Faith in Never Failing God
E.A. Johnston teaches that unwavering faith in God's eternal strength sustains believers through times of hardship and uncertainty.
In 'Faith in Never Failing God,' E.A. Johnston explores the prophet Habakkuk's message of unwavering faith amidst destruction and despair. Johnston draws powerful parallels between ancient Judah's trials and today's global uncertainties, encouraging believers to find joy and strength in God alone. This expository sermon highlights the sovereignty of God and the hope that sustains through adversity. Listeners are invited to trust in God's eternal promises regardless of their circumstances.
Full Transcript
We live in a desperate time, where the stock market keeps falling and people's hearts are failing them over the global pandemic that has come to our very door. Uncertainty abounds and many are suddenly faced with their mortality. Things look bleak and hopeless.
There is a scripture that speaks volumes to the Christian in times like these. If you will turn in your Bibles, friends, to the book of Habakkuk, we will be in chapter 3, beginning in verse 17. The title of my message today, friends, is Faith in an Ever-Failing God.
The prophet Habakkuk wrote to Judah concerning destruction caused by the Chaldeans, whom the prophet mentions as the instruments of God's judgments. The Chaldeans took King Manasseh captive to Babylon and they ravaged the cities and brought spoil upon the people. It was a hopeless time of hardship for the people of God.
I believe there are some truths from our passage today, friends, that we can make fresh applications for our day. Here now is the Word of God and may the Spirit of the Lord attend the reading of His Holy Word. Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines, the labor of the olive shall fail, and the field shall yield no meat, the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The Lord is my strength, and He will make my feet like hind's feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine hot places. I will stop there. We have empathy for Habakkuk and the Jews in this trying time of adversity, as hopes are not realized, the fig tree has not blossomed, hardship is endured, the labor of the olive tree fails, heaviness of outward trial is encountered, as the fields have no meat, all is lost in disappointment, and heaven itself seems like a closed door.
Yet despite all this, Habakkuk has hope in the Lord. He says, Yet, despite all this, I will rejoice in the Lord when there is no other reason to rejoice, for my joy is not in outward circumstances, whether plentiful or prosperous, or rather in penury and poverty, but my joy is in the God of my salvation, because the Lord God is my strength, and hopes will be realized, hardship will end, outward circumstances will improve, prayers will be answered, for faith looks beyond the material and temporal to the things unseen, which are eternal and everlasting. In the previous chapter in verse 220, he declares, the Lord is in His holy temple.
In other words, He is a real living God who sits on a throne of sovereignty and purpose. We can look to Him, hope in Him, and lean upon Him through every circumstance in life, for faith and a never-failing God will get you through the most challenging times. The prophet Habakkuk ends his lament and discourse with faith in his God, for he states, the Lord God is my strength, and he has hopes of better things to come.
Let us apply these truths to our own lives in these days of uncertainty, and let us trust in Him. Let us pray.
Sermon Outline
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I. Context of Habakkuk's Message
- Destruction caused by the Chaldeans
- Hardship and hopelessness in Judah
- Relevance to modern times of crisis
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II. The Reality of Adversity
- Fig tree not blossoming and no fruit in vines
- Labor failing and fields yielding no meat
- Loss of flocks and herds
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III. Faith Amidst Hardship
- Rejoicing in God despite circumstances
- Joy rooted in God, not material blessings
- God as strength and source of hope
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IV. Application for Today
- Trusting God in uncertain times
- Looking beyond the temporal to the eternal
- Leaning on God's sovereignty and strength
Key Quotes
“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” — E.A. Johnston
“Faith looks beyond the material and temporal to the things unseen, which are eternal and everlasting.” — E.A. Johnston
“The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hind's feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine hot places.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Choose to rejoice in God even when circumstances are difficult or hopeless.
- Focus your faith on God's eternal nature rather than temporary material conditions.
- Lean on God's strength and sovereignty to navigate times of uncertainty and hardship.