:50,320 --> 00:23:53,640 Authority. And so you, your kingdoms, mean 416 00:23:53,800 --> 00:23:55,720 nothing, and said. Guess what, Habakkuk. 417 00:23:56,120 --> 00:23:59,720 I'm bringing them to Judah and in bringing them they are going 418 00:23:59,720 --> 00:24:04,680 to discipline my. People who've. 419 00:24:04,680 --> 00:24:13,200 Turned away from me. We must be reminded over and 420 00:24:13,200 --> 00:24:18,160 over regarding. God's justice, God. 421 00:24:18,160 --> 00:24:23,480 Is merciful God is loving God is compassionate, God is gracious. 422 00:24:23,480 --> 00:24:25,840 God is good. God is wonderful. 423 00:24:26,920 --> 00:24:33,880 But God is also. Just God at times will. 424 00:24:33,880 --> 00:24:37,120 Express. His goodness through punishing. 425 00:24:37,480 --> 00:24:44,400 Evil God does that. The best picture. 426 00:24:45,240 --> 00:24:48,000 Of the one who took upon himself. 427 00:24:48,280 --> 00:24:51,440 God's. Justice is Christ himself, 428 00:24:52,880 --> 00:24:59,000 Christ who is innocent, and man had sinned against God, man. 429 00:24:59,000 --> 00:25:03,800 Had decoded God and. Now man needed to be reconciled 430 00:25:03,800 --> 00:25:07,680 to God and because. God is the just God. 431 00:25:07,680 --> 00:25:09,600 You can't just say OK, it's. Fine, let. 432 00:25:09,600 --> 00:25:13,160 Let's let bygones be. Bygones know the penalty of sin 433 00:25:13,600 --> 00:25:15,280 must be. Paid. 434 00:25:15,600 --> 00:25:18,200 Someone must pay the penalty of sin and so. 435 00:25:18,200 --> 00:25:20,800 Christ will take. Upon himself the wrath. 436 00:25:20,840 --> 00:25:22,240 Of God he will. Drink. 437 00:25:22,360 --> 00:25:26,360 The cup of suffering. And taking upon himself. 438 00:25:26,520 --> 00:25:31,560 God's justice, because that is God's character. 439 00:25:31,760 --> 00:25:33,880 He is not only. Good, but God is. 440 00:25:33,880 --> 00:25:41,120 Also just and so God must. Deal with evil. 441 00:25:43,640 --> 00:25:45,240 And can I remind us this morning? 442 00:25:45,880 --> 00:25:51,720 That he will deal with it. Even for some of us this morning 443 00:25:51,720 --> 00:25:55,680 who think. Perhaps God is. 444 00:25:55,680 --> 00:25:59,240 Distant and absent cannot say he may not deal with it now, or in 445 00:25:59,240 --> 00:26:01,000 a manner that we expect him to deal with. 446 00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:04,440 But he will deal. With it, notice in Revelations 447 00:26:04,440 --> 00:26:08,520 2012 and I saw the dead, the great and small standing before 448 00:26:08,520 --> 00:26:12,000 the throne, and books were open. Then another book was open, 449 00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:14,160 which is the book. Of life and the dead were judged 450 00:26:14,400 --> 00:26:16,600 by what was. Written in the books according. 451 00:26:16,760 --> 00:26:18,360 To what they had. Done. 452 00:26:19,040 --> 00:26:21,000 To. What they had done. 453 00:26:21,840 --> 00:26:27,760 The books will be. Open according to what they had 454 00:26:28,160 --> 00:26:32,120 done. Matthew 12. 36 I tell. 455 00:26:32,120 --> 00:26:35,280 You on the day of judgment, people will give an account. 456 00:26:35,920 --> 00:26:41,640 For every careless word they speak, at least yes, it's 12. 