God’s Renewing Word of Peace and Justice
Introduction
Habakkuk 3:1-19: Habakkuk’s prayer in this concluding chapter begins with a request for the LORD to be merciful to the people of Judah. His prayer then continues with a description of the LORD’s presence and power in the world. Habakkuk is overwhelmed by the LORD’s awesome power, which makes him confident that the LORD will save the people of Judah, despite their present struggles.
Scripture Reading
A Prayer of Habakkuk
3 This is a prayer of the prophet Habakkuk:
2 O Lord, I have heard of what you have done,
and I am filled with awe.
Now do again in our times
the great deeds you used to do.
Be merciful, even when you are angry.
3 God is coming again from Edom;
the holy God is coming from the hills of Paran.
His splendor covers the heavens,
and the earth is full of his praise.
4 He comes with the brightness of lightning;
light flashes from his hand,
there where his power is hidden.
5 He sends disease before him
and commands death to follow him.
6 When he stops, the earth shakes;
at his glance the nations tremble.
The eternal mountains are shattered;
the everlasting hills sink down,
the hills where he walked in ancient times.
7 I saw the people of Cushan afraid
and the people of Midian tremble.
8 Was it the rivers that made you angry, Lord?
Was it the sea that made you furious?
You rode upon the clouds;
the storm cloud was your chariot,
as you brought victory to your people.
9 You got ready to use your bow,
ready to shoot your arrows.
Your lightning split open the earth.
10 When the mountains saw you, they trembled;
water poured down from the skies.
The waters under the earth roared,
and their waves rose high.
11 At the flash of your speeding arrows
and the gleam of your shining spear,
the sun and the moon stood still.
12 You marched across the earth in anger;
in fury you trampled the nations.
13 You went out to save your people,
to save your chosen king.
You struck down the leader of the wicked
and completely destroyed his followers.
14 Your arrows pierced the commander of his army
when it came like a storm to scatter us,
gloating like those who secretly oppress the poor.
15 You trampled the sea with your horses,
and the mighty waters foamed.
16 I hear all this, and I tremble;
my lips quiver with fear.
My body goes limp,
and my feet stumble beneath me.
I will quietly wait for the time to come
when God will punish those who attack us.
17 Even though the fig trees have no fruit
and no grapes grow on the vines,
even though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no grain,
even though the sheep all die
and the cattle stalls are empty,
18 I will still be joyful and glad,
because the Lord God is my savior.
19 The Sovereign Lord gives me strength.
He makes me sure-footed as a deer
and keeps me safe on the mountains.
Today’s Key Verse: Habakkuk 3:18
I will still be joyful and glad, because the LORD God is my savior.
Reflect
As Habakkuk prays, he recounts many of God’s great acts. In doing so, he reminds himself of God’s mercy and power, and this gives him strength. How can remembering God’s works in the world strengthen your faith? How has God been made known to you today?
Pray
Sovereign Lord, I have heard of what you have done, and I am filled with awe. Strengthen my spirit to remember the ways you are revealed in my life. Be present with me today that I may find comfort and hope in the sure knowledge of your everlasting love. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Leviticus 25:1-22: The Year of Restoration is described.