Habakkuk is a small book in the Old Testament. It has just three chapters. The last chapter of the Book of Habakkuk begins with, “A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth” (3:1). What does that small verse tell us? It tells us first that the chapter is a prayer. It tells us secondly that the prayer is written by a prophet of God… so we should listen up! It thirdly tells us that it is “on shigionoth.” What does that word mean? “Shigionoth” is a musical term that means “a wild passionate song with rapid changes of rhythm.” The end of Habakkuk 3 has the words “on my stringed instruments.” That means Habakkuk 3 is a rock n’ roll song!
Let that sink in for a moment.
Habakkuk is very poetic in chapter 3. All of the symbols and metaphors are written to indicate the power of God Almighty. He (YHWH) is the divine warrior. The entire song is a vision of the power of God. There is nothing/anything/anyone that compares to Him. Whatever Habakkuk can think of… God is all of it plus even more. Nothing is close to Him!
Habakkuk 3:4 says, “His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from His hand, where His power was hidden.” The God that Habakkuk believed in is a glorious God Whose glory fills the Universe. Habakkuk did not believe in a small God, but rather in a God whose splendor was like the sunrise and Whose power is unmatched. This same God Who has awesome limitless power also is benevolent, holy, gracious, loving, merciful, and keeps His promises. Habakkuk wholeheartedly believed in God and His power.
Habakkuk 3:13 says, “You came out to deliver Your people, to save Your anointed one.” The God that Habakkuk believed in is a God Who saves. Verse 15 shares with us after the promised deliverance of verse 13 that God has the power to back up His promises. He tramples even the sea! God is greater or better or more powerful than whatever you imagine. We must wait and trust in the salvation of God.
He is the source of life.
He is the source of everything.
He is the enabler.
He is salvation.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 says, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. 19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.” Habakkuk ends his rock prayer song with words that are of great comfort to us. Habakkuk expresses something true about God that we should believe. God is our strength. God enables us to go higher than we thought possible.
Praise God!
BMD & TMB
Dwelling In Scripture 