“For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come, and will not tarry. Now, the just shall live by faith…” Hebrews 10:37,38
In the book of Habakkuk in the Old Testament, we find a man, one whom we call a minor prophet, who is terribly burdened by the judgement of God coming upon Judah, and Jerusalem, by the hand of the Babylonians. Habakkuk knows God, the righteousness and holiness of God, but also, the mercy and grace of God. He knows that God will do exactly what he has declared, fulfilling His work perfectly. And yet, in that perfect faithfulness of God is also found, even in the approaching menace of a terrifying foe and destructive enemy, a God who does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked, nor does He willing afflict by the judgment and suffering of His people. In the case of the Hebrew nation, which had abandoned God, turning their back upon all that is good in Christ, a limit was reached, a line crossed where the attitude of the people was resolutely in defiance of God, the very God who had chosen them to be His own, saved them from the tyranny of Egypt, brought them into a promised land of milk and honey, and revealed His glory to them, not only by the written law of God, but by the very manifestation of the Life and power of God in His prophets, and those of true faith. God had done all for Israel to bless her, especially with the promise of a Messiah, a Redeemer from Sins, and Giver of Life. Israel had come to the place in her heart where she would no longer receive the revelation of God, but turn resolutely to her own ideas of god, embracing worthless idols in God’s place, descending the slope of debauchery and decay. God had sent her His prophets to call her back, and away from the approaching cliff of destruction and despair, but she would not hear, nor repent, turning back to Him. The approaching army of the Chaldeans would be the last resort to save a remnant, restore the kingdom, and bring the people back to true faith in Christ. Habakkuk was a man who lived by a promise, not only that there was a hope beyond this “correction” of Israel, but that the ever-present God would remain the One who would “revive” His work in the midst of the years, the One who would remain the “God of my salvation,” the very strength of anyone, and all, who would truly trust, and obey Him. The blessing of God was in the heart of Habakkuk when he declared in the midst of the coming darkness and trouble, “He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.” (3:20) Like the promises given to the prophet Jeremiah of old, and to Isaiah to whom He would declare, “…speak comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry to her, that her warfare is ended,” (Is. 40:2) God would provide His people with a hope. Jeremiah would write down the Lord’s words for his people, declaring: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11)
What is the essence of the blessing of the Lord, the hope of the believer? It is simply, clearly expressed in the book of Hebrews: “…for yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and not tarry.” The great truths of Scripture which speak of God meeting man in his extremity are found in the promise of His revealed presence and power. So, all believers are called to “Be still, and know, that He is God.” They are called also to draw near to God, by faith in Christ, according to the worth and power of His precious blood. God has provided a perpetually new and living way into His very presence, there to know Him by faith in His faithfulness.
Dear Father, Make us see Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.