Habakkuk 3

Use 3. Comfort to the godly, 1. In case of losses, if an estate be almost boiled away to nothing; if we lose dear friends by death, here is a double eclipse; but this is the comfort, God is unchangeable; I may lose these things, but I cannot lose my God, he never dies. When the…

He that has this joy can be cheerful in the deficiency of carnal joys; he can rejoice in God, and sure hope of glory. Though the fig-tree does not flourish (Habakkuk 3:17), spiritual joy can go without silver crutches to support it. Spiritual joy is higher built than upon creatu…

(3.) In the pains of Hell there is no mitigation, no mixture of mercy. In this life, God in anger remembers mercy, (Habakkuk 3:2) but in Hell there is no alleviation or lessening of the pains: as in the sacrifice of jealousy, (Numbers 5:15) God would have no oil or frankincense…

A man by falling into the briars is saved from falling into the river: God lets us fall into the briars of affliction that we may not drown in perdition: it is a great favor when a lesser punishment is inflicted to prevent a greater: is it not clemency in the judge when he lays…

And how glorious is God, and his works of judgments, whereat even Kings themselves do tremble? And the Prophet Habakkuk says, that when he but heard of God's judgments to come, his belly trembled, his lips shook, rottenness entered into his bones, Habakkuk 3:16. And thus Noah he…

Sense and reason are too low of stature to see Christ; faith climbs up, not into the tree as Zacchaeus, but within the veil, and there sees Jesus: a holy person sends out faith as a spy to view the land of promise; faith unties difficulties (Romans 4:18). Who against hope believ…

Now it is difficult to keep down the proud and unbelieving heart in holy quietude and sweet submission at the foot of God. It is an easy thing to talk of trusting God for daily bread while we have a full barn or purse; but to say as the prophet (Habakkuk 3:17): 'Though the fig t…

The form of any man is most seen in his face, there was a glorious shining brightness, Luke says the fashion of his countenance was altered, Matthew that his face did shine as the sun. And in the glorious description of God in the Prophet Habakkuk, it is said (Habakkuk 3:2), And…

But thus it pleases him to make known that we are so nearly joined to him, that he counts it as done to his own Majesty which is done to us. This manner of speech is found often in other places, as when it is said, that God went forth for the salvation of his people, even for th…

But some may think it strange that he calls him his anointed, seeing this title only pertained to the kings of Judah and Israel, in regard that they represented Christ's person. For to speak properly there is but one anointed of the Lord: according to which Habakkuk says; You we…

He so profanes his church then, that is to say, prostitutes it, and gives it up as a prey into the enemies' hands, that neither do his elect thereby perish, nor yet is his eternal covenant violated. In fact, in the midst of his wrath he remembers mercy (Habakkuk 3:2), and mitiga…

Here also is an evident designed Distinction between the Soul and the Flesh. The Prophet Habakkuk speaks of his Body's being overborne, by a Sense of the Majesty of God, Habakkuk 3:16. When I heard, my Belly trembled, my Lips quivered at the Voice, Rottenness entered into my Bon…

And on the contrary, how convincingly clear are those Providences, that demonstrate the Being, wisdom, Power, Love and Faithfulness of God, in the supporting, preserving and delivering of the Righteous, in all their dangers, fears and difficulties? In these things the Lord shews…

Or why should Job take revenge upon his day? But as the Prophet says (Habakkuk 3:8), Was the Lord displeased against the rivers? was his wrath against the sea? Should the Lord set his anger against irrational creatures?

And not only so, but to give in the midst of them, solid consolation and joy. So the prophet expresss it; Habakkuk 3:17, 18. Although the Fig-tree shall not blessom, neither shall fruit be in the Vines, the labor of the Olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the f…

We will believe him whil we have the certainty of our sense to secure us. And if we deal so with God what is there in our so doing, praise worthy? the prophet tells us, what it is to believe, in respect of providence, Habakkuk 3:17. When there is nothing left outward and visible…

God's judgments made this impression upon David (Psalm 119:120): My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments. And see how the Prophet Habakkuk behaved himself, when God spoke with a terrible voice (Habakkuk 3:2, etc.): O Lord, I have heard your speech an…

God is a strong tower (Proverbs 18:10). It is good in times of danger to draw near to a fort or castle (Habakkuk 3:4). He had horns coming out of his hands, and there was the hiding of his power.

