Habakkuk Chapter 2verse 14 is crucial, in the light of what we have been reading. The future belongs to God.
Verses 15 to 17 - we see how sin boomerangs. Woe to the callous. We will give them wine to drink - so much wine - that they will cavort around naked – that will entertain us.
Habakkuk - you could be writing about 2026. God says - if you exploit people for entertainment, it will be you who will grovel and be laughed at – Verse 16 . You will be disgraced. Your so-called glory will vanish.
Verse 17 is rather important for us today. Babylon was under a curse for destroying trees as they implemented their scorched earth policy.
God had said that when you go to war you shall not destroy the trees – Deuteronomy Chapter 20 verse 19. God does not want to harm you - but if you jump off a 100-foot cliff - it is likely that you will harm yourself - because God has a law that says - if you jump off a 100 foot cliff - you go down. His laws always apply. You cannot break the commandments of God and thrive and be blessed.
Babylon broke these laws, and there is a boomerang effect. What you do rebounds. All those oppressors do to God's People will be avenged in time.
Habakkuk - this is the God whom you thought was not doing anything – and what he is being shown here is not just "easy-believism".
Verse 18 to 20 . Woe to the idolatrous - the essence of idolatry is deception. Idols kid on that they are living gods, but all they do is deceive. Idols have nothing to say and no ability to say anything. Idols brought income - it was business in Babylon. Our God is a mighty moral God.
God gave man a conscience - so that even if man does not have scripture he can sense what is fair and just. Babylon made images. We have it today - my idea of God is - I think of God this way - people have many images or ideas about God which are not biblical. God is not an almighty Santa Claus - Santa Claus died for no-one.
The image or idol can do nothing for you - you can shout at it - pray to it - ask it to wake up - but it won't answer.
Verse 20 - But our living God is alive and in His Holy Temple. Bow before Him.
He is not blind nor dumb. Look up to God - magnify His grace and might and power.
"Man - turn down the volume of your chatter and clamour and listen to what God has to say." Chapter 1verse 5 - I am working a work - and doesn't God go on to explain things so clearly to dear Habakkuk. Ask Him questions - and listen - be silent, as He replies. From this, Habakkuk received clear direction.
A vision from God enhances leadership - and encourages people to take risks - think of Peter stepping out of the boat and walking on water - it can be done - it has been done.
A vision from God - a word from God provides purpose - "he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion" - Paul to the Philippians.
A vision from God motivates giving - not just money - but one's whole life - and when God gets your life - He gets hold of all you are, and all you have.
A vision too can give people energy - when God spoke to Nehemiah he went and arranged for the walls of Jerusalem to be rebuilt.
A vision, or word from God, can motivate and inspire and prompt passion.
“Lord our God – we pray for the Church of Jesus Christ – open our eyes and our minds and our hearts – give us a fresh vision – remind us of what You have said in the past – increase our faith – rekindle our passion if the flame is flickering – may our everyday count in the Kingdom of God – we worship You, through Jesus Christ.” Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.