God’s Perfect Will
Habakkuk 3:1-15
Scripture Reading:
#1. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2).
#2. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows (Matthew 10:28-31).
Prayer of Praise: Refer to the verses above and hymn below.
1 Whate'er my God ordains is right:
his holy will abideth;
I will be still, whate'er he doth,
and follow where he guideth.
He is my God; though dark my road,
he holds me that I shall not fall:
wherefore to him I leave it all.
2 Whate'er my God ordains is right:
he never will deceive me;
he leads me by the proper path;
I know he will not leave me.
I take, content, what he hath sent;
his hand can turn my griefs away,
and patiently I wait his day.
3 Whate'er my God ordains is right:
though now this cup, in drinking,
may bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking.
My God is true; each morn anew
sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
and pain and sorrow shall depart.
4 Whate'er my God ordains is right:
here shall my stand be taken;
though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
yet am I not forsaken.
My Father's care is round me there;
he holds me that I shall not fall:
and so to him I leave it all.
Reading of the Law: Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:8-12)
Silent Confession of Sin/Confession of Sin: Most holy and merciful Father, we confess to you and to one another, that we have sinned against you by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not fully loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not always had in us the mind of Christ. You alone know how often we have grieved you by wasting your gifts, by wandering from your ways. Forgive us, we pray you, most merciful Father; and free us from our sin. Renew in us the grace and strength of your Holy Spirit, for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.
Reading of the Gospel: And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14)
Confession of Faith: Westminster Larger Catechism - Questions 51-55
Question #51
Q. What was the estate of Christ’s exaltation?
A. The estate of Christ’s exaltation comprehendeth his resurrection, ascension, sitting at the right hand of the Father, and his coming again to judge the world.
1 Cor. 15:4; Mark 16:19; Eph. 1:20; Acts 1:11; Acts 17:31.
Question #52
Q. How was Christ exalted in his resurrection?
A. Christ was exalted in his resurrection, in that, not having seen corruption in death (of which it was not possible for him to be held) and having the very same body in which he suffered, with the essential properties thereof (but without mortality and other common infirmities belonging to this life) really united to his soul, he rose again from the dead the third day by his own power; whereby he declared himself to be the Son of God, to have satisfied divine justice, to have vanquished death, and him that had the power of it, and to be Lord of quick and dead: all which he did as a public person, the head of his church, for their justification, quickening in grace, support against enemies, and to assure them of their resurrection from the dead at the last day.
Acts 2:24, 27; Luke 24:39; Rom. 6:9; Rev. 1:18; John 10:18; Rom. 1:4; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 2:14; Rom. 14:9; 1 Cor. 15:21-22; Eph. 1:20, 22-23; Col. 1:18; Rom. 4:25; Eph. 2:1, 5-6; Col. 2:12; 1 Cor. 15:25-27; 1 Cor. 15:20.
Question #53
Q. How was Christ exalted in his ascension?
A. Christ was exalted in his ascension, in that having after his resurrection often appeared unto and conversed with his apostles, speaking to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and giving them commission to preach the gospel to all nations, forty days after his resurrection, he, in our nature and as our head, triumphing over enemies, visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to receive gifts for men, to raise up our affections thither, and to prepare a place for us, where himself is and shall continue till his second coming at the end of the world.
Acts 1:2-3; Matt. 28:19-20; Heb. 6:20; Eph. 4:8; Acts 1:9-11; Eph. 4:10; Ps. 68:18; Col. 3:1-2; John 14:3; Acts 3:21.
Question #54
Q. How is Christ exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God?
A. Christ is exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God, in that as God-man he is advanced to the highest favor with God the Father, with all fullness of joy, glory, and power over all things in heaven and earth; and doth gather and defend his Church, and subdue their enemies; furnisheth his ministers and people with gifts and graces, and maketh intercession for them.
Phil. 2:9; Acts 2:28; Ps. 16:11; John 17:5; Eph. 1:22; 1 Pet. 3:22; Eph. 4:10-12;Ps. 110:1; Rom. 8:34.
Question #55
Q. How doth Christ make intercession?
A. Christ maketh intercession, by his appearing in our nature continually before the Father in heaven, in the merit of his obedience and sacrifice on earth, declaring his will to have it applied to all believers; answering all accusations against them, and procuring for them quiet of conscience, notwithstanding daily failings, access with boldness to the throne of grace, and acceptance of their persons and services.
Heb. 9:12, 24; Heb. 1:3; John 3:16; John 17:9, 20, 24; Rom. 8:33-34; Rom. 5:1-2; 1 John 2:1-2; Heb. 4:16; Eph. 1:6; 1 Pet. 2:5.
Prayer of Thanksgiving: Thank God that he loves us perfectly and that his care for us is never changes.
Prayer of Supplication Supplication: Ask God to watch over those who are lonely and to heal the sick.
Bible reading and commentary: Habakkuk 3:1-15
After Habakkuk’s two complaints and God’s corresponding answers, this last chapter reveals the transformation that has occurred in the depths of the prophet’s soul. Habakkuk’s prayer of praise, petition, recollection, and thanksgiving has much to teach us about the nature of prayer.
In verse 2, as Habakkuk stands before God, the prophet, with reverence, recognizes the holy and righteous purpose of God (“your work, O Lord, do I fear”) but also the grace of God (“in (your) wrath remember mercy”). Then, despite the struggles that he is experiencing, Habakkuk asks that God’s perfect will would be done (“in the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known”). The prophet recognizes God’s unsearchable plan for establishing his kingdom and offers to God a prayer of trust and confidence, with reverence and awe, knowing that God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:28-29).
Many prayers of trust found in the Bible begin by recounting God’s faithfulness in the past (Psalm 90) and reveal steadfast hope in God’s promises for the future (Psalm 121). Because of God’s past faithfulness and future promises, we can pray with faith in the present without losing heart (Luke 18:1). In Habakkuk’s prayer, he remembers God’s faithfulness in Israel’s history, recalling deliverance from Egypt’s bondage (Habakkuk 3:5), safe passage through the Red Sea (v 8), defeat of Canaanite enemies (v 11), and establishment in the Promised Land. “Your anointed” (v 13) referred to the Davidic king and the people he represented, but the word used there is the Hebrew word from which we get “Messiah.” The final Davidic heir, representing God’s people, was yet to come.
In reviewing God’s faithfulness in Israel’s history, Habakkuk can face his fears with faith and trust in the God of all history. For at the end of all human history, the Messiah did come. God truly did “in wrath remember mercy” (v 2). At the cross of Christ, God’s wrath was poured out on his own Son, so that we who trust in Christ might be washed clean in an astounding act of mercy.
Closing Hymn: The Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. Amen.
Closing Scripture: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us (Eph. 1:7-8).
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.