Sermon: At the Appointed Time

19th Sunday after Pentecost, 2010

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Yesterday, I was standing in line at a fast food restaurant waiting for my order. I waited and waited and waited. It didn’t seem very fast. Of course, I happened to be there at the wrong time, that is, at the same time all those other people were standing in line and all those cars were outside at the drive through. A few weeks ago, I was driving down to White Rock on the truck route and the traffic was stopped so that they could repave the road. I was sitting there watching cars in front of me getting out of line and turning around in order to head back to Los Alamos instead of waiting. Then of course there is our building project. We are still waiting for a permit in order to pour the concrete. In all these situations, we wonder how long is this going to take. Time matters when you have something better to do. Situations like these reveal the reality that we are not in control. We want things done our way. Likewise, we see how impatient we are by nature. We want things done in our own timing. 

In today’s Old Testament text, the prophet Habakkuk wants to know how long things will take. The prophet asks, "O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?" (Habakkuk 1:2, ESV) He was preaching the message of repentance to the people of the southern kingdom and was seeing no results. The people of God would not listen to the prophet of God. How long shall he continue? Then Habakkuk continues to question God asking, "Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise." (Habakkuk 1:3, ESV) The prophet complains at the way that God has chosen to do things. 

It is natural to question God. Now when I say natural, I don’t mean that it is good or right. No. It is natural because we are sinners by nature. The human heart wants to be in control as if it is the center of the universe. When times are tough and stress is building, sin is displayed in impatience, irritability, and grumpiness. When life does not go our way, sin is shown forth in arrogance, pride, and stubbornness. Not only are we unable to control the circumstance around us, we are not able to control our own sinful heart. For this reason, the word of God exposes such sin as part of the fallen creation. It calls us to recognize sin as sin. 

Then the word of God reveals to us that God in control. He is God and we are not. The promise is given to us “that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, ESV) Rather than question God, as His people we are to trust that God is God. We are working with His time clock and His wisdom. We are called to faith in the promises that He gives to us as His people. We are learning to be patient 

The role of the prophet is to teach God’s people such truths. Using the word of God, he comes to shatter all forms of false security. In the days of Habakkuk, the people of God were secure in themselves. The northern kingdom fell to the Assyrians, but the southern kingdom had the city of Jerusalem, the temple of God, and the house of David. In fact, they even saw the feeble efforts of the Assyrians who tried to take the city. In one night, the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 of their soldiers. Thus the people of God wrongly interpreted the misfortunes of the north and their fortunes in the south as God’s favor upon them no matter what they did. They believed in “once delivered always delivered.” God had saved them from the Assyrians, thus they had nothing to fear or so they thought.

Yet, the society located around Jerusalem became centered on sin. Habakkuk saw violence and injustice running rampant among the people of God. Fellow Jews were hurting and harming one another. This did not look like the covenant people of God. Thus, Habakkuk says, "So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted." (Habakkuk 1:4, ESV) The prophet ponders where God was in the midst of all of this chaos? To Habakkuk, it seemed like the Law of Moses was paralyzed. The people were not listening to the voice of God and they were not heeding the warning of the covenant curses.

So as a prophet, Habakkuk both speaks God’s word to the people and likewise speaks to God in behalf of the people. How long will it take for God to bring justice for the oppressed? As chapter one continues beyond our assigned reading, the LORD answers in saying, "Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told." (Habakkuk 1:5, ESV)   The Lord will raise up the Chaldeans, also known as the Babylonians, who will overtake the Assyrians. The LORD describes them to Habakkuk. They are a fierce army. They are like hungry evening wolves ready to devour. They are swift like eagles. They will catch their enemies as readily as a fisherman catches fish. They laugh at every fortress. The city of Jerusalem will be no match. They will bring violence upon the people of God along with their own style of justice. These unrepentant people will punish the unrepentance of the people of God. The LORD reveals these events to Habakkuk before they take place, so that when they do we can be confident that God is in control.

God is doing a strange work. The violence in Judah will be answered with violence from Babylon. The injustice of God’s people will be replaced with pagan justice. In order to build the kingdom of God, the kingdom of Judah must be destroyed. The current son of David must be dethroned in order for the True Son of David to sit on the throne. In the book of Acts, St. Paul quotes these words of Habakkuk in reference to the resurrection of Jesus. This too was a strange work. The Messiah was forsaken by God in order to bring God’s favor upon all the nations. The Davidic King wore a thorn crown. Violence and injustice were given to Him so that mercy and goodness would be given to us. The temple of His body was destroyed, but on the third day it was raised again to be the permanent dwelling place of God’s glory in the midst of His people. This is a strange work and only by the gift of the Holy Spirit can one believe. Through the work of the Holy Spirit we are being renewed. He gives the gift of patience and self-control. Thus, we are called to listen to the prophets and the apostles who reveal to us this strange work of God. 

In those days, the people of God wanted to know how long it would be until the Messiah would come and establish His eternal kingdom. How long should they wait? In our day, we wonder, how long it will be until the coming kingdom is fully made manifest. In chapter two of today’s reading, the LORD told Habakkuk, “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:2-3, ESV) The role of the prophet and the apostles is to continue to teach repentance and faith in the name of the Messiah. Habakkuk was commissioned to put the vision of the coming Messiah before the people’s eyes. My role as your pastor is to teach you to take your eyes off of yourselves and to set them on Jesus. Do not concern yourselves with getting your way; rather, concern yourselves with believing that Jesus is the way.

Then the LORD goes on to make a contrast between the foolish one who trusts in himself and his own accomplishments and the righteous one who trusts in God. The coming Babylonians will trust in their own strength assuming that they have received their victories and kingdoms from their own abilities. In this way, they will make their strength their god in whom they rejoice. They will view their kingdom as the work of their own hands.

Yet, all rampant sin will come to an end. It will cease and be punished. The Babylonians lived by the sword and they died by the sword. But, the people of God, then and now, are called to life by faith trusting in the promises of God. The “righteous shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4, ESV) We look around and we see destruction and death, yet we wait for the appointed time when death itself will come to an end.

The other day I was at the airport with Pastor Coleman. We were waiting at the security gate. We choose separate lines. I took the short one. However, the gentleman in front of me had some strange item in his bag that was spotted by the x-ray machine. All of a sudden, the new employees were all gathered over to see the object. My shorter line became the longer line. There was nothing I could do to control the circumstances. Thus, I boarded the plane at the same time as Pastor Coleman. Once we were up in the air, there was nothing I could do to change the rate at which we arrived in Albuquerque. Once again, Pastor Coleman and I both arrived in Albuquerque at the same time. It was the appointed time of arrival. We arrived when we were supposed to arrive.

As we cry out with Habakkuk saying, “How long will the LORD take to act?” The LORD answers, “At the appointed time.” If it seems like the LORD is taking His time, wait on the LORD. He is taking His time. It is all in God’s timing and not ours. In the mean time, we live by faith and cling to His word of promise. The “righteous shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4, ESV) Keep the faith.

This passage from Habakkuk is quoted in Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews. We are declared righteous by God. We have the promise of His favor for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior. It may not feel like we are holy, but He promises that His holiness is ours. It may not appear like we have the kingdom, but He promises that the kingdom is ours. It may not seem like death has been defeated, but He promises that we have life. Even though we die, we shall live. He is the Life. The righteous shall live by faith. Amen.