Habakkuk 3:1-19, “Yet I Will Rejoice in the Lord”

Discussion Guide

Intro: Habakkuk utters a prayer for God to be merciful and then breaks out into a sort of praise song in which he recounts God’s history of saving his people by his great might and power. All this leaves Habakkuk humbled and quiet, yet confident that God is worthy of his trust and praise.

1. We are to trust God in community.

1.1—Habakkuk trusted in God because he heard of God’s goodness to His people.

1.2—We learn and are encouraged by being around each other.

• We see the Gospel rehearsed and applied as we come in close proximity to one another.
• Application: What is the center of gravity in our lives? God, or temporal things?

1.3—Tell the next generation.

• Psalm 78:1-7

2. We are to trust in God by remembering what He has done to save His people.

1.1—Habakkuk remembers what God did to save his people from Egypt and views the current situation in light it.

• v.13—“You went out for the salvation of your people…”

1.2—We can look to the Cross and view our past and future in light of what Christ has done.

• Romans 8:31-39

3. We are to trust God because He alone can satisfy.

3.1—Affliction served to wean Habakkuk from the world.

• 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

3.2—Habakkuk learns that God is not the means to an end, rather He is the end and ultimate joy.

• 2 Thessalonians 1:10, John 17:3
• Jonathan Edwards: God is the highest good of the reasonable creature. The enjoyment of him is our proper; and is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Better than fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of any, or all earthly friends. These are but shadows; but the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams; but God is the sun. These are but streams; but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean.