From Fear to Faith: A Study of the Book of Habakkuk Waiting for and Walking in God s Vision! Habakkuk1:13-2:3 Pastor John Lloyd August 15-16, 2015

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1 From Fear to Faith: A Study of the Book of Habakkuk Waiting for and Walking in God s Vision! Habakkuk1:13-2:3 Pastor John Lloyd August 15-16, 2015 We live in a time when we desperately need the vision of God to navigate our lives. Habakkuk was facing impending doom for his homeland. He asked God for help. God s answer was to write the vision down so that anyone who reads it could run with it. Vision is what carries us through difficulties and setbacks. Today, we explore how to wait and walk in God s vision. Enjoying the Journey, PJ Habakkuk 2:1 I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. Memory Verse: 2 And the LORD answered me: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. 3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. Big Idea: God will pour out His vision to prepared and expectant souls. Wait for God s vision, walk in God s vision! The best is yet to come! How can I wait for and walk in God s vision for my life? I. Pouring out your prepares the heart for vision. Habakkuk 1:2 O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you Violence! and you will not save? Proverbs 16:1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. (NKJV)

2 Philippians 3:7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Habakkuk 1:16 Therefore he sacrifices to his net and makes offerings to his dragnet; for by them he lives in luxury, and his food is rich. 17 Is he then to keep on emptying his net and mercilessly killing nations forever? (Haggai 1:6) Ask God to show you what you need to pour out to Him. Pour it out and leave it with God! The best is yet to come! II. Expect God to and to bring His vision. Habakkuk 2:1 I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. A. Ask God to reveal a fresh of His glory. 2 Corinthians 3:18a And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. (Ephesians 1:18) 2 Thessalonians 2:14To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Psalm 19:1The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. (John 17:5) B. Expect God to breathe His vison into your. Habakkuk 1:5 Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. (John 4:35)

3 Lord, show me what you are doing. Show me what you want me to do. The best is yet to come! III. Write down the, run after God s! Habakkuk 2:2And the LORD answered me: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. Devotional life: I Timothy 4:15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Purity: I Thessalonians 4: 3For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; (4:4) Marriage/relationships: Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, Finances: Matthew 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. Word: Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Brothers: 2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. Habakkuk 2:3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. (John 4:34, Ephesians 3:20) Lord, help us to run after Your vision in every area of our lives! We believe the best is yet to come!

4 Growth Group Questions for August 19, Read Habakkuk 1:13-2:3. Summarize in your own words what s going on this passage. 2. Read Habakkuk 1:13 & I Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 5:21. How does Jesus solve for us the problem of God s eyes being too pure to look upon evil? 3. Read Habakkuk 1: What are the main things that Habakkuk is upset about God using the Chaldeans/Babylonians to punish Judah? 4. Read Habakkuk 2:1. Where does Habakkuk go to seek God s answer? What kind of answer does Habakkuk expect the Lord to give him after his second complaint? What do you expect to hear from God after you complain to Him? Where do you go to hear from God? 5. Read Psalm 27:14, 130:5-6, Lamentations 3:25-26, Luke 18:7-8. What do these verses teach us about waiting? What helps you to wait? 6. Read Psalm 62:1-8. What can we learn from the Psalmist as he faces difficulties? What verse speaks to you from this passage? Why is it important? 7. Read Habakkuk 2:2. What kind of vision is God talking about here? Why is it important to write it down? 8. Read Habakkuk 2:2-3. There are two thoughts in this passage. One is to write God s vision and the other is to trust His Word. Spend some time asking God to give you a fresh vision/battle plan for success for your life this fall and a vision for your spiritual life, family, finances, friends, witness, and ministry. 9. Read 2 Corinthians 2:11. What are the main obstacles you sense would keep you from moving forward with God s vision for your life? What plan and people will help you to overcome them? Ask a fellow group member or friend to pray for you to have a fresh vision/ battle plan for success for this fall and also for strength to wait for what God puts on your heart. Write down both your request and theirs to pray for it.

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