The book of Habakkuk is unique among the prophets because it contains interactions between the prophet and God. We learned about Habakkuk’s problems in chapter one where he questions God’s inactivity. Habakkuk essentially asks God in Habakkuk 1:2–4 “How long will evil continue and when will you stop it?” God answers Habakkuk in Habakkuk 1:5–11 saying, “I’m going to stop it, I know what’s going on, and you’ll be surprised how.”
Habakkuk asks a second question in Habakkuk 1:12—2:1. He questions God’s inconsistency and basically asks, “Why use greater sinners against less sinners?” In chapter two we see Habakkuk’s patience as he accepts God’s response. God provided his second answer to Habakkuk in Habakkuk 2:2–20 in which God basically says, “I have a plan for the future, a message for the faithful, and punishment planned for the Babylonians.” Now in chapter three Habakkuk praises God.
In this process we are seeing Habakkuk go from a wonderer, to a watcher, and now to a worshipper. Habakkuk started in gloom, now he ends in glory. Habakkuk went from why to worship. Habakkuk’s faith has been tested (chapter 1), taught (chapter 2), and is triumphant (chapter 3).
While Habakkuk 3:16–17 has focused on what Habakkuk feels based on what Habakkuk knows will happen, Habakkuk 3:18–19 focuses on what Habakkuk does: praise God because God saves. “Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation” (Hab 3:18, NASB).[1]
In Habakkuk 3:18 we read the most important word of this section. There are one hundred and thirty-six words in Habakkuk 3:16–19, but the word “Yet” is most important. In spite of all the things going to happen, Habakkuk still has confidence in God.
In Habakkuk 3:18 we also read the most important response. Habakkuk has confidence in God to deliver him. This salvation is not just spiritual salvation, but also material blessings in the future too.
The word “exult” is not a word we use much. It means “to be extremely joyful: rejoice.” The word “exult” comes “from Latin saltare (‘to leap’), also the source of saltation, a word for leaping as well as dancing. Another etymological cousin of exult is sally, meaning ‘to leap out’ or ‘to set out,’ as in ‘After the storm passed, the hikers sallied forth.’”[2] Here we see Habakkuk does not just endure God’s plans, he exults God in those plans. Habakkuk does not just receive God’s plans, he rejoices God in those plans.
The lesson we learn from Habakkuk 3:18 is that we rejoice in God while he works. We rejoice in God who will rescue us even when we know things will get worse before they get better. This is contrary to how we are taught in America. For Americans we are taught inner peace only occurs when outward prosperity occurs. In other words, life is only good after you’ve graduated, get a nicer car, or experience a better vacation.
For Habakkuk inner peace did not depend on outward prosperity. For Habakkuk inner peace started with who God was and what God said would happen. Habakkuk’s feelings were not controlled by the events around him; Habakkuk’s feelings were controlled by the God above him.[3]
Pastor Mark Hitchcock teaches about this verse, “When you and I face difficult times God often doesn’t change our circumstances. Now sometimes he does. Sometimes God comes and in his grace and in his mercy he changes the circumstances. But I would say more often than not God leaves the circumstances the way they are. But what he does is he changes us to enable us to meet the circumstances.”[4]
Notice how the circumstances of Habakkuk have not changed, but God has changed Habakkuk. Let’s allow that to be true of ourselves as well so that we rejoice in God while he works.
[1] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.
[2] “Exult Definition and Meaning” Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exult Accessed May 27, 2023
[3] We might not rejoice in our circumstances, but we can rejoice in our God. One commentary puts it like this: “Far too many people keep trying to buy joy, but happiness is not found in circumstances. Joy is available to everyone, even to those stripped of every material possession, for joy is to be found in a Person. It comes through an intimate and personal relationship with the Lord, so that even those in the worst circumstances can smile.” J. Ronald Blue, “Habakkuk,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1521.
[4] Mark Hitchcock, “How Big Is Your God?” (Hab 3:1-19) Aug 28, 2016. https://faithbibleok.subspla.sh/rnz6q2q Accessed May 24, 2023