Living by Faith

One OT prophet asked God something that I’ve asked, as do many others. We watch the news on Saturday and hear of atrocities and realize some of the victims are God’s people. Then we go to church on Sunday and hear about the goodness of God and wonder the same question the prophet asked:

You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he? (Habakkuk 1:13)

What is God doing when evil people abuse, persecute, and even slaughter His people? Habakkuk asked and explained his dismay then said, “I will take my stand at my watch post 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.” (Habakkuk 2:1)

Habakkuk wrote about 640–615 b.c., just before the fall of Assyria and the rise of Babylon. God used Assyria to punish Israel and was about to use Babylon to punish Assyria and Judah. When this prophet understood that would happen, he was upset, yet he wisely waited on God for the answer. God did not have to tell him, but He gave an answer that is familiar to believers. It was repeated three times in the NT, each in a different context, but it fits everyone who has been justified by faith:

Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4)
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)
Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11)
But my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” (Hebrews 10:38)

I was given eternal life by faith, justified by faith, and of course must live by faith. This means ceasing from my own works and yielding to Jesus Christ who works in me to do what He wills for my life.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6–7)

I received Him by faith and not my own effort or claiming any worth or works, totally trusting Him. And so must I live, even when my sovereign Savior does things that I do not understand or expect.

In the past few weeks I’m hearing God say many things about His power to use evil for good. He even used all Satan’s plans to fulfill His Redemption plan. His power overrides all evil and uses (and even plans) calamity for His purposes… always because of His great love for people and His opposition to evil. In this, I must trust Him. Walk by faith, even though I cannot see or understand. Just trust Him. Endure in faith. Be filled with His Spirit and rejoice that He is in control and that He wisely knows what He is doing.

His wisdom, power, and righteousness are all engaged for His people. I trust Him for eternal life and must have that same trust when He takes any believer out of this world, no matter the method. We have an eternal hope. So did Habakkuk, and this is why God could tell him to walk by faith. He could do it because he was made just before God by faith.

PRAY: Jesus, I know that walking by faith is for those who have been saved from sin by faith. Trusting God when I watch the news would be impossible without the faith You granted me at salvation. Denying what my flesh tends to want (proof) or believe (only what I see) yet faith enables me to be dead to that and alive to trusting You in this messed up world. You remain on the throne and remain the One to trust no matter what is going on around me. I’m so grateful for the gift of faith.