Habakkuk Sermon Series

Sermon follow-up 8/11/25

Introduction
In times when life seems overwhelming and prayers appear to go unanswered, where can we find hope? The book of Habakkuk, particularly chapter 3, offers profound wisdom for those struggling to see God's goodness amid difficult circumstances.

What is the message of Habakkuk chapter 3?
Habakkuk chapter 3 represents a beautiful turning point in the prophet's journey. After questioning God and wrestling with difficult circumstances, Habakkuk's complaints transform into a spontaneous song of praise. This final chapter shows us what real-life faith looks like when it journeys through hardship.
The prophet had been praying prayers that either went unanswered or were answered differently than expected—something many of us can relate to. Yet despite his circumstances, Habakkuk discovers a powerful strategy for maintaining faith: remember God's goodness, repeat it to yourself, and rejoice in it.

How do we remember God's goodness when life is hard?
In verses 3-15, Habakkuk lists numerous "theophanies"—visible manifestations of God's presence that people could perceive through their senses. These references include:

• God's appearance at Mount Sinai during the Exodus
• The plagues God used to free His people from Egypt
• The earth shaking when God gave the Ten Commandments
• God's guidance through the wilderness journey
• Military victories God provided for His people
• The miracle of the sun standing still in Joshua's time
• God parting the Red Sea to save His people

Each of these historical moments reminded the Israelites of God's faithfulness and goodness. Similarly, we need to take inventory of the ways God has shown His goodness in our own lives.

Why is it important to repeat God's goodness to ourselves?
After remembering God's goodness, Habakkuk demonstrates the importance of repetition. In verses 16-18, he uses the phrase "I will" three times:

• "I will wait patiently"
• "I will rejoice"
• "I will be joyful"

This repetition isn't just positive thinking—it's a declaration of trust built on the foundation of God's proven goodness. When we repeatedly remind ourselves of God's faithfulness, we're training our hearts to trust Him even when our circumstances suggest otherwise.
The ultimate demonstration of God's goodness is found in Jesus. As Titus 3 reminds us, "When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy."

How can we rejoice despite difficult circumstances?
Habakkuk concludes with one of the most powerful declarations of faith in Scripture:
"Though the fig tree does not bud and though there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God, my Savior."
This wasn't just poetic language—it described complete economic devastation. For an agricultural society, no crops and no livestock meant starvation and ruin. Yet Habakkuk could still rejoice because his joy wasn't based on circumstances but on his relationship with God.
As G. Campbell Morgan wisely noted: "Our joy is in proportion to our trust, and our trust is in proportion to our knowledge of God." The more we know God, the more we trust Him. The more we trust Him, the more we can rejoice—regardless of our circumstances.

Life Application
The journey of Habakkuk teaches us that even in the worst circumstances, we can find joy in God's goodness. Here's how to apply this lesson to your life this week:

1. Take time to remember: Set aside 15-30 minutes this week to reflect on specific ways God has been good to you throughout your life. Don't rush through this exercise—allow your heart to remind your mind of God's faithfulness.
2. Create reminders: Write down 3-5 specific examples of God's goodness in your life and place them somewhere you'll see them daily. Repeat these truths to yourself regularly.
3. Choose to rejoice: When facing difficulties this week, make a conscious decision to say, "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord." Your circumstances may not change, but your perspective can.

Questions to consider:

• What difficult circumstances am I currently facing that make it hard to see God's goodness?
• What specific examples of God's faithfulness in my past can strengthen my trust today?
• How might my joy increase if I focused more on knowing God than on changing my circumstances?
• In what ways has Jesus demonstrated God's goodness to me personally?

Remember, our trust isn't built on favorable circumstances but on the unchanging character of a good God who has proven Himself faithful time and again.