Habakkuk 2 Devotional

Living by Trust While Waiting

“Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright—but the righteous will live by faith—”Habakkuk 2:4 (BSB)

Habakkuk stations himself at his watch post to hear God's answer (2:1). The answer comes with an instruction to write the vision plainly, so that a messenger can run with it, and a word about timing: the vision has an appointed time, and though it seems slow, it will come (2:2-3).

Then God draws a line between two kinds of people. The proud are crooked inside and never satisfied, but the one who is right with God lives by trusting him (2:4-5). Paul uses this verse to show that the righteousness God gives comes by faith from start to finish (Romans 1:17). Five woes follow, against plunder, unjust gain, bloodshed, shaming neighbors, and idols that cannot speak (2:6-19). Their labor feeds the fire, while the LORD's glory will one day be known across the earth (2:13-14). When answers are slow, faith is not a lesser option but the way God's people live, quiet before the LORD in his holy temple (2:20).

To think about: What are you waiting on God for right now, and what would it look like to live by trusting him while you wait?