Speaking with the God of the Unexpected

July 4, 2010

Lewis Winkler

Habakkuk 1

Introduction:

HabakkukHabakkuk: The Man and the Times : The Man and the Times behind the Messagebehind the Message

Types of Prophets Major:

Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel

Minor: Nahum Jonah Micah

Time and Message of Habakkuk: Between 606 and 597 BC

An Interactive and Prophetic “Theodicy” or Explanation of God’s Purposes and Ways in the World

Talk about it:

Share about a time in your life when you questioned what God was doing in your life or in the life of others close to you.

Habakkuk 1: 2-4: A Question and a Call for Justice Places of Injustice in the Modern World:

Myanmar

China

Sudan

North Korea

Etc.

The ISOT, The ISOT, California Saga: California Saga: A Call for Justice A Call for Justice Closer to HomeCloser to Home

Habakkuk 1:5-11: God’s Unexpected Response:

I will use the I will use the Chaldeans Chaldeans (Babylonians) (Babylonians) to punish the to punish the ungodly ungodly nation of nation of Israel.Israel.

What Habakkuk Might Have Expected God to Say to His Pleading:

I will use you Habakkuk to punish the ungodly in the land and be a righteous leader for the people.

The ground will open up, just as it did at Mt. Sinai, and swallow whole all of the ungodly in the land.

Habakkuk 1:5-11: God’s Unexpected Response:

I will use North Korea to punish Singapore for being too oppressive and controlling of its people!?!

The ISOT, California Saga:

The End of an The End of an Era:Era:

ISOT, California: ISOT, California: 1979-20021979-2002

Habakkuk 1:12-17: Habakkuk’s Consternation and Confusion The Babylonians were more unrighteous

than the Israelites!

They worshiped their own might and wisdom rather than the one true God!

How can God ordain this kind of seemingly unrighteous judgment?

The ISOT, California Saga:The ISOT, California Saga:

Letting Go of the Loss and Trusting God Letting Go of the Loss and Trusting God through the Apparent Injustice of It Allthrough the Apparent Injustice of It All

Forgiving Those Who Allowed and Forgiving Those Who Allowed and Carried Out the InjusticeCarried Out the Injustice

Habakkuk 2:1: Habakkuk’s Wait for an Explanation

I will stand, watch and wait expectantly for your response.

I am willing to receive a divine rebuke and repent of my attitude of incredulity.

Conclusion and Application: Read to the end of the story.

Ask God for insight and then vigilantly listen and wait for His answer.

Trust in God even when you do not fully understand His answer to your question.

“Questions”by Steven Curtis Chapman

Who are You God

For You are turning out to be So much different than I imagined

And where are You God Cuz I am finding life to be

So much harder than I had planned

“Questions”by Steven Curtis Chapman

Know that I am afraid To ask these questions

But You know they are there

And if You know my heart The way that I believe You do You know that I believe in You

Still I have these questions

“Questions”by Steven Curtis Chapman

Like How could You God How could You be so good and strong

And make a world that can be so painful

And where were You God I know You had to be right there I know You never turn Your head

“Questions”by Steven Curtis Chapman

You know that I’m confused By all this mystery

You know I get afraid But if You know my heart

As completely as I trust You do Oh You know that I trust in You

“Questions”by Steven Curtis Chapman

Is it true that for every tear I cry You cry a thousand more

Cuz You weep for those that weep

And are You, just holding Yourself back From crushing all the pain and evil in this world

For reasons we just cant understand for now

“Questions”by Steven Curtis Chapman

But isn’t there a day of redemption comingOhhh

Redemption is comingOhhh

Quickly Lord, come quicklyLord, come quickly

OhhhOhhh

“Questions”by Steven Curtis Chapman

So who am I God That You would raise me from the dust

To breathe Your life and Your love in me You know that I believe