Can I summarize Habakkuk this way: I will complain; I will push back; I will stand; I will watch; I will wait; I will celebrate? I guess so, I just did.

Ask me yesterday what I know about Habakkuk and I would have been pretty quick to talk about the first four “I will”s in that list. But it’s the last two that I’m chewing on this morning.

Habakkuk starts out with “How long must I?” and “Why do You?” How long do I have to keep calling for help and You are silent God? Why do You put up with the wickedness among Your people (Hab. 1:1-4). And God condescends, answering the prophet’s questions in order to provide the prophet’s message. Your right, says God, enough’s enough! I’m going to deal with it . . . but in a way that you will find unbelievable. I will raise up the Chaldeans, “that bitter, impetuous nation”, and they will be My rod of discipline for My people. (Hab. 1:5-6).

Wait a minute, responds Habakkuk. Them? Those guys? Really? “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing” so how can You judge Your rebellious people with an even more wicked people? I don’t get it. (Hab. 1:12-17).

Nuff said. You are God and I am not. While I might know some things, You know all things. So, I will stand, and I will watch. Stand where You’ve called me, when You’ve called me, for what You’ve called me to. And I will watch to see what You have to say about “my complaint” (Hab. 2:1).

And God has something to say. After I have disciplined My people, says the Almighty, I will judge the Chaldeans (Hab. 2:2-20). Though it might not happen fast enough of you, Habakkuk, wait for it. It will happen for sure according to My perfect timing (Hab. 2:3b). Justice will prevail. Sin will be silenced. My right will overrule man’s might. For “the LORD is in His holy temple” (Hab. 2:20).

Message received, says Habakkuk (Hab. 3:1-15). How will I now respond?

Now I must quietly wait for the day of distress
to come against the people invading us.
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there is no fruit on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though the flocks disappear from the pen
and there are no herds in the stalls,
yet I will celebrate in the LORD;
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!

(Habakkuk 3:16b-18 CSB)

I must wait quietly . . . I will celebrate. How’s that for a response to knowing that, though things are eventually gonna get better, first they’re gonna get worse?

I will wait. In a sense, Habakkuk didn’t really have much of a choice. Sure, he could continue to “how long?” and “why do You?” at God but knowing that he was but a man and that God was the Most High God, at some point you just hunker down, buckle up, and hold on tight. As the psalmist put it, you try and calm your soul and quiet your mind and settle into the arms of God “like a little weaned child with its mother” because matters of global justice and infinite grace, of coming judgment and merciful patience, are matters “too great or too difficult” for us to really get too involved with (Ps. 131). So, you wait.

And I can kind of get that. That’s what hope in God’s faithfulness does, it anchors the soul, enabling you to wait out the storm. But I will celebrate?!?

Though everything tanks, though nothing goes right, though bad goes to worse, yet I will celebrate in the LORD. In my quiet waiting You will assure my soul, and, by faith, I will know that what You have said will be, will be. It is finished. Wrong will be set right, sorrow will cease, and every tear will be wiped away. The victory is won, we’re just waiting for the parade. Thus, says Habakkuk, I will celebrate. I will “jump for joy”, at least on the inside, because I know that in You we win.

I will wait quietly. I will be still and know that You are God. And through Your Son, and by Your Spirit, I will also celebrate knowing by faith that Your love is steadfast and Your promises are sure.

By Your grace. For Your glory.