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"And I trembled in myself"

Text: Habakkuk 3:16

DEEP FEAR

The Book of Habakkuk began with a deep sense of foreboding. The prophet sought the Lord to understand the circumstances he was in. God revealed to him that the Chaldeans would come and attack Judah. God went on to encourage Habakkuk by showing him how He would defeat and destroy the Chaldeans.

Habakkuk however was not able to fully comprehend and appreciate all that he had heard from the Lord! He struggled with thoughts about the impending war that would take place. Though he knew that the Chaldeans would finally be destroyed, he knew that there would be intense suffering because of war.

“When I heard, my body trembled;
My lips quivered at the voice;
Rottenness entered my bones;
And I trembled in myself,
That I might rest in the day of trouble.
When he comes up to the people,
He will invade them with his troops.”
Habakkuk 3:16

1. Honesty expressed

a) Habakkuk was honest and candid.

b) He found himself greatly frightened.

2. Expressions of deep fear

Habakkuk candidly described how he actually felt as he dwelt on the revelation God had given to him! Four things were felt:

a) My body trembled.

b) My lips quivered.

c) Rottenness entered my bones.

d) I trembled in myself.

3. Invasion

a) Perhaps Habakkuk had hoped that God would forestall the Chaldeans and destroy them before they could commit further carnage.

b) But God’s revelation made it clear that the Chaldeans would come.

c) Though they would ultimately be dealt with, nevertheless they would invade Judah.

d) He saw what the Chaldeans would do.

i) They would come with mighty troops.

ii) They would invade Judah.

iii) It would be a “day of trouble”.

iv) He had hoped that he might somehow find rest.

v) He knew that he had to find faith to overcome his deep fear that sought to overwhelm him.