Will There Be Justice?
Habakkuk 1:1-11
Scripture Reading:
#1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)
#2 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed your fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. (1 John 1:1-5)
Prayer of Praise: Refer to the verses above and hymn below.
Hymn: He Leadeth Me
1 He leadeth me, O blessed thought!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
Refrain:
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful foll’wer I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.
2 Sometimes ’mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters still, o’er troubled sea,
Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me. [Refrain]
3 Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me. [Refrain]
4 And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me. [Refrain]
Reading of the Law: “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. (Matthew 6:24)
Silent Confession of Sin/Confession of Sin: Almighty God, we are unworthy to come into your presence, because of our many sins. We do not deserve any grace or mercy from you, if you dealt with us as we deserve. We have sinned against you, O Lord, and we have offended you. And yet, O Lord, as we acknowledge our sins and offenses, so also do we acknowledge you to be a merciful God, a loving and favorable Father, to all who turn to you. And so we humbly ask you, for the sake of Christ your son, to show mercy to us, and forgive us all our offenses. Forgive the sins of our youth, and the sins of our old age. By your Spirit, O God, take possession of our hearts, so that, not only the actions of our life, but also the words of our mouths, and the smallest thought of our minds, may be guided and governed by you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
Reading of the Gospel: The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:8-12).
Confession of Faith: Westminster Larger Catechism - Questions 31-35
Question #31
Q. With whom was the covenant of grace made?
A. The covenant of grace was made with Christ as the second Adam, and in him with all the elect as his seed.
Gal. 3:16; Rom. 5:15-21; Isa. 53:10-11.
Question #32
Q. How is the grace of God manifested in the second covenant?
A. The grace of God is manifested in the second covenant, in that he freely provideth and offereth to sinners a Mediator, and life and salvation by him; and, requiring faith as the condition to interest them in him, promiseth and giveth his Holy Spirit to all his elect, to work in them that faith, with all other saving graces; and to enable them unto all holy obedience, as the evidence of the truth of their faith and thankfulness to God, and as the way which he hath appointed them to salvation.
Gen. 3:15; Isa. 42:6; John 6:27; 1 John 5:11-12; John 3:16; John 1:12; Prov. 1:23; 2 Cor. 4:13; Gal. 5:22-23; Ezek. 36:27; Jas. 2:18, 22; 2 Cor. 5:14-15; Eph. 2:10.
Question 33
Q. Was the covenant of grace always administered after one and the same manner?
A. The covenant of grace was not always administered after the same manner, but the administrations of it under the Old Testament were different from those under the New.
2 Cor. 3:6-9.
Question #34
Q. How was the covenant of grace administered under the Old Testament?
A. The covenant of grace was administered under the Old Testament, by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the passover, and other types and ordinances, which did all fore-signify Christ then to come, and were for that time sufficient to build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah, by whom they then had full remission of sin, and eternal salvation.
Rom. 15:8; Acts 3:20, 24; Heb. 10:1; Rom. 4:11; 1 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 8-10, 11:13; Gal. 3:7-9, 14.
Question #35
Q. How is the covenant of grace administered under the New Testament?
A. Under the New Testament, when Christ the substance was exhibited, the same covenant of grace was and still is to be administered in the preaching of the Word, and the administration of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper; in which grace and salvation are held forth in more fullness, evidence, and efficacy, to all nations.
Mark 16:15; Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-25; 2 Cor. 3:6-18; Heb. 8:6, 10, 11; Matt. 28:19.
Prayer of Thanksgiving: Thank God for our Pastors who have zeal for God, his Word and his people.
Prayer of Supplication Supplication: Pray for peace in the world and for God’s Word to spread throughout these dark lands.
Bible reading and commentary: Habakkuk 1:1-11
The book begins with the prophet Habakkuk’s first of two complaints (1:2-4) and God’s unexpected response (1:5-11). As he sees the sins of immorality, lawlessness, and idolatry all around him, Habakkuk questions God and wonders, “Why do you idly look at wrong?” (v. 3). Amid Israel’s internal spiritual corruption and external political pressure, the prophet begins to doubt whether there will be justice against evil and mercy for the faithful. Throughout the ages God’s children, like Habakkuk, have often expressed this complaint. Job wondered why God seemed absent amid his difficult circumstances (Job 3), and Israel cried out during its wilderness wanderings, “Is the Lord among us or not?” (Exod. 17:7)
God’s response was not what the prophet ever imagined or desired: God is surely among his people, will help them, and will bring them justice. But he will do it through the violent and haughty nation of Babylon (“the Chaldeans”; Habakkuk 1:6).
Through this perplexing response God challenges not only Habakkuk’s faith but ours as well. That God can bring good from evil is a theme that is repeated throughout the entire Bible, such as in Joseph’s words to his brothers: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). God’s response to Habakkuk also foreshadows the ultimate good---eternal salvation---that would come through the ultimate evil---execution of the sinless Son of God nailed to a cross.
Yet in the immeasurable wisdom of God, on that cross, justice and mercy meet. Jesus receives the penalty that the justice of God requires for sin and we receive, through faith, God’s mercy in forgiveness of sin and the promise of eternal life (Romans 3:21-26). Because God’s providential use of people and events is both purposeful and personal, we can continue to have faith amid frustration.
Notes: in verse 1 the word “Oracle” translates a common word for “burden” (Heb. “massa”), but when used in the Prophets it may signify a prophetic oracle (Isaiah 14:4). Jeremiah 20:9 and Amos 3:8 suggest that once God gives a message, it becomes a “burden” until the prophet announces it.
In verse 2 Habakkuk uses the covenant name for God, “Lord”, which emphasizes the relationship between God and the prophet. Only believers can truly call God, “Lord”. God’s covenant (of grace) with Abraham is the reason we have a personal relationship with God. In a sense, the covenant of grace, allows or permits us to have a relationship with God. Without a covenant there is no relationship. Think of a marriage covenant or a covenant with a contractor. The relationship changes once the covenant is ratified or sealed.
Closing Hymn: The Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
Closing Scripture: The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6:24-27)
The Lord’s Prayer (together):
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.