Habakkuk: Write The Vision
Then the LORD answered me and said:
“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.
Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NKJV)
The vision the Lord gave Habakkuk was an answer. An answer to his lament on the wickedness the people were experiencing under Babylonian rule.
How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save?
Habakkuk 1:2 (NIV)
Habakkuk was frustrated. The first response He got from God did not satisfy him. So, he carried on with his complaint.
Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong.
Why then do you tolerate the treacherous?
Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?
Habakkuk 1:13 (NIV)
But there was something different about his second complaint.
I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.
Habakkuk 2:1(NIV)
And as we have seen from the opening mirror, the LORD answered him with the vision. How did he get God to answer him second time around?
I will stand at my watch
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
Habakkuk determined to stand. The cruelty he was observing, his grief for his people, the ruthlesness of those in power was not going to shake him. He was not going to give up and let things be. No. He was determined to stand.
And not only was he standing. He was standing in his watch, his office as a prophet.
He understood that it was not enough to stand, he had to stand in the right office.
☆ Are you standing?
Station myself on the ramparts
His spiritual position (watch) mattered. But so did his physical position. He stationed himself in a strategic high position that would allow him tosee over the land. His sight would not be limited to a small area, he would be able to see over the whole land.
☆ Which rampart are you stationed on?
I will look to see what he will say to me
This is interesting. He did not say I will hear what he will say to me…he said, I will look to see…
Now, his first two statements make sense:
- I will stand – he was standing because he wanted to see something.
- I will station myself on the ramparts – because he expected to be shown something concerning the land he was looking at and he wanted to see everything, not just some things.
- I will see what he will say – in other words, I will do more than hear. I will see a vision.
Habakkuk was expectant that God would grant him a vision and as a result, he positioned himself strategically- both physically and spiritually- to receive that vision.
So expectant was he that he readied himself to give an answer:
and what answer I am to give to this complaint…which in other translations reads: what to answer when I am rebuked.
The LORD answered Habakkuk. And from His response we understand:
☆ A Vision Is An Answer
Every God given vision is a response to a problem. In Habakkuk’s time it was a response to the cruelty of Bablyon. For Esther, God’s vision for her life was to save the Jews from annihilation. Every visionary we have studied was solving an existing problem. So it is with you.
What problem greatly troubles you? What problem, like Habakkuk, are you sick and tired of seeing? Therein lies the vision of God for your life.
☆ The Answer Is From God
Habakkuk did not wait on any individual or advisor for his answer. He went straight to the source of his answer. He went straight to God.
God spoke directly to Joseph, Mary, Paul and the other visionaries we have studied. God will speak to you directly, for it is His vision.
Don’t look to man to tell you God’s vision. All man can do is confirm the vision. But only God gives the vision.
☆ Write Down The Vision
Whatever He tells you or shows you, write it down.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105
☆ There Is An Appointed Time
There is a time that has been set for the manifestation of the vision. We have seen that with the other visionaries. Do not compare your time with any other individual, for God’s vision for your life is different.
How else can you explain Moses leading Israel at the age of 80, and David becoming king at the age of 30?
☆ Be Expectant
The LORD shall answer you in His own way and time. As you wait, wait expectantly.
There is surely a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.
Proverbs 23:18 ( NIV )
God bless you ☺