The just shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4)

God told Habakkuk the just shall live by faith, which answered a lament to God about evil and injustice in the land. It seems the whole world is going through the same kind of lament today. It seems like there are more wars, genocides, persecutions, murders, robberies, hacking, and crime every day. Where is God? The answer today is the same as it was in Habakkuk’s time.

In his complaint Habakkuk wrestles with what he knows to be true about God’s character alongside God’s apparent tolerance of the violence and injustice that abound in Judah (1:2-4). God’s response—that he is raising up the Babylonians to handle this matter (1:5-11)—is small comfort to the prophet (1:12-17), since the Babylonians are more violent yet! So he takes his stand like the watchman of the night to see what answer will come in the morning (2:1). God’s second response is twofold: (1) The prophet must wait and continue to trust in God (2:2-4), and (2) the arrogant will surely meet their doom in kind (plunder for plunder, 2:4-20). Habakkuk’s prayer is a dramatic metaphorical remembrance of the exodus from Egypt, which inspires hope, trust, and rejoicing in God in the face of all difficulties. –pg. 244, How to Read the Bible Book by Book

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4)

This was still true in the early church, when Paul reminded them, the just shall live by faith, to sustain those Christians.

For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek. For in it is revealed God’s righteousness from faith to faith.  As it is written, “But the righteous shall live by faith.”  (Romans 1:16-17 WEB)

For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.” Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for,  “The righteous will live by faith.”  The law is not of faith, but, “The man who does them will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,” that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:10-14 WEB)

But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings; partly, being exposed to both reproaches and oppressions; and partly, becoming partakers with those who were treated so. For you both had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an enduring one in the heavens. Therefore don’t throw away your boldness, which has a great reward. For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise.
“In a very little while, he who comes will come, and will not wait.
But  the righteous will live by faith.  If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:32-39 WEB)

It is still true today. So we need to be reminded, the just shall live by faith, until the Lord calls us home.

Never forget to continue living in God with the same love, trust, and awe that you first had on the day of your salvation. If you have lost that, read 7 ways to restore the joy of your salvation.

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6-7)

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