The final words of Habakkuk’s prophesy are a prayer (Hab. 3:16-19).  The prophet had begun with a cry of complaint, “How long, O Lord, must I cry for help” (1:2). God then revealed to him how he was working mightily in his day in an most unexpected manner.  Habakkuk vowed to keep watch for a move of God. “I will wait to see what the Lord says and how he will answer my complaint” (2:1).

He ends by rejoicing in the Lord. “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour” (Hab. 3:19).  “Like Habakkuk, we need to start where he begins in his dialogue with God: “How long….Why? (1:2-3).  Like Habakkuk, we need to reach the place where we can quietly say, “though….Yet I will rejoice in the Lord (3:17-18)…….Questioning God is acceptable, but refusing to trust him is our downfall, for whatever the circumstances, personal grief or national disaster, the just God, the sovereign Lord gives strength to the righteous person of faith.” (BST).  

In verse 16 Habakkuk describes the impact on his awareness of God’s activity.  His heart is pounding, his lips quiver and his legs tremble.   He is deeply troubled by the prospects of God’s coming  judgement.  “I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled.” (3:16).  He knows he will be living in the midst of God’s judgment.  

Habakkuk’s view of the coming days had now been deeply informed by God speaking to him.  When we experience the prospects of God’s judgment on our nation, with a fervent belief for God to will bring revival, we can experience, “deep agony of spirit for the state of God’s people and of the nation, fervent intercession for the intervention of God in saving power, increasing awareness of the inevitability of judgment and of the human suffering which accompanies it, and intense person engagement with God’s word for the present situation” (BST).    

He has no idea how revival would happen.  In desperation he  cried out to God.  God gave Habakkuk assurance of his presence in the culture, but not in the way anticipated by the prophet.  Habakkuk had prayed, “In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by.  And in your anger, remember your mercy” (3:2).  The prophet did not know how his prayer would be answered. 

He only could wait.  “Habakkuk has been transformed from an impatient prophet into a calm and expectant one.” Earlier Habakkuk had been told to wait for God’s will to be accomplished. Habakkuk had reminded God of past revivals. “I have heard of all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works” (3:2b).

But in the present, it did not look very hopeful. But God was at working in history to bring about his purpose, even as he has been using the Babylonians. “If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place.  It will not be delayed” (2:3b).  The prophet was encouraged by God in his waiting. “But the person in right standing before God through loyal and steady believing is fully alive, really alive” (2:4 Message).   

Men, this a vital lesson for us to learn.  As we pray and seek God’s will, it might seem that God is not at work in our culture.  God can change our attitude from lament to hopeful praise, knowing that God will at the right time bring revival.  Habakkuk ends with praise “yet I will rejoice in the Lord!  I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! (3:18).