The Just Shall Live by Faith

O Lord, how long shall I cry,

And You will not hear?

Even cry out to You, “Violence!”

And You will not save.

Why do You show me iniquity,

And cause me to see trouble?

For plundering and violence are before me;

There is strife, and contention arises.

Therefore the law is powerless,

And justice never goes forth.

For the wicked surround the righteous;

Therefore perverse judgment proceeds. (Habakkuk 1:2-4 NKJV)

Why do inequity and violence seemingly predominant over justice in the world? Why are the wicked apparently prosperous and powerful whereas the righteous are powerless and reduced? That is the question many a people are puzzled, even Prophet Habakkuk.

The Book of Habakkuk is marvelously helpful to understand what the world is going on really. This is the picture of the real world. It is exactly the same as what our Lord Jesus says, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16 NKJV) The righteous are surrounded by the wicked, says Jesus. The nation Israel was surrounded by the belligerent and aggressive pagan nations. The invasion of Babylonians was imminent when Prophet Habakkuk was in the ministry. Less a century ago, the northern tribes of Israel had been already trampled down by the Assyrians. And the invasion of the Babylonians was looming at any moment in his ministry.

God answers to the prophet that in the definite tone of voice the righteous shall live by faith, not by sight. “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4 NKJV) Those who abuse the power and might upon the poor and powerless beyond the edge set by God shall be accountable before the righteous Judge of all. The proud shall be unendingly humiliated and shamed in due time. The destiny of the lawless has been set for the eternal destruction and separation from the grace of the Holy One.

There is no need at all to envy those who are ostensibly haughty and prosperous because the end comes unexpectedly and without warning. We see Christ who is sitting at the right hand of God until He put all things in subjection under His feet (Hebrews 2:8-9). Although we are living in the hostile world, there is nothing to worry or be fearful because Christ is the Lord of all. Living by faith is the most powerful means to demonstrate eternal life in our midst.

What or who can be against us if God is for us? “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” (Romans 8:31-34 NKJV) With such a confidence and assurance in Christ, we shall live by faith.