Trembling, Quivering and Rottenness Habakkuk 3:16 - Equipped for Battle

What would we be like if we were to hear audibly the voice of God? Only a few people in the Bible have every heard the voice of God until the time of the end, but what if God were to reveal His plan to us as He has Habakkuk? Let it suffice to say that it would be awing, and more than likely we would all be extremely frightened. Habakkuk gives us a little insight to his reaction to God's voice in chapter three and verse sixteen where he wrote:

When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he comes up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.

Habakkuk wrote, “When I heard, my belly trembled;” Have we ever had something frighten us so greatly that our stomach hurt because of it? In other words the core of Habakkuk's insides were shaking. He adds, “my lips quivered at the voice.” Poor ole Habakkuk, he probably looked like a small child whose lips quiver in the cold weather. His stomach is trembling. His lips are quivering, and he more than likely begins to realize how foolish he was when he actually thought he could instruct God.

Habakkuk adds, “rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself.” All the substantial part of Habakkuk's structure felt as if it was decaying away. The strength of his frame was nil, and though Habakkuk thought himself to be something, he was nothing when he considered the Almighty God's words.

Let's notice too the benefit of this trembling, quivering and rottenness, “that I might rest in the day of trouble.” When all things are considered, it is to Habakkuk's benefit that God has such a powerful voice. If our Heavenly Father's voice was less impacting, less powerful, and without strength, none of us would be humbled before Him. The very idea that His voice is intimidating infers that God is in control and powerful, and nothing can rise up against Him.

Habakkuk concludes this verse by writing, “when he comes up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.” God's army is stronger than any foe that comes against Him. Should He choose to invoke His power upon any people, He will invade them without any resistance at all. When Habakkuk considers this, He learns more about the God He serves, and when Habakkuk conceded to God's Almighty power, he put himself in the best place he could be.

Do we tremble at the word of God? Have we ever had such an encounter with God that our lips have quivered because of it? Have we felt as though our bones had no strength, and they were like rottenness and decay within us? Have we come to know God in such a way that we have assurance that we can rest in the day of trouble because of it? Perhaps the reminder from Habakkuk today will convince us once again that God is in control of our situations, and when He begins to move, no people or situation will pose any threat or resistance against Him.

Next time we will read about fig trees, fruit trees, olive trees and fields, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore