Faith on Trial Standing Firm Through Uncertain Times Lesson 2: The Righteous Will Live by His Faith April 25, 2010

2. �Faith on Trial� Standing Firm Through Uncertain Times Lesson #2: �The Righteous Will Live by His Faith� April 25, 2010

3. II. Habakkuk�s 2nd Complaint A. Habakkuk�s Questions (1:12-14) �O LORD, are you not from everlasting?� Habakkuk is saying that God is� - Eternal - Self-existent - Holy - Almighty - Faithful 2. �So, if God is all of these things, how can these events be reconciled with His holy character?�

4. B. Habakkuk�s Observations (2:14-17) 1. Of God (v. 14) 2. Of the Babylonians (v. 14-17) a. They were a people driven by violence. - destroyed nations without mercy (v. 17) b. They were a people driven by success. - Success is idolized & worshipped (v. 16)

5. The Idolatry of Success 3 Signs that you have made success an idol� #1: The false sense of security it brings. #2: It distorts your view of yourself. #3: We find we cannot maintain our self-confidence in life unless we remain at the top of our chosen field. - Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods, pp. 75-76

6. �In traditional cultures, personal worth is measured in terms of �honor�. Honor is given to those who fulfill their assigned role in the community, whether it be as citizen, father, mother, teacher, or ruler. Modern society, however, is individualistic, and bases worth on �dignity.� Dignity means the right of every individual to develop his or her own identity and self, free from any socially assigned role or category. Modern society, then, puts great pressure on individuals to prove their worth through personal achievement. It is not enough to be a good citizen or family member. You must win, be on top, to show you are one of the best.� � Peter Berger, The Homeless Mind Group Question: Do you agree with Berger�s observation on how our modern society views personal worth? Why or why not?

7. C. Habakkuk�s Response (2:1) 1. He Committed the problem to God. 2. He expected an answer from God. 3. He watched & waited for the answer. �Habakkuk now realizes that the one thing to do is to wait upon God. It is not enough just to pray, to tell God about our worries, and just to cast our burden on the Lord. We must go further and wait on God.� � Martin Lloyd Jones

8. II. The LORD�s Response (2:2-20) A Crucial Distinction (2:2-5) 1. The Wicked (2:4-5) 2. The Righteous (2:4) In Habakkuk�s day, the blessing of life was secured by faith in the God who gives life to the dead. Ex. Abraham (Genesis 15:1-6) Nation of Israel (Exodus 3:13-19)

9. b. 5 Woes of the Wicked (2:6-20) 1. �The Pillager will be pillaged� (2:6-8) Dooms the wicked for their greed for power 2. �The fortified is dismantled� (2:9-11) Denounces the attempted creation of an inviolable national security at the expense of others. 3. �The civilized is demoralized� (2:12-14) Pronounces judgment on the Babylonians for their ruthless but futile tyranny. 4. �The shameless is disgraced� (2:15-17) Pronounces the judgment on the Babylonians for their sadistic and humiliating treatment of others and the creation. 5. �The idolatrous is powerless� (2: 18-20) Denounces the Babylonians for their futile and foolish.

10. C. From Woe to Worship There is an absolute certainty of the destruction of evil and the triumph of God. Everything that is evil is under God�s judgment. God allows it for His own purposes, so that the world may stagger under these evil powers, before He suddenly shows His power and manifests His own sovereignty. The ungodly�s end is fixed. We should feel sorry for them. Put your trust in nothing of man, but in God alone! There must be no questioning or uncertainty about the goodness and holiness of God.

11. �Psalm 73� � Indelible Grace Surely God is goodTo all the pure in heartBut as for me, my feet had almost slippedI nearly lost my gripFor I envied, the arrogantThey are free, from my burdens 2. Surely I, in vain,Have kept my, my heart pureAnd surely they are strong and free from trialsWhile I am so confusedThen I entered Your holy placeThen I saw their destiny

12. �Psalm 73� � Indelible Grace 3. Surely, they�re cast downAs those on slippery groundAs dreams fade when we wake, so they becomeCompletely swept awayIn my heart I was arrogantLike a beast before You 4. Yet always You are nearYou guide me by Your WordAnd always, my Lord God, You are my strengthMy portion You will beYou�re my refuge, my Sovereign LordI will sing of Your awesome deeds Tag: You�re my refuge, my Sovereign LordI will sing of Your awesome deeds