Royalty and Ruin

Faith Will Sustain God’s People Today

The faith that strengthened Habakkuk in those days of trial was the same faith that sustains God’s people today. Under the worst circumstances, the believer may keep his trust firmly on the Source of all light and power. Through faith in God, he may renew his courage. “The just shall live by his faith.” The Lord will more than fulfill the highest expectations of those who put their trust in Him. He will give the wisdom their needs demand. RR 139.2

We must cultivate the faith that lays hold on God’s promises and waits for deliverance in His chosen time and way. The sure word of prophecy will meet its final fulfillment in the glorious advent of our Savior as King of kings and Lord of lords. The time of waiting may seem long, and many in whom we have had confidence may fall by the way. But with the prophet who tried to encourage Judah in a time of apostasy, let us declare, “The Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.” Verse 20. RR 139.3

O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years!
In the midst of the years make it known;
In wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2 RR 139.4

Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength. Habakkuk 3:17-19 RR 139.5

Habakkuk was not the only one to whom God gave a message of hope and future triumph as well as of present judgment. During the reign of Josiah the word of the Lord came to Zephaniah, telling the results of continued apostasy and calling attention to the glorious prospect beyond. His prophecies of judgment on Judah apply with equal force to the judgments that will fall on an unrepentant world at the second coming of Christ: RR 139.6

The great day of the Lord is near;
It is near and hastens quickly.
The noise of the day of the Lord is bitter;
There the mighty men shall cry out.
That day is a day of wrath,
A day of trouble and distress,
A day of devastation and desolation,
A day of darkness and gloominess,
A day of clouds and thick darkness,
A day of the trumpet and alarm
Against the fortified cities
And against the high towers. Zephaniah 1:14-16 RR 140.1

Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath. But the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy, for He will make speedy riddance of all those who dwell in the land. Verse 18. RR 140.2

Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth,
Who have upheld His justice.
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
It may be that you will be hidden
In the day of the Lord’s anger. Zephaniah 2:3 RR 140.3

In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: RR 140.4

“Do not fear;
Zion, let not your hands be weak.
The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:16, 17 RR 140.5