Don Smith :: Habakkuk Introduction

A Faith to Cling to — A Call to Rejoice in the God of Our Salvation

Expositional Study of Habakkuk
By Pastor Don Smith

These are violent times…international terrorist cell groups infiltrating communities, local “gang-bangers” battle for their turf, domestic disputes end up in shootings, innocent women and children are abused and discarded, political parties heat up hate rhetoric, and churches are torn asunder by infighting and bickering. It seems the very fabric of society is unraveling. There is death in the “City of Man”—the death of culture, nations, economies, institutions, neighborhoods, marriages, families, and spiritual values. Fear turns to skepticism; skepticism to pessimism; and pessimism to despair. The once bright torch of hope flickers in the dark, as storm clouds shroud the skies. A fearful church turns to fortressing because there is little left to cling to but each other. Christ, however, called His Church to be a beacon of light in the night. So what is it to do? How does it understand “the hand of God” in history? Is God silent and disinterested? Is His will thwarted by sinful and violent men? What is God doing in this time of crisis? How are we to pray? Where is God when we need Him?

If this sounds bleak and foreboding then join us in the study of one of the most relevant books in the Bible, Habakkuk. That’s right, Habakkuk! That small three-chapter prophecy that we can hardly spell no less find, may be just what the Church needs to hear today. How timely to hear a man cry out to God with tears in his eyes about all the violence he sees around him. How helpful to get a response back from God. How insightful to listen to the prayer life of a prophet pleading with God to know what, if anything, He was doing about evil. How encouraging to find out what it means the “just shall live by faith.” How wonderful to know God is in His holy temple ruling and reigning over planet earth. How inspiring to read Habakkuk’s prayer of praise, in spite of bearing a burdensome message of imminent doom and destruction.

This prophet and priest was appropriately named “Habakkuk”. Literally it means “to embrace” or “to cling to.” Here was a man for his times and for ours. He has given us “a faith to cling to.” It is not a call to give up or to give in. Rather it is a call to rejoice in the God of our salvation. We are to rejoice because the invisible hand of God is still, right now, working in history to work His good pleasure.

If you seek to find reasons to rejoice today, join us and rediscover the relevance of a little known prophet with a powerful message, calling us to “Cling to Your Faith in God!”