Habakkuk can trust the Lord even in his troubles because of God’s strength. God is greater than all our problems. Our strength is only in and from God. Three final lessons we can learn from Habakkuk in verses 16-19:

1. The Prophet’s Response (v. 16)
2. The Prophet’s Joy (v. 17-18)
3. The Prophet’s Confidence (v. 19)

The recitation of God’s mighty acts has filled Habakkuk’s heart with awe (v.16). After reviewing Yahweh’s majestic works of the past, the prophet realizes that even God’s judgments are merciful. So he calmly prepares himself for the coming disaster. The graphic tragedy described in v.17 is equivalent to massive and total economic ruin in Judah, the loss of all agricultural produce. But in the midst of desperate circumstances, Habakkuk finds joy and strength in God (vv.18-19). He is mature enough to allow adversity to strengthen his trust and dependence on Yahweh. Not in spite of misfortune, but because of it, should we exult in ‘the god of our salvation’. When Habakkuk’s worst fears become a reality, he himself becomes an illustration of the principle of faith mentioned in 2:4b. 

Getting Started

1. When Habakkuk’s worst fears become a reality, he himself becomes an illustration of the principle of faith mentioned in 2:4b. Who else in your life is an example of faithfulness?

• Read Habakkuk 3:16-19

2. What insight, principle, or observation from Sunday’s sermon did you find to be the most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling?

Digging Deeper

3. What attributes of God do we get to see in v.17 and 18?

4. In verses 18,19 we learn an important principle from Habakkuk about waiting on the Lord. Read Isaiah 40:31 and discuss the benefits that both Isaiah and Habakkuk talk about in these verses.

5. As Habakkuk waits, trembling and weak, destruction and total loss looming before him, it tells us in v.18 that he was exalting in the Lord. Why is Habakkuk rejoicing?

The Heart of the Matter

6. In these closing verses the distress over the coming trials has not gone away for Habakkuk, but we see a change from trembling to confidence in God, what changed in Habakkuk’s attitude? Has this ever happened to you?

7. The details of this life can cause great stress. We worry about having enough money to live on, our health and family members in bad situations. In this sin-broken world, what does 'the Lord is my strength' mean to you, and how can this help us in times of distress?

8. When the great depression began in the USA, and 14 billion dollars were lost in one day on Black Tuesday, many revealed that they were indeed trusting in their amassed fortunes for their security. When those fortunes were gone, they saw no hope in their future. Many took their lives by jumping out of the windows of tall buildings. Such a total loss is what Habakkuk sees in the future for his nation. It is through times of great loss that we see where we really put our trust. Have there been times when you trusted your job, your retirement account, or family to see you through the hard times, only to have that taken away? Share your story.