Habakkuk 2:2-4 (ESV)

[2] And the LORD answered me:

“Write the vision;

make it plain on tablets,

so he may run who reads it.

[3] For still the vision awaits its appointed time;

it hastens to the end—it will not lie.

If it seems slow, wait for it;

it will surely come; it will not delay.

[4] “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him,

but the righteous shall live by his faith.

As believers we give lip service to faith, but too often walk by sight. When we can’t see God’s judgment coming against evil and injustice, we begin to doubt. When we can’t see relief coming in our time frame, we wonder if God has abandoned us, forgotten us, or rejected us. Our faith is based on our sight rather than our sight being based on faith. The LORD answered Habakkuk, “The righteous shall live by his faith” (Hab 2:4).

What does it mean to live by faith? It means to trust God’s word when we don’t see how it is possible. It means to trust God’s presence when we can’t feel him there. It means to walk in God’s ways when we don’t see the benefit. For Habakkuk it meant being assured of God’s judgment coming even when he couldn’t see it and didn’t understand how God could bring it the way he indicated. Walking by faith means that I read the scriptures and listen to the Spirit. It means I see my world through the lens of the Bible and the Spirit, not the other way around.

What does your experience tell you? Does it tell you that the wicked keep getting away with their wickedness. Believe that it will not always be so. Does your experience tell you that the world is getting worse and worse, and that the Enemy is winning. Believe that it will not always be so. Does your experience tell you that there is no value in self-denial or sacrifice? Believe that the reward is coming. With Habakkuk we must learn to live by faith and not by sight. That is why it is so important to be meditating on God’s Word daily. It helps us keep a faith perspective, for the righteous live by faith.