YOU CAN’T TELL GOD TO HURRY UP!

Habakkuk 2
1. I will stand on my guard post and station myself on the rampart; and I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me, and how I may reply when I am reproved.
2. Then the Lord answered me and said, “Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run.
3. “For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.
4. “Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith.”


In the 2nd chapter, Habakkuk is being addressed by God in response to his question in the first chapter. This question was based off Psalm 73:3: “For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” In verse 1:13, Habakkuk asks God, “Why do You look in favor on those who deal treacherously? Why are You silent when the wicked swallow up those more righteous than they?” Basically, Habakkuk observes that God doesn’t seem to be keeping His promise to help His people and punish the wicked. However, from God’s response in 2:1-4, we can make some important observations of our own.


We can observe four different things regarding any promise and those waiting:


I. THE SENSE IN WHICH THERE IS A DELAY IN THE PROMISE
It is not every apparent delay which is real. Our time and God’s time are not measured on the same dial.
1. Each promise in the Bible will be fulfilled in its own time. “For the vision is yet for the appointed time;”
2. In the end, each promise will prove true. “It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.”
3. Each promise will repay our waiting. “Though it tarries, wait for it.”
4. When it’s time, each promise will be punctual. “For it will certainly come, it will not delay.”
The word of the Lord is as true to the time as it is to the thing.
To Him, its time of ripening is short. Only to us is it long.


II. THE ATTITUDE OF A BELIEVER WHILE THE PROMISE DELAYS
We should watch for the appearing of the Lord in fulfillment of His promise, and should be prepared to receive reproof as well as blessing.
One should adopt:
1. A determined and thoughtful attitude: “I will stand on my guard post,”
2. An attentive attitude: “and I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me,” He is engrossed in this one thing: he only desires to be taught by the Lord.
3. A patient attitude: “and station myself on the rampart,” It is as if he has been set as a sentinel, and will remain at his post.
4. A solitary position, if need be. Notice Habakkuk speaks of himself in the singular.
5. A humble and submissive frame of mind: “and how I may reply when I am reproved.”
In all respects, a man of God must be ready for his Lord.
The delay seems to be a blessing to him, allowing him to take up these attitudes.
The blessing will be greater when it does come.


III. THE WORK OF THE LORD’S SERVANT WHILE THE PROMISE DELAYS
1. See the vision by faith. Realize the fulfillment of the divine word in your own soul. “Then the Lord answered me…”
2. Declare it as certain: record it in black and white, as it is a fact not to be questioned. “Record the vision…”
3. Declare it plainly, so that the runner may read it.
4. Declare it practically, so that he who reads it may run in consequence of it.
5. Declare it permanently: write the matter down for a record to be referred to at a later date. “inscribe it on tablets”
Weak faith and fake faith often refuses to mention expectations and the promises of God.
It is considered fanatical and unwise to be positive that God will keep His promises.
The real believer doesn’t think so, but acts with the Lord’s promises the way he would deal with honest men’s engagements: he treats them as real, and would have others do the like.


IV. THE DIFFERENCE SEEN IN MEN WHEN THE DELAY TESTS THEM
1. The graceless man is too proud to wait on God as the Lord’s servant will do. “his soul is not right within him.”
a. He is himself dishonest, so he suspects God.
b. This prevents him from finding comfort in the promise.
2. The just man believes the word of a holy God. He waits in full assurance. “the righteous will live by his faith.”
a. This verse is so important that it is quoted thrice in the New Testament: Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38-39.
b. “My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him.” – Psalm 62:5


If we were more humble, we would be patient. A beggar, who is worn with hunger, will wait at the rich man’s gate for hours and hours with the hope of food. Most of us will leave a doorstep after one or two rings of the bell. Impatience shows pride. It shows God, and/or whoever we’re impatient with, that our time is worth more than what we’re waiting for. This is why patience is a virtue. But we are like the beggar at the rich man’s gate. We do have a need to be fed by God, and we will surely die without His grace. We must, therefore, be patient.


“You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” – James 5:8