Keith Battle - It Is Written - Part 2

Habakkuk Chapter 2 is where I’m returning for part two of this series, Habakkuk Chapter 2. I am using the English Standard Version for this series. Someone asked me why I switched translations since I usually use the New Living Translation. Shout out to Pastor Jeff Simmons for introducing me to the New Living Translation many years ago; at first, I thought he was a heretic for even bringing it to my job. I was a straight King James adherent. The reason I use the ESV is that I like how it translates Chapter 2. Ironically, I prefer the New Living Translation’s rendering of Habakkuk Chapter 1.

Whenever you study the Bible, you must understand that it wasn’t originally written in English—it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. Consequently, there are Hebrew and Greek words that have multiple English equivalents that can be used in translation without losing the meaning or intent of the verse. Thus, using multiple translations while reading the Bible is beneficial for gaining a better understanding. With that said, if you are physically able, please stand with me right now as we read the Word of God, without harm to yourself. The Bible says that the grass withers and the flowers fade, but the Word of our God shall stand forever, and anything that is going to stand forever is worth standing for, amen.

I’m in verse one of Habakkuk Chapter 2 from the English Standard Version, which says, «I will take my stand at my watch post and station myself on the tower and look out to see what he will say to me and what I will answer concerning my complaint.» And the Lord answered me, «Write the vision"—elbow somebody and say, «Make sure you write it!» Yes, put it in the chat: «Make sure you write it down!» «You have to write it down, and then make it plain on tablets so he may run who reads it.» Verse 3: «For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end; it will not lie; it will not lie; it will not lie.» That’s good right there. «If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.» Amen; you may be seated.

I have seven observations I want to share with you regarding this passage and another passage we’ll look at today. The first observation is from verse 1. At the end of verse 1, Habakkuk says, «I’m standing, I’m waiting to see what God’s going to say to me.» Remember, vision comes in twos—a point we discussed in part one. When you receive a vision from God, the first part of the vision is identifying a problem that God wants you involved in correcting. In Chapter 1, he received a vision of a problem: the desolation of Judah. The second vision comes in the form of a solution to this problem, which is God’s answer.

In between, while he’s waiting at his watch post for this answer, Habakkuk expresses that he is also waiting to see how he is going to respond to God with his complaint. It dawned on me that this tension between a problem we see and a vision or solution we cannot see creates a dynamic that often prevents us from pursuing our vision. Here’s the observation: many of us don’t have a vision problem; rather, we have a surrender problem. Instead of Habakkuk saying in verse 1, «I am standing here humbly waiting to do whatever God says regarding the problem,» he indicates that he is waiting for God to say something while also preparing to argue back with him.

You would be surprised at how many people have heard from God, but most of us are not bold enough to argue with Him like that—we often just walk away instead. Many of our visions are stuck in the tower because we lack surrender. You see, to have a successful vision, there must be submission to the lordship of the Lord. We need to do what God says because we do not want to live with the problem, yet we are hesitant to submit to the solution—especially if the solution is something we don’t like. For instance, in Habakkuk’s case, it was a harsh reality: he didn’t like that God’s solution involved using a wicked nation to judge His people. The end results could be ideal, and Habakkuk could accept that, but he struggled with the process itself and expressed his complaints about it.

Many of us are just like that. We don’t have a vision problem; we have a vision—we just don’t like how God says He is going to accomplish it. Let me give you an example: there’s a young man in the Bible known as the Rich Young Ruler. He had a cool conversation with Jesus, saying, «Lord, tell me what I need to do to have eternal life.» He brought the problem to Jesus, prompting Jesus to respond…