I should rather have been troubled that I have done no more for God, than that I have received no more from God. I have not proclaimed it to the World by my Conversation, that I have found a sufficiency in him alone, as the Saints have done, Habakkuk 3:17, 18. How have I debased…

When Job comes to a clear discovery of the greatness and excellency of God, he is filled with self-abhorrence, and is pressed to humiliation (Job 42:5-6). And in what state does the prophet Habakkuk affirm himself to be cast, upon the apprehension of the majesty of God? (Habakku…

When we have them to the full, they cannot give us any solid true peace of conscience, nor cure one sad thought. Now beg of God that he will comfort you when all things else fail, When the labour of the olive shall fail, I'll comfort myself in the Lord my God (Habakkuk 3:18). I…

(Lamentations 2:19) Lift up your hands towards him, for the life of your young children, etc. (Habakkuk 3:10) The deep uttered his voice, and lift up his hands on high. From there the Apostle (1 Timothy 2:8): I will therefore, that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, wi…

When our outward condition does vary and alter, we have the same blessed God, as a rock to stand upon, and to derive our comforts from, that we had before: he is the God of the valleys, as well as of the hills. Christ in his desertion says, My God, My God (Matthew 27:46): surely…

They look upon it with sad hearts, though it be committed by others; that the wicked go dancing to hell, and are angry with those who mourn for them, and dislike that vain course which they affect. 2. They have a due sense of the wrath of God; the prophet that threatened it, say…

When the Amalekites carried away all, yet this was his comfort — God was left still. And so Habakkuk 3:18: when the labor of the olive shall fail, etc., what then? Then I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

Though all things else fail, this should satisfy us: though we have little health, no friends, no outward supports to rejoice in, yet you have God whose favor is life, and who is the fountain of happiness, and the center of the soul's rest. The prophet when reduced not only to s…

You know not what a merciful God may do for his undeserving and ill-deserving people. And partly, when God is upon his judicial process, and calls a people to an account for their sins, he still retains his merciful nature, (Habakkuk 3:2) In the midst of wrath he remembers mercy…

Their care is, that the times may not be the worse for them, nor they the worse for the times. 3 The godly understand the mystery of living by faith, Hebrews 10:38. The just shall live by faith: they can trust God, where they cannot trace him; they can fetch comfort out of a pro…

He who prizes Christ, makes him the Head of his joy. He can delight in Christ, when other delights are gone, Habakkuk 3:17. Though the fig-tree does not flourish, yet I will rejoice in the Lord.

As in Isaiah: I will confess to you, O Lord, because you have been angry with me: your wrath is turned, and you have comforted me (Isaiah 12:1). Again, Habakkuk: You that have been angry shall remember mercy (Habakkuk 3:2). And Micah: I will bear the wrath of the Lord, because I…

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may receive comfort and mercy in time of need (Hebrews 4:16); not when I see it fit, but when God sees it fit, this is it which carries away many poor sinful hearts from resting upon the promise of God; sometimes the h…

We have found it true, That where he is once engaged, he will certainly go through unto the appointed Issue, though it stand him in the laying out of his Power and Wisdom to the uttermost. Habakkuk 3. 9. Thy Bow was made quite naked according to the Oaths of the Tribes, thy Word…

And if the beholding the image, and external representation of this spiritual majesty and glory, did so overpower human nature, is it unreasonable to suppose that a sight of the spiritual glory itself, which is the substance, of which that was but the shadow, should have as powe…

Therefore the Lord acquaints them with his power together with his promises: O my people, you shall know that I am the Lord! that is, that my ways and thoughts are infinitely above your shallow apprehensions, when I shall have brought you out of your graves (Ezekiel 37:11, 13).…