The Righteous Will Live by Faith
"How long, O LORD?"
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What does it say?
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The whole message, in shortThe main points of the whole message, in a few sentences.
The prophet Habakkuk cried out, "How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear?" as violence and injustice filled the land. He stood on the watchtower to wait for God's answer, and God told him to write the vision down, because it would surely come, and said, "The righteous will live by faith." Habakkuk ended singing that even if every crop failed, he would still rejoice in the God of his salvation.
Where it is in the Bible: Habakkuk 1 to 3
All the sections at a glanceA map of the message, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Message
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. How Long, O LORD? | 1:1-4 | Habakkuk cries out about violence and injustice |
| 2. On the Watchtower | 2:1 | Habakkuk waits for God's answer |
| 3. Write the Vision | 2:2-3 | God says his answer will surely come |
| 4. Live by Faith | 2:4 | The righteous will live by faith |
| 5. Though the Fig Tree Does Not Bud | 3:17-19 | Habakkuk will rejoice no matter what |
Before You Read
Who wrote it. Habakkuk was a prophet in Judah, probably around 600 BC, just before Babylon conquered Jerusalem.
What's unusual about it. Most prophets speak God's words to the people. Habakkuk speaks the people's questions to God. His book is an argument with God, and a prayer.
What this passage is. Habakkuk's complaint, God's answer, and Habakkuk's final song of trust.
Why it matters for Lutherans. Paul quoted Habakkuk 2:4, "The righteous will live by faith," in Romans 1:17. That verse changed Martin Luther's life.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 5How Long, O LORD?
"How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear" (1:2). He cries out about violence, but God doesn't seem to save.
Habakkuk sees violence and fighting everywhere.
"Why do You tolerate wrongdoing?" (1:3).
The law doesn't work anymore. Wicked people surround good people, and justice is twisted.
Section 2 of 5On the Watchtower
"I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the ramparts. I will watch to see what He will say to me" (2:1).
Ramparts are the top of a city wall, where guards watch. Habakkuk waits for God's answer like a guard waiting for a messenger.
Section 3 of 5Write the Vision
Then the LORD answered: "Write down this vision and clearly inscribe it on tablets, so that a herald may run with it" (2:2).
Write it big, so someone running past can read it.
"Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay" (2:3).
Section 4 of 5Live by Faith
God points to the proud, whose soul isn't right.
"But the righteous will live by faith" (2:4).
While waiting for God to act, his people live by trusting him.
Section 5 of 5Though the Fig Tree Does Not Bud
At the end of the book, Habakkuk sings.
"Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food" (3:17).
Even if every crop fails and every animal is gone...
"Yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!" (3:18).
"GOD the Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer; He makes me walk upon the heights!" (3:19).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "How long, O LORD" (1:2) | It's okay to bring honest complaints to God. |
| "Why do You tolerate wrongdoing?" (1:3) | Habakkuk didn't understand why God let evil go on. |
| "I will watch to see what He will say" (2:1) | Habakkuk waited for God to answer. |
| "Though it lingers, wait for it" (2:3) | God's answer will come in his time. |
| "The righteous will live by faith" (2:4) | God's people live by trusting him. |
| "Yet I will exult in the LORD" (3:18) | Joy in God doesn't depend on circumstances. |
Back Then
Babylon was rising. God told Habakkuk he would use Babylon to judge Judah. That troubled Habakkuk even more (1:6, 1:13).
Figs, grapes, olives, and flocks were the main food of the land. Losing them all meant famine.
Hebrews quotes Habakkuk 2:3-4 too, encouraging Christians to keep trusting while they wait for Christ (Hebrews 10:37-38).
Literal Reader Alert
Is it okay to argue with God? Habakkuk did, and God answered him. Honest questions are part of faith.
Does "live by faith" mean I don't have to do anything? Faith is trusting God. Faithful people still work and love. But they live by trusting God, not their own goodness.
Did God answer all of Habakkuk's questions? Not all. But God gave him a promise, and Habakkuk learned to trust.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Habakkuk | Frustrated | Violence and injustice were everywhere (1:2-4) |
| Habakkuk | Waiting | He stood at his watchpost (2:1) |
| Habakkuk | Joyful | He rejoiced in God anyway (3:18) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What would you say to God? Tap one.
How long?
You can ask God that. Habakkuk did.
I'm waiting
"Though it lingers, wait for it. It will surely come."
I trust you
"The righteous will live by faith."
Even if
Can you say "yet I will rejoice" when things go wrong?
You Might Have Heard
"Good Christians never question God."
What's true: God deserves our trust and respect.
What the passage is mainly about: Habakkuk asked hard questions: "How long?" "Why?" God answered him. And Habakkuk ended up singing. Faith can include questions.
Where Jesus is: Jesus cried out on the cross, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46). Because he was forsaken, we are made righteous and live by faith.
Good News
Habakkuk saw injustice everywhere. God answered with a promise.
"But the righteous will live by faith" (2:4).
We aren't made right with God by being good enough. We're made right by trusting him. In Jesus, God gives us his righteousness as a gift, received by faith.
Habakkuk asked God, "How long?" God answered, "The righteous will live by faith." Even when everything fails, we can rejoice in the God of our salvation.
Big Idea
Habakkuk cried, "How long, O LORD?" God answered, "The righteous will live by faith." Even if everything fails, "yet I will rejoice in the God of my salvation."
If this message brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther said that when he finally understood "The righteous will live by faith," he felt as if he had been born again and walked through open gates into paradise. He realized God's righteousness is a gift we receive by faith, not something we earn.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year C, it reads Habakkuk 1:1-4 and 2:1-4 in early October (Lectionary 27), next to Jesus saying faith as small as a mustard seed is enough.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
but the righteous will live by faith
How did that feel?
You finished The Righteous Will Live by Faith.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 27 Year CFirst reading, Habakkuk 1:1–4; 2:1–4
For a newsletter or sermon notes
The Righteous Will Live by Faith, explained in plain words. A prophet argues with God about injustice, and learns to trust. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/the-righteous-will-live-by-faith/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church