During my readings this week, I read through the book of Habakkuk taking note of some things that corresponded to worship.
The first point of worship reference I saw was that Habakkuk's account of his time is written in the form of a dialogue between the prophet and the Lord. Worship is dialogue. God speaks or acts and we respond. Habakkuk is questioning God's actions allowing evil ones among God's people to go unpunished. Habakkuk is stunned by the Lord's response that He is sending judgment on His people. But in the midst of that knowledge of overwhelming judgement, the prophet affirms the Lord, "I will rejoice in the Lord . . . The Sovereign LORD is my strength". (Habakkuk 3:18-19)
Habakkuk right in the middle of difficulties, went to God in prayer waiting patiently for His answer (2:1) G. Campbell Morgan said that when Habakkuk looked around at his circumstances, he was confused (1:3); however when he waited on God and listened to Him, he sang a song in the night. (3:18-19). When we prepare for worship in the midst of the confusion of our world we need also to pray and wait on the Lord. And, when we listen and hear God speak we should sing songs of worship just as the prophet did. It is believed that Habakkuk was not only a prophet but also one of the Levitical choristers in the temple and may have helped arrange the services. (3:19).
There are actually two dialogues between the prophet and the Lord in this historical record and then the book ends in a hymn and doxology stating a new confidence in God and His Sovereignty. This song was set to music and sung by the Jews at public worship accompanied by stringed instruments. After the sincere prayer of the prophet God's glory appeared. If we are to see God's glory, we also must pray, we must have confidence in God's sovereign plan and sing unto the Lord even in the midst of difficulties in the night time of life. mjm
