“Was your wrath against the rivers, O LORD? Was your anger against the rivers, or your indignation against the sea, when you rode on your horses, on your chariot of salvation? You stripped the sheath from your bow, calling for many arrows. Selah. You split the earth with rivers. The mountains saw you and writhed; the raging waters swept on; the deep gave forth its voice; it lifted its hands on high. The sun and moon stood still in their place at the light of your arrows as they sped, at the flash of your glittering spear.” (Habakkuk 3:8-11 ESV)
When we make promises as humans, there are times when we lack the necessary power or authority to bring them about. We might make the promise without fully considering the weight of it or how the fulfillment of that promise may be more complicated than we initially thought. Even if we take our word seriously, we cannot always guarantee that what we say will ultimately happen.
Not so with God. He not only has the authority to make whatever promises he pleases but also possesses the necessary power to carry them through to completion. This truth makes God’s promises supremely encouraging to his people. There need be no doubt that his promises will be brought to fruition, even those which seem too wonderful to be true.
God’s promise to give the land of Canaan to Abraham’s descendants provides proof of this to Habakkuk and to us. In fulfilling his word, the Lord worked in miraculous ways over and over. When Habakkuk asks, “Was your wrath against the rivers, O LORD? Was your anger against the rivers, or your indignation against the sea, when you rode on your horses, on your chariot of salvation?” his mind is undoubtedly considering the parting of the Red Sea and the River Jordan as Israel left Egypt and entered the Promised Land. The Lord abruptly altered the state of the waters by dramatically parting them. It was as if he struck the water, causing it to retreat before him as a foe would retreat before a victorious king. God omnipotently made a way for his people in such a tangible way that it almost appeared wrathful toward the natural elements that stood in their way.
God’s salvation, as demonstrated through the Exodus and inhabiting of Canaan, was procured by virtue of his power. Therefore, Habakkuk knew that God was also able to preserve his people during the imminent destruction of Babylon.
The imagery continues as Habakkuk describes God as arming himself with a bow and sending arrows against his enemies. The conquest of Canaan was not only promised and commanded by God but also enabled and empowered by him. It was God who fought Israel’s battles even more than her soldiers did. For God to promise that he would ultimately redeem his people from Babylon and punish Babylon for their sins likely seemed like a promise that would be unimaginably difficult to fulfill. In order to assure himself of the faithfulness of God’s promises, Habakkuk considered how God had fulfilled an equally unlikely promise in the past.
Habakkuk continues his reflection on God’s past acts of deliverance, saying that it as as if even the mountains melted before God and the waters raised their voice before this inexorable will. Neither the earth nor the creatures on it could stay the hand of God.
Beyond the earth and its inhabitants, the very laws that govern the created universe are subject to God’s power. Referencing Joshua 10, Habakkuk says, “The sun and moon stood still in their place.” Earth’s revolution was halted in order that God’s people could gain the victory over their enemies.
This is the God Habakkuk served and the same God we serve. While we ought not expect that he will regularly work in such miraculous ways, the past provides us with plenty of such examples to strengthen our confidence to hold on to each and every one of his promises. God is not plagued by the forgetfulness, ignorance, and impotence that so often render our promises fruitless. Just like Habakkuk, in times of desperation, it is often necessary to remind ourselves of this truth.
The eternal and omnipotent Creator and Sustainer of the universe will not fail to keep his promises.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
What a comfort it is to see you fulfill your promises in such wonderfully powerful ways. May we rest secure on your promises knowing that we are held in your almighty hand.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Prayer Requests:
- Tuesday: Pray for discipleship initiatives in South Asia.
- Wednesday: Pray for missionaries serving in Zambia.
- Thursday: Pray for all those participating on short-term medical missions trips.
- Friday: Pray for missionaries training other believers to share the gospel with grace and truth with LGBTQ individuals.
- Saturday: Pray for more laborers to be sent into the harvest field.
- Sunday: Pray for missionaries serving in Romania.
- Monday: Pray for missionaries serving in educational ministries.
Featured Serving Opportunity:
Administrative Assistant – Bookkeeping and Administration
Location: Australia
As ABWE Australia continues to expand its ministry, the team is looking for an office administrator to help support the work of church plants, edit and publish literature stock for distribution, and coordinate events.
