I plan more than one day discussing the Prophet Habakkuk, as a man of prayer.

First of all, look with me at the opening of his little three-chapter Prophecy. “The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!” Habakkuk 1:1-2

See those words?

In spite of Habakkuk’s “crying” (praying) …

God, “THOU WILT NOT HEAR!”

Then, even more dramatically, “THOU WILT NOT SAVE!”

Wow!

And it’s true.

Habakkuk did not receive what might be called “traditional” answers to his prayers.

No extra years of life!

No deliverance from an enemy army! (In fact, one is one the way, the wicked Babylonians!)

Habakkuk, more than most characters of Scripture, had to learn to WAIT on God.

And even when the answer (sort of) to his prayers did come, they further frustrated him!

YET, AND THIS IS THE “POINT” OF TODAY’S LESSON … HABAKKUK STILL CONTINUED TO PRAY. TO PURSUE A DEEPENING RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD!

One writer whom I read (yesterday) concerning Habakkuk said this Prophet was a man of “mature prayer.”

Prayer that could wait!

Prayer that, if not answered, could still build faith!

Prayer that implants joy, because it brings you closer to God … yet not necessarily to the relief of your distresses. Still hurting or still perplexed … but KNOWING GOD more intimately!

Wow!

Someone studying here with us today, perhaps, is in this condition.

Your prayers have NOT been answered.

Your frustrations remain!

God has not, regarding your precise issue, saved!

I would encourage you do respond as did Habakkuk!

Keep trusting God.

Treasure prayer not just a “receiving” from the Almighty … but as a “knowing” the Almighty, in a much deeper and fuller way.

Patient prayer!

God-centered prayer!

Prayer as Fellowship with the One Who died to save our souls!

Prayer as (of all things) a faith builder!

Does this even make “sense?”

Yet it is the story of how Habakkuk’s prayer life began to develop.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell