Salvation Completely Habakkuk 3:13 - Equipped for Battle

Salvation is part of God's agenda. The very idea of salvation infers that someone or something needs saving, and that someone in this case is God's people. When Habakkuk first began to write, he wondered about the interest of God about all the wicked that was before his eyes. Habakkuk reasoned questionably about God's choice for judgment when God mentioned the Chaldeans as His instruments. In these last few verses we have notice Habakkuk recounting God's previous “savings” as an illustration for believing He would save now. Habakkuk continues this thought in chapter three and verse thirteen. He wrote:

You went forth for the salvation of your people, [even] for salvation with your anointed; you wounded the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.

Israel had been in trouble before, and God was their savior within it. Time after time God would use judges, prophets, and kings as His instrument of deliverance. Habakkuk says, “You went for for the salvation of your people,” which we see examples of all through the Old Testament. God would choose men and sometimes women to rescue His chosen people and bring them back into a relationship with Him. God would use these people, “even for salvation with your anointed;” and these men and women were the “called out” and “separated” ones for each time salvation was needed. God anointed them, gave them the power, and placed them in positions that would allow them to lead the children of Israel to safety.

Habakkuk states, “you wounded the head out of the house of the wicked”, and in other words, God took out the main person who lead the revolt against Israel. Sometimes those rebellious foes would be kings, but they were no match for God. Sometimes these enemy leaders would be soldiers, townsmen, infantry or civilians, but none were a match for God. No matter how strong the opposing people thought they were, the power of God prevailed.

Finally Habakkuk writes, “by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.” In other words the conquering of the enemies was defeated from head to toe. There was no one who could march against God and His people and ultimately prevail. The salvation God provided was complete, thorough, and not one person escaped that God did not allow. With God there is no hiding, no power, and no protection that will be successful once He begins to move, and with the word “Selah” which means “pause and think about this” attached, we should faithfully think on these things.

So how do we relate to this verse? Do we have enemies currently to which we have no idea how to handle? Are there difficult circumstances where we find ourselves in a quandary as to what to do? Do we wonder if God can or will help us in our time of need? If so, reflection upon how God rescued Israel over and over again may help us know that He will be here for us as well. He is a great God, and when He comes to save in our situations, not one stone will be covered that He will not overturn.

Next time we will continue to look into God's work against Israel's enemies, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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