This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. Habakkuk 2:3 (NLT)

I do not like to be late for anything. Additionally, it aggravates me when other people are not on time. So it is somewhat ironic that I am scrambling to write this article before a self-imposed deadline.

As a young man, I learned about “Lombardi time.” The legendary football coach Vince Lombardi used to tell his players to show up for practice at least fifteen minutes early. Any later than that, and they would be considered late. We want God to adhere to “Lombardi time” because it would be easier and less stressful. We want this because we prefer comfort and convenience to living by faith. When God does arrive at the point of our need, He is “always on time,” but it is according to his timetable, not ours.

Habakkuk was ready to hear from God. I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the Lord says and how he will answer my complaint. Habakkuk 2:1 (NLT). Habakkuk was watchful, and perhaps a little impatient. The prophet had no problem expecting to receive an answer from God to his question and complaint.

God urged Habakkuk to be patient. Patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit. It is counterproductive for us to say to God, “I want patience, and I want it now!” We need to throw away our timetables, and rest assured that God will always be on time!

The Value of Hope

Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love—but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 (CSB)

Hope is one of the “big three,” but it receives far less attention than love and faith. Love may be the greatest, but hope is certainly indispensable. Hope delayed makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12 (CSB)

We can make the case that life without hope is meaningless. Paul reminds us: In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. Ephesians 2:12 (NLT)

Without the hope that we find in Christ, mankind resorts to destructive substitutes. When people have no hope beyond this life, they can desperately pursue success, career, material prosperity, or entertainment as their only sources of satisfaction and fulfillment. They will resort to immediate gratification in an effort to find some meaning to their life.

People who try to live life without God and without hope will find nothing worth pursuing that will bring satisfaction and peace into their lives. God has created us to be creatures of hope. It is impossible to thrive without hope.

In the pursuit of meaningful lives, people put their hope in many things other than God, only to be disappointed repeatedly. The title of a favorite song captures the dilemma: “Only Jesus Can Satisfy Your Soul.” Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5 (CSB)

Be Patient

That’s not all. We also celebrate in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces patience, patience produces a wellformed character, and a character like that produces hope. Romans 5:3–4 (BFE)

We have probably been warned never to pray for or ask God for patience. Trials and suffering are the training ground for patience and hope. Habakkuk had legitimate concerns about why God permitted violence and injustice to exist without a response.

We may look at our world today and wonder why things are out of control. We may go to God with the same questions raised by Habakkuk. Why, God? God gives Habakkuk a hint of what lies ahead: “Look at the nations and pay attention! You will be shocked and amazed! For I will do something in your lifetime that you will not believe even though you are forewarned. Habakkuk 1:5 (NET)

Habakkuk continues to raise concerns about the situation. But you are pure and cannot stand the sight of evil. Will you wink at their treachery? Should you be silent while the wicked swallow up people more righteous than they? Habakkuk 1:13 (NLT)

The prophet raised one more concern: Will you let them get away with this forever? Will they succeed forever in their heartless conquests? Habakkuk 1:17 (NLT). At this point, Habakkuk decided not to push the point any further. He goes up to his watchtower to stand guard and decides that it is best to wait patiently to see what God is going to say about his complaint. We can come boldly before God to bring our concerns, but we must learn how to be still and patient and await his reply.

Living by Faith

For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised. For yet in a very little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith; and if he draws back, I have no pleasure in him. Hebrews 10:36–38 (CSB)

We do not know the day or the hour of the fulfillment of all things, but God is faithful. Endurance encompasses the capacity to remain strong under pressure and adversity. Habakkuk faced a world in rebellion against God that sounds familiar to us today. God told Habakkuk to pay attention and watch the nations because he would do something astounding.

What seems like a delay to us is not really a delay but God preparing to bring about something amazing, even shocking to us. We may not like waiting for the appearance of delay, but God is never late. We must put our faith and trust and hope in him. He is always on time!

Steve Ekeroth