14 457 00:26:41,800 --> 00:26:47,080 God will bring every deed into judgment, probably 521 a man's 458 00:26:47,080 --> 00:26:48,680 ways before. The eyes of the Lord. 459 00:26:49,120 --> 00:26:52,960 The Lord sees everything. God. 460 00:26:53,000 --> 00:26:56,920 Will bring his justice to the earth one day. 461 00:26:57,640 --> 00:27:02,280 He will do it. Just like he's doing it to the 462 00:27:02,280 --> 00:27:08,400 southern Kingdom of Judah. He will do it judge when we 463 00:27:08,400 --> 00:27:10,920 watch our. Television and we see the 464 00:27:10,920 --> 00:27:12,880 corruption. As we watch the. 465 00:27:12,880 --> 00:27:14,360 Different commissions. That we have. 466 00:27:14,360 --> 00:27:17,400 In the ad hoc committee and we see the corruption in our nation 467 00:27:17,520 --> 00:27:19,400 and perhaps in other nations as well. 468 00:27:19,560 --> 00:27:23,480 Can I say to you one day, God? Will deal with that. 469 00:27:24,640 --> 00:27:29,200 God will deal with wickedness. God will deal with evil doers. 470 00:27:29,360 --> 00:27:31,760 He will deal. With unrepentant murderers and 471 00:27:31,760 --> 00:27:35,520 criminals and wicked president, one day all of them will stand 472 00:27:35,520 --> 00:27:38,000 before God and they will give an account. 473 00:27:38,000 --> 00:27:39,640 God. Will deal with it. 474 00:27:40,240 --> 00:27:41,880 God will bring about his justice. 475 00:27:41,880 --> 00:27:44,480 It is not for us to say, Lord, do it now, do it now. 476 00:27:44,480 --> 00:27:47,120 No, the Lord will bring. His justice. 477 00:27:47,120 --> 00:27:50,880 He is a righteous God. He'll do it. 478 00:27:51,920 --> 00:27:54,640 All of them one day will account and will stand. 479 00:27:54,880 --> 00:27:57,600 Before God first. Corinthians 4-5 says therefore 480 00:27:57,600 --> 00:27:59,520 judge nothing before the appointed time. 481 00:27:59,720 --> 00:28:02,160 Wait until the Lord comes. He will bring. 482 00:28:02,160 --> 00:28:04,320 To light what is. Heathen in darkness and will 483 00:28:04,320 --> 00:28:06,840 expose the motors of the heart and at that time. 484 00:28:06,840 --> 00:28:12,480 Each will receive their praise. From God I know at times it made 485 00:28:12,480 --> 00:28:16,680 feel as though we want to take up arms and go and fight, but 486 00:28:16,680 --> 00:28:22,880 can I say leave it in the hands? Of God, God will. 487 00:28:22,880 --> 00:28:26,280 Bring his justice unto this earth number. 488 00:28:26,280 --> 00:28:31,440 Two perhaps also be. Reminded to trust in God's 489 00:28:31,440 --> 00:28:37,680 unchanging. Character there's a there's a 490 00:28:37,680 --> 00:28:40,200 course like. Hymn like a song that we sing 491 00:28:42,200 --> 00:28:44,600 and and what is that? That song's message is about? 492 00:28:44,880 --> 00:28:48,560 Don't trust people as much, but trust God as much. 493 00:28:49,680 --> 00:28:51,320 Put your trust. In God. 494 00:28:52,040 --> 00:28:54,480 Why? Because often, as we can see in 495 00:28:54,480 --> 00:28:59,040 Scripture with many examples that God always encourages. 496 00:28:59,080 --> 00:29:01,760 Us to put our. Trust in him. 497 00:29:02,640 --> 00:29:06,320 Why? Because of his unchanging. 498 00:29:06,520 --> 00:29:11,960 Character God. Is immutable yesterday, today, 499 00:29:12,200 --> 00:29:17,240 and forever remaining the same if God could change. 500 00:29:18,320 --> 00:29:21,320 Or if God could. Be taken by surprise and God 501 00:29:21,320 --> 00:29:24,320 says I did not know that was going to happen then He is not 502 00:29:24,320 --> 00:29:28,120 God. God knows all things. 503 00:29:29,960 --> 00:29:35,200 God has all the power, but also as we read. 504 00:29:35,360 --> 00:29:38,080 As we, as we sang that song this morning, God. 505 00:29:38,320 --> 00:29:42,000 Is good, I am. Asking us this morning. 506 00:29:42,240 --> 00:29:44,760 Just like Harper, Cook. Perhaps did not receive the 507 00:29:44,760 --> 00:29:47,080 answer that. He expected, but as we read. 508 00:29:47,080 --> 00:29:50,240 Further on you will. See that Harper Cook had. 509 00:29:50,360 --> 00:29:53,640 To trust in God's unchanging character. 