“The Lord, is my Strength”

“God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places.” (Habakkuk 3:19 ESV)

The prayer of Habakkuk in his last chapter of writing reveals to us the justice and protection of the Lord. In chapter 1, Habakkuk makes two complaints before the Lord, to which God answers. First, Habakkuk sees the failure in the law and asks God why He does not respond. God tells Habakkuk that He is working in the world and that Habakkuk does not see, nor could he see, the work of the Lord.

Is this not how God is working today? He is working, and for those who have faith, we can see His work in the world. It is those who do not know the Lord or are shallow in faith who do not see His work.

Second, Habakkuk asks God why He remains silent to the world when so much evil is spreading and multiplying. God again answers Habakkuk, “the vision” is yet to come. “For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” This vision depicts God’s use of Babylon to punish Judah for its sins. God tells Habakkuk that the righteous shall live by faith. It is here that we see the justice and providence of God in saving His people. This mirrors the gospel in that God is not only just in punishing sin but also merciful in sending Christ to bear the sins of humanity, through whom, by faith, one receives salvation. The gospel is clear in Habakkuk: we can only live by faith, and in that faith we find eternal life, for salvation is the result of God’s mercy and grace bringing one to faith in Christ Jesus.

For Paul wrote, ^“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” As did the writer of Hebrews in 10:38, “but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

Chapter 2 continues with God speaking woes, just as we read of Christ speaking woes to those who are rebellious to God. God speaks of His coming justice against the world's evil. This was another example of God’s justice and providence both in the time of Habakkuk and today.

Habakkuk recites in his prayer God's work in his world and his faith and trust in the Lord. He also prays about his fear and trembling at the mighty justice and wrath of God. A healthy fear we should all have, and this respect for the power of God brings us closer to Him.

Lastly, Habakkuk rejoices in the Lord, glorifying Him in prayer. Habakkuk writes of his faith that, even if everything around him can fail, he will rejoice and find salvation in the Lord. For Habakkuk knows, "the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places." We should rejoice in the Lord and yet maintain a healthy fear of His justice and wrath, all the while knowing that one who belongs to Him will never be cast away from Him.

The gospel is present in Habakkuk, strengthening the understanding that God’s plan of redemption was in place before creation. Just as the Lord said. Do believers trust in the Lord our God in difficult times? Yes, and we cling to the cross and know that the word of God is without error and reveals the continuing story of God’s work in our world.

If you do not know our Lord, Christ Jesus, as your Savior, will you not come to Him? He sent you to this ministry as a calling. Open your heart to Him today, and by His grace, you can find faith to believe in Him and receive the free gift of salvation.

Grace and Peace.