Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-09-03
The Times-Dispatch Sunday
Sermon
THE FAITH OF HABAI<Kuls.
by i. A. Eubenle,

Ai'nouEh tho fig tree shall not blossom.
neither shall fruit DO In the vines; tho labor
of the olive shall fall, and tho fields shall
yield no meat: tho flock shall be cut Off from
the fold. and there shall he no herd I'm the
s'als. Yet Will rejoice in the Lord. will,
joy In the God of my salvation The Lord God is
my strength. and He will make NV feet like
kinds feet. and He will make me to walk
upon mine high Observation-Disclosures ILL., 1913
AS an expression of fuith In the Onni-
scieht omnipotent and Omniprescnt Creator
and Ruler OF tho Universe and tho Father of
All. characterized by tho breadth denth
and height OF It's incusiyeness OF every ole
ment OF temptation. by which human weak
ness can be assailed. We commend this tri-
umphant statement OF Habakkuk to the
thoushttul consideration of every human be-
ihs "ho' when tho gloom of Egyptian dark
ness bcsots his pathway and doubt and des-
pair weigh heavily upon his soul is inclined
10 Hraw pack from firm reliance upon the
strength and protection of tho Almighty
Father.
we are told that Habakkuk was younger
,ohtemporarF OF Jeremiah and prophcsied
IN Iudah during the first half OF tho reign
OF Jehoiakim, when the invasion OF N.hucb-
adhczzar was Imminent. He did not accom-
pany the capttves. but, like Jeremiah he la,
men'cd the ini0uities OF his country in tho
midst OF Its ruins. The prophetic office was
Inc medium through which the national rc-
ligion Of Israel called to lfc and I,
su"rded inc purity OF this religion against
popuiar corruption and prepared the way for
us development into the supreme religion OF
mankind. Judean prophecy reached It's high
est point with tho appearance of Isaiah and
Michh, but received n rich DEVELOPMENT dur
'"s '"c passing or tho empire from the AS
S!riahS to the Bahylonians in the testimony
OF Nahnin. Hephaniah and IIabakl;uk Tho
latter foretclls the destruction OF tho r.h,l
deans. portraying their prIdc and sc,rrop
hdoncc; expostulates with God for DESTROY
'"R MS own people by such wicked instru-
menus ana on {" reinsurance of the final tri-
nmph of faith lie pours forth a sublime song
or praise for the power and mercy of Je-
hovah with a prayer for the rcdcrnp,ion OF
AIS people. and confidence in His mercy
IL is from this sublime hymn Of praise
.hat we get tho testimony OF his unwavcring
ia''h IN the COD OF his salvation quoted In
inc text. Sitting in tho midst OF the ruins
OF his country. in which it's dcso,a;,on mn.
practically complete. the hand o: God draws
aside the curtain which wells tho future s,J
reveals to him all nature dcsolate hut tho
enemies OF God PROSTATE with faith sill,
eSuitant In the promise of salvation and m.
hhai triumph OF good evil
lie has had refreshing from the prcs
ehre OF the Lord and with that subIimity Of
faith which rises above human weakness he
rea'izcs In all OF Its fulncss tie force of
the great truth beautifully rYpresscd nv
ST. fan when he said: Il take pleasure in
ihhrmitics, In reproachcs, in neccssi;ies IN
prosecutions, In distresses for Christ's sake:
ior when am weak. then am strong"
lASnce' with a vision before him Of tho
earth destitute OF everything needed To gus
tain animal life. he Is enabled to exclain,.
Yet VIII 1 rejoice in tho Lord 7 will tov
In the God OF my salvation. The Lord Cod
~ my strength. and He will make INV feet
ike kinds feet, and lie will make IN. 10
walk upon mine high places"
An. here is the faith ,hat conouers. for
It's triumph Is backed up by the sworn promise
OF the Everlasting God!
If the faith OF all humanity were subjected
To the severe test here depicted by iabsk-
kuk. how large portion think YOU would
join him In this sublime expression OF con-
hdence In the strength and Willingness Of the
Almighty One to lift them above such desc
iatlon and with the hrmness of kinds feet
make them 20 walk upon the high places
which they hone to reach?
And yet this Is tine quality and measure
or faith which the Lord expects of the chill
dren or His creation and is moving all heaven
ana earth to inspire in them.
Alas! how hesita,Ing is humanity's slow
march toward the sublime heights whence
tho fuliness OF HIS love may be drunk in by
the soul!
1t is the precious privilege of each OF us
individually to help inspire this faith both
in ourselves and In our fellows-what are we
doing with this great trust7