510 00:29:54,480 --> 00:29:57,560 That God. Remains the same that. 511 00:29:57,560 --> 00:30:00,680 God is wise. That God is. 512 00:30:00,680 --> 00:30:05,720 Holy and the times God is doing something that we do not know 513 00:30:06,800 --> 00:30:07,920 for he. Works out. 514 00:30:08,040 --> 00:30:11,240 All things according to his plan. 515 00:30:11,680 --> 00:30:14,280 His. Purposes and sometimes we don't 516 00:30:14,280 --> 00:30:18,440 know what that. Looks like but we are still 517 00:30:18,440 --> 00:30:22,800 called to trust Christ and place our faith. 518 00:30:23,200 --> 00:30:29,720 In Christ and Christ alone. So be reminded this morning. 519 00:30:31,160 --> 00:30:34,640 To put your trust. In Christ I don't know what you 520 00:30:34,640 --> 00:30:39,160 trust in Christ for this morning, but can I encourage you 521 00:30:39,160 --> 00:30:42,080 this morning to. Place your your faith. 522 00:30:42,960 --> 00:30:48,480 In him, I know that at times that can be hard. 523 00:30:49,160 --> 00:30:56,800 That can be hard at times. But we are called to trust in. 524 00:30:56,800 --> 00:31:01,600 Season, another season. And so I invite to church this 525 00:31:01,600 --> 00:31:06,680 morning. Just like these people of God, 526 00:31:07,400 --> 00:31:12,160 just like Habakkuk. Who's saying God please come and 527 00:31:12,160 --> 00:31:16,680 act, come and do something? And God says yes, I will do 528 00:31:16,800 --> 00:31:23,000 something because Christ is the only one that can rescue us. 529 00:31:23,800 --> 00:31:26,280 And if you are not a Christian this morning, can I remind you? 530 00:31:26,680 --> 00:31:29,040 That the justice of God and the. Judgment of God. 531 00:31:29,240 --> 00:31:31,360 Is still. Upon you this morning because of 532 00:31:31,360 --> 00:31:36,240 original sin. No good works, no good 533 00:31:36,240 --> 00:31:40,760 intention, no moral pursuit can rescue you this morning. 534 00:31:42,080 --> 00:31:43,480 But can I tell you the good news? 535 00:31:44,240 --> 00:31:47,120 Christ has taken all of that. He is, He has. 536 00:31:47,160 --> 00:31:50,080 Taken the wrath of God upon himself, he became the 537 00:31:50,280 --> 00:31:54,360 propitiation on our. Behalf, therefore he calls. 538 00:31:54,360 --> 00:31:56,560 You and draws you to himself this morning. 539 00:31:56,760 --> 00:32:02,240 Do not reject Him this morning, for one day you will stand 540 00:32:02,240 --> 00:32:04,120 before God and you. Will have to give. 541 00:32:04,520 --> 00:32:08,520 An account and God saying come this morning. 542 00:32:08,960 --> 00:32:10,680 Because I've taken. That judgment on your. 543 00:32:10,680 --> 00:32:13,680 Behalf guess what? I want to give you my 544 00:32:13,680 --> 00:32:17,760 righteousness this morning. I want to give it to you. 545 00:32:17,760 --> 00:32:22,040 I want to make you my child, that you belong unto my family, 546 00:32:22,640 --> 00:32:26,040 that your salvation is not something that will end here, 547 00:32:26,400 --> 00:32:29,600 but your salvation is a is. Assured, but also it is a. 548 00:32:29,600 --> 00:32:33,560 Salvation for eternity in Jesus name, Amen. 549 00:32:34,480 --> 00:32:36,920 It's prayer. Thank you for listening to 550 00:32:36,920 --> 00:32:39,560 today's message. We hope you are encouraged and 551 00:32:39,560 --> 00:32:41,680 challenged in your faith. If you're in the Southern 552 00:32:41,680 --> 00:32:45,040 Suburbs, would love to welcome you in person at one of our 553 00:32:45,040 --> 00:32:47,160 serves. Don't forget to subscribe, share 554 00:32:47,160 --> 00:32:50,320 this message with a friend, and stay connected with us on social 555 00:32:50,320 --> 00:32:52,520 media for more inspiration throughout the week. 556 00:32:52,640 --> 00:32:55,920 Until next time, stay clear and keep shining your light.