“I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what He will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.” Habakkuk 2:1
Dear Ones:
Perhaps one of the greatest assurances in Scripture with regard to God speaking to our hearts is found in Jesus’ words in the Gospel of John concerning the ministry of the Spirit. “When He, the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come.” (Jn. 16:13) Here we have clearly before us an aspect of the ministry of the Spirit of God to every believer. It is that of communicating to us the truth of God, speaking that which comes from God, designed and designated for the heart of the believer. Christ is very clear here: “He shall speak…the truth.”
Another reason for which the believer is to believe that God will speak to his or her heart concerns the matter of communion with God. We know from Paul’s writings that we have been “…called unto the fellowship (communion) of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Cor. 1:9) John the Apostle wrote in the book of the Revelation that Jesus stands at the door and knocks. He then adds: “If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with Me.” (3:20) Here is Jesus speaking to the heart. He does so by the Spirit. That which He speaks is always the truth, there being absolutely NO deception in it. The second thing that we need to understand is that no one believer is privileged above another in this regard. Jesus speaks to whoever will hear Him. The ministry of the Spirit of God, elaborated upon in the gospels, and demonstrated as being for all believers on the day of Pentecost, is for whoever will believe God, and trust Him, to speak. The question then becomes, “How do we know He is speaking to the heart, and how do we discern what He is saying?”
In Habakkuk’s day, we find this very godly man, who loved his people, tremendously moved and very concerned about what was about to come upon the land of Israel. There was an impending invasion by the Chaldeans that was approaching. It is in the context of this very dark storm, which God was to allow because of Israel’s rebellion against Him, that Habakkuk would seek the word of the Lord. His words, and the response of God, reveals to us that, for the heart that truly seeks Him, and believes in the clear communication and conviction of His words, there is light, hope, and direction.
The first thing Habakkuk did in order to hear the Lord’s voice was to take a position of faith, and humility. In essence, Habakkuk planted his feet, “set himself upon the tower,” and with great resolve, BELIEVED that God would answer him. Secondly, He “watched to see” what God would say to him. In other words, he lived in the perspective and attitude that God WOULD answer him. He was sure that it was just a matter of time before God would speak to him. There was also great humility in the attitude of Habakkuk , as he was receptive, even expecting God to reprove, or correct him. In other words, Habakkuk was teachable, open, and responsive to what the Lord would say. It is then that he would write: “And the Lord answered me, and said.” (2:2) The word that the Lord gives him is not just for Habakkuk alone, but for the benefit of the people. The Lord instructs those who would listen to the word, “to run.” Why? Because circumstances have been set in motion in this circumstance that will not change the direction of God’s dealings with the people. However, for those who will “live by faith,” and obey, there is salvation and hope.
Dear Father, Thou who hast given to every believer the Spirit of God, give us to hear Thy voice in truth, and respond wholeheartedly in faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad