The Just shall live by his faith!

Habakkuk was heartbroken over Judah's sin and unfaithfulness to God. He was upset that the Lord had not done anything about it. When God said He was raising the Babylonians, Habakkuk was upset that God would use an even more wicked nation like Babylon to discipline Judah.  Habakkuk asked God how He can even see such a wicked nation since His "eyes are too pure to look on evil" (Hab 1:13). In this context, God replies to Habakkuk, saying trouble for Judah was indeed to come, "but the just shall live by his faith" (Hab 2:4). Even amid tremendous trials and catastrophic situations like the Babylonian invasion of Judah, God said the just shall live by faith.  This is not only an encouragement, but it is also an assurance of a remnant, people faithful to God even amidst extreme difficulties!  This verse is so vital that it is quoted in the New Testament in three epistles, Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews! 

In Romans, Paul places emphasis on the words "the righteous"  and this delivered Martin Luther from his legalism and showed him the truth of God's grace through faith.  In Galatians, Paul emphasizes the words "shall live."  In Hebrews, the emphasis is on the last word, "by faith." He was not referring to 'faith in faith' or positive thinking!  When the Roman jailer in Philippi asked "What must I do to be saved?" Paul focused his faith in the Lord Jesus and said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).  When life becomes rough because of political turmoil, only our faith in the Lord Jesus can save us!  When Jezebel was trying to kill Elijah, the Lord encouraged Elijah saying, "Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal." (1 Kings 19:18).  Even in that terrible situation when Jezebel slaughtered the prophets of the living God, there was a remnant who had faith in the living God!  This gives us hope that we can be found among the remnant with God’s help!

My friend,  everyday atrocities against minorities are increasing.  We do not know what the future holds.  Just as God encouraged Habakkuk to trust in Him, today God is asking us to trust Him because the just shall live only by faith in the Lord Jesus.  May, our faith in Lord Jesus keep us as the remnant when the Lord returns!

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