Habakkuk is one of them short books that take little time to read but the era is important to know for destruction was fixing to fall upon Judah. The Chaldeans were fixing to march through Judea not once, not twice but three times. A time of a people in power that were not godly people. People were self secure in their own eyes. Yet the prophesy is to Israel and the destruction coming.

No one wants to think of Israel being destroyed by the enemy, or conquered by people not of God but it was. Israel had turned from God long ago and those that did believe would go through the exile and the horror of destruction of their land. The destruction of God’s people is only in punishment for the wickness of evil ways of idolaters in their land. Yet God would still do a work among his people even though Chaldeans would come with a great force through the land and bring great destruction.

Habakkuk was a man that had seen the vision of God much like Jeremiah of what laid ahead for the people. His duty and instruction from God was to preach the impeding destruction. Yet no one else was going to necessarily listen, yet God’s people still listened with hope of God’s protection during troublesome times. Habakkuk seen the mountain before him and knew it would not be in his strength or power to endure but in the hope of God and God’s strength to climb the mountain in his life to come. God would give him feet to climb the hill and strength to do it.

When one thinks of relationship with God one might not think of God’s provision first in time of destruction. It might be more like a chit chat that Samuel as a boy had with God or David as a child in the field tending sheep and playing the harp and talking to God. Beautiful imagery of the simpleness of child like faith in God. Yet Samuel first prophesy was one of destruction to Eli’s family. After seeing destruction come as a small boy, one can only image the fear Samuel had of God, and would not want destruction coming to himself so he obeyed the Lord. David fighting lions and bears and knowing God provision to overcome, had no problem with his first battle against Goliath.

Though the giant was much bigger and more military prepared then little David. God speaks to Abraham about sin of Sodom and Gomorrah but never comfronted Abraham of sin. Abraham talked to God as a friend and even walked with him as he would any male friend.

God always came to warn his people what was to come, and always having those in charge prepared for what was coming. Noah being a good example of being warned and provision made for him and his family. To be on God’s side was never a bad thing. Never in all of history a bad thing even in times of destruction. Even in times of torment. With examming the history God’s people, they suffered just like evil people did. Yet the religious folks had hope to overcome.

Everyone of God’s people that seen destruction coming also experience the strength to testify of the prophesy given and the hope of being a child of God with His provision. Back up if I said God’s people suffered at the hands of the enemy why would I declare God’s provision and mercy. By the power of the Holy Spirit God’s people endure many things not thought possible. God giving people hope and visions to last for the event of destruction. Corrie Ten Boom a Christian learn to survive on the word of God in a concentration camp. Her sister face death with in the walls of the camp due to illness, but Corrie continuing on in faith tell the day of her release.

Heart and sorrow is not exempt from God’s people, but knowing God and knowing that destruction is because of evil around them, though destruction was coming by more evil, it did not mean that God’s people would not prevail. In 1945 Israel nation was restored to them. Yet the Messiah had already come. Israel will still perform their rituals by their religious law without the knowledge of their Savior already paid the price. The nation of Israel becoming purified by their laws. Not by the new and finale covenant of God through Christ Jesus.

Habakkuk own purification came through speaking the word of destruction ot the people speaking the truth of the Spirit of God despite the road ahead. Knowing that God would provide the words to speak. A relationship with God is knowing His power will be given for the task he requires of a person. Some dying in destruction and others overcoming and seeing the day of victory.

Dear Heavenly Father give us the victory knowing you give the strength in the battle. That your protection if for those that follow in obedience til their time of their death. Yet faith sees the believer to heaven gate. May our relation be I will trust in you despite what may come. In Jesus precious name, Amen.