The story of Habbakuk is not as well known as the other characters of the bible, still, there are lessons we can learn from his book. He was a prophet in Judah who prophesed during the reign of King Jehoiakim's reign between 609-598 BC about God's destruction that was going to come upon Judsah due to their rebellious living and rejection of the Lord God of Israel. Habbakuk was living in a society that was so far from God that it caused Habbakuk to lose his faith and feel disheartened and frustrated that God didn't seem to be changing things for the better. He was waiting to see the miracles, signs and wonders of the God Almighty he grew up hearing about happening around him; in his waiting, Habbakuk grew frustrated with God's timing.
We all have moments in our lives when we lose our faith. It is in moments of frustration, coupled with waiting on the promises of God that often lead us to lose faith in God and His promises. it is especially frustrating when God has given you a life-changing word and your environment looks the exact opposite of the Word God gave you. Habakkuk 1:2-4 shows us in scripture when Habakkuk had a moment when he lost his faith due to his environment not matching the standards God had called His people to portray. Habakkuk was fed up with how slow God seemed to be working. In the book of Isaiah God explains to His people how God views situations from His perspective;
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT) For my thoughts are not your thought, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
In 2 Peter God, through scripture, explains how God views time as He doesn't live in time but outside of it. Time was made for us his creation;
2 Peter 3:8 (MSG) Don't overlook the obvious here, friends.With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isnt late with His promises as some measure lateness. He is restraining Himself on account of you, holding back the End bevcause he doesnt want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change.
With these reminders in the scriptures, it is important to remind ourselves of God's answer for restoring our faith after losing it in moments of frustration. there are many ways to lift our frustration waiting on the timing of God to manifest in our lives. there are 2 ways I've found help me through moments of frustration God has shown me in scripture;
1.Stay in position
"I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guard post. There I will wait to see what the Lord says and how He will answer my complaint. Habbakkuk 2:1 (NLT)
2.Praise lifts all fustration
"to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified." Isaiah 61:3
we see in both steps how God is the key to restoring our faith when we've lost it to frustrations like Habbaukk did. we need to stay in the position where God has placed us and not move to the left or right. We must wait during and after moments of prayer and meditating on His word to hear what God is saying to us. this means we must be alert on purpose like Habakkuk as he waited to hear God's response. we have to give our frustrations to God and in exchange he will give us the garment of praise. we must use and wear 'praise' as a coat. in practical terms, we must worship and praise God even when we don't feel like it or assume it won't make a difference. praise turns our attention from the frustration back to God. Like in Psalms 34:1, I will always bless the Lord at all times, and His praise shall be always in my mouth.
in light of these biblical reminders and blueprint to regain your faith in God and banish frustration from your hearts; my question to you is;
What's stopping you from regaining your faith today?
Let us pray:
Jesus, I come before you as your child low on faith and drowning in frustration. I choose to wait where you have placed me as you send your answer. Today I exchange frustration and heaviness for a song of joy in my heart. give me a song from you that will restore my faith in you and the plans you have for me. In Jesus's name, I pray.
Amen.