1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.
2 O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.
3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.
4 And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.
5 Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.
6 He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.
7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.
8 Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation?
9 Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers.
10 The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high.
11 The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.
12 Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger.
13 Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.
14 Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly.
15 Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through the heap of great waters.
16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.
17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
Chapter 3 of the Book of Habakkuk in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible is a unique mix of prophecy, prayer, and praise. In this chapter, the prophet Habakkuk is in dialogue with God, expressing his doubt, fear, and ultimately, his faith. This chapter stands out as a significant shift from the first two chapters, where Habakkuk questioned God's justice and his seemingly indifferent attitude towards the wickedness and atrocities committed by the Babylonians. Chapter 3 is, in essence, a psalm of faith, where Habakkuk acknowledges God's sovereignty, His justice, and His ultimate plan for His people.
The chapter begins with Habakkuk acknowledging God's majesty and power in a prayer. This prayer is characterized by awe and reverence for God, a stark contrast to the questioning and doubt expressed in the earlier chapters. Habakkuk recognizes God's divine authority and power, acknowledging His deeds in the past and anticipating His intervention in the present and future.
Habakkuk vividly describes God's past acts, particularly His deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt and His guidance through the desert. He uses rich and powerful imagery to describe God's majesty and might, referring to God's power as brighter than the sun and His strength as eternal as the mountains. The prophet's description of God's acts in the past serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and His commitment to His people.
Habakkuk also anticipates God's future interventions, expressing his faith in God's promise to deliver His people from their current predicament. Despite the imminent threat of the Babylonian invasion, Habakkuk believes that God will intervene and deliver His people, just as He did in the past. This faith in God's future intervention is a testament to Habakkuk's unwavering trust in God's promises and His divine plan.
Another significant theme in this chapter is God's justice and sovereignty. Despite his initial doubts and questions, Habakkuk acknowledges that God is just and that His plans are perfect. He recognizes that God's ways are not our ways and that His justice may not always align with human perceptions of justice. This acknowledgment of God's justice is a significant shift from Habakkuk's earlier questioning and doubt, demonstrating his growth in faith and understanding.
Habakkuk also acknowledges God's sovereignty, recognizing that God is in control of all things. Despite the seeming chaos and uncertainty of the world, Habakkuk believes that God is still on His throne, ruling and reigning over all. This recognition of God's sovereignty is a source of comfort and hope for Habakkuk, reassuring him that despite the circumstances, God is in control.
In the face of fear and uncertainty, Habakkuk chooses to trust in God. Despite the imminent threat of the Babylonian invasion and the potential devastation it could bring, Habakkuk chooses faith over fear. He acknowledges his fear and apprehension, but rather than letting it consume him, he turns to God in trust and faith. This choice to trust in God, despite the circumstances, is a powerful testament to Habakkuk's faith and his relationship with God.
Habakkuk ends the chapter with a beautiful declaration of faith, stating that even if everything goes wrong and he loses everything, he will still rejoice in God. This statement is not only a declaration of faith, but also a challenge to all believers to trust in God, regardless of the circumstances. It is a reminder that our faith should not be dependent on our circumstances, but on God and His promises.
Chapter 3 of the Book of Habakkuk is a powerful testament to the prophet's faith and his deep relationship with God. Despite his initial doubts and questions, Habakkuk comes to a place of trust and faith, acknowledging God's sovereignty, justice, and His commitment to His people. The chapter serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in the past and His promise for the future, encouraging believers to trust in God, despite the circumstances.
This chapter, with its themes of faith, trust, and divine sovereignty, challenges us to examine our own faith and relationship with God. It encourages us to trust in God's promises and His plan, even when we don't understand. It reminds us that God is sovereign, that He is in control, and that He will fulfill His promises, regardless of our circumstances. As such, it is a powerful lesson in faith and trust, challenging us to deepen our relationship with God and to trust Him, regardless of our circumstances.
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