Main Point
Habakkuk not only asked God his questions, but he also waited for God’s answer. Once he received the Lord’s response, Habakkuk obeyed what he heard.
"I will stand at my guard post
and station myself on the lookout tower.
I will watch to see what he will say to me
and what I should reply about my complaint."Habakkuk 2:1 CSB
Waiting on God’s Answer (Habakkuk 2:1)
Habakkuk struggled with the plan God revealed but instead of withdrawing from the Lord or grumbling because he didn’t like God’s response, he kept the communication lines open and shared his heart with his God.
God promises to hear you and answer you when you take your concerns, fears, and struggles to Him. Just as He lovingly responded to Habakkuk, He will lovingly respond to you, and you can trust His character.
"2 The Lord answered me:
Write down this vision;
clearly inscribe it on tablets
so one may easily read it.
3 For the vision is yet for the appointed time;
it testifies about the end and will not lie.
Though it delays, wait for it,
since it will certainly come and not be late."Habakkuk 2:2-3 CSB
Receiving God’s Answer (Habakkuk 2:2-3)
Habakkuk waited in anticipation for the Lord to speak, and He trusted that God would answer Him and that God’s answer would be true.
Waiting on the Lord is never a waste of time. There is pruning that happens in our lives as we wait. There are lessons learned in waiting and our faith grows as we wait on the Lord with anticipation.
"4 Look, his ego is inflated;
he is without integrity.
But the righteous one will live by his faith.
5 Moreover, wine betrays;
an arrogant man is never at rest.
He enlarges his appetite like Sheol,
and like Death he is never satisfied.
He gathers all the nations to himself;
he collects all the peoples for himself."Habakkuk 2:4-5 CSB
Trusting God’s Plan (Habakkuk 2:4-5)
When you attempt to live life on your own strength instead of trusting in the Lord, that is a form of pride. True faith keeps a person’s eyes on the Lord, whereas pride is self-focused.
The warning is clear, and the progression is dangerous. Though it may feel good for a moment, giving into the fleshly nature leads to more dissatisfaction and discontentment so that this person never finds real rest.