come out TRIUMPHANT!
by Dr. Clara Malvin June 16, 2026
“Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” – Habakkuk 2:4 KJV
STAND on your watch!
OVERVIEW
Our recent study of the Prophet Habakkuk has left us awed as his experience and dialogue with God is similar to our contemporary world and hope for a better future. Besides God allowing Habakkuk to see division, injustice, oppression, idolatry and all the vices of a rebellious and sinful nation…he is heavily burdened. The weight of what he sees, the weight of God’s Word and anticipating JUDGMENT is heavy in the prophet’s spirit and heart as it is on God’s heart! Habakkuk is not a speaking prophet, but a writing prophet. He is guided by what he hears as he STANDS upon his watch!
In the end, this minor prophet’s writing gives us confident joy that the righteous living and walking by FAITH will triumph! (3:17-19). …when the wicked run rampant…”the just (righteous) shall live by his FAITH!... Come out with Triumphant faith!
A Basic Outline:
Chapter 1
I. The prophet Communicates with God. (v 1-4) He casts his burden upward to the Creator, the One who is Sovereign and has the answers to questions in a dark time. He does not approach answers from other men or prophets. The prophet, chosen by God MUST get the WORD from the Lord!
A. The prophet burdened. How long shall I “cry out”…? The approach of an intercessor; one standing in the gap!
- Burdened
- Crying
- Interceding…God does not seem to hear…
B. The prophet did see. Not just observed, but had knowledge and understanding of what was going on in Judah among God’s people. The things which the righteous should not have been doing! Iniquity, violence, injustice, oppression, idolatry, hypocrisy, strife, contention… You know the list, because it hasn’t changed, today!
C. Challenging questions (v 2-4)
- How long?
- Why?
- When?
D. Confusing answers (v 5-6)
- God has a divine plan…work a work you won’t believe
- God knows how to get your attention
- God uses the enemy for correction and judgment
- Raising up the Chaldeans (v 12-17)
- Raising MORE questions
- Raising the Unrighteous to a Righteous God…
E. Complexing (v7-11)with God’s unfathomable ways (trusting in the time of perplexity…it doesn’t make sense! )
Chapter 2
- Message in a vision…warn and comfort
- Message in writing…make it plain
- Message running …with 5 WOES warning the proud, the greedy, the violent, the drunk and the idolater! (2:4-20)
Chapter 3
- A psalm raises reflections and praise
- A prayer of intercession raises reflections and hope
- A psalm and a prayer brings elevation of faith and a YET PRAISE!
We are called to live by faith, and nothing else.
- Some Christians live by traditions.
- Some Christians live by works.
- Some Christians live by feelings.
- Some Christians live by circumstances.
SUMMARY of the justified faith...
- Romans 1:17 is the commentary on the justified man — “The just shall live by faith.”
- Hebrews 10:38 is the commentary on faith — “The just shall live by faith.”
- Galatians 3:11 is the commentary on the Christian life — “The just shall live by faith.”