The Promise of Habakkuk
Habakkuk was a prophet of ancient Israel who stood upon a figurative watch tower, meaning his role was to warn of future threats. He saw in vision a time far distant when “the wicked compass about the righteous.” (Hab 1:4)
Even though the “earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord” and have “holy temple[s],” there is violence in the land. (Hab 2:14, 20)
First Habakkuk sees an invasion of a people “more fierce than the evening wolves.” (Hab 1:8) They are devouring people “more righteous” than themselves. (Hab 1:13) Usually the righteous are protected so this seems to be an injustice to this watchman. Because the invaded nation “has spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil [it].” (Hab 2:8)
Habakkuk sees in vision a miraculous event where God himself breaks up the fighting by an unprecedented geological event. He says, “The everlasting mountains were scattered…Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers. The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high. The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.” (Hab 3:6, 9-11) I think this means that the face of the Earth was physically changed to protect the righteous from almost certain destruction.
For those who are struggling against unsurmountable odds, there is hope. The Lord, God, will not leave you comfortless if you turn to him. It is not a small thing to God when his flock is carried away captive (Jer 13:17) “But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.” (Isa 49:25)
He will contend with our captors either to release the captive or to give the captive strength to stand up to his foes. He uses the power of his voice, as of a trumpet, sometimes from an unexpected place to call to us. “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” (Mark 1:3) In his own time and in his own way, the “burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.” (Isa 10:27)
I know that the struggle against evil is not just a metaphor but a reality. The experiences of this life provide stiff resistance to the “poor, wayfaring soul.” I speak but a few simple words, yet the compassion I have for you, dear reader, is real. Mine is an angel’s portion. You “stript, wounded [and] beaten night to death” have yet to see the miracle of your salvation. Do not despair. It will appear on the horizon as the dawning of a new day, gradually, as Peter said in 2 Peter 1:19, “a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.”