The Righteous Will Live by His Faith

Military conflict breaks out. A tsunami hits. Justice is not accomplished.

Christians are martyred. Violence escalates. At times, it seems there are

unanswered ills that God is (at best) ignoring or (at worst) endorsing.

This conundrum of God’s righteousness in the face of evil circumstances is

not new.

The prophet Habakkuk wondered how God could allow wickedness among His

people. God’s reply was inconceivable: He said the Babylonian empire would

be an instrument of judgment upon them. But how could a holy and righteous

God allow His chosen peoplerebellious as they wereto be consumed by a

people even more wicked (Habakkuk 1:12-13)?

Instead of answering Habakkuk’s questions, God revealed that there would be

judgment against Babylon too. But, in the midst of all the brokenness and

injustice, God made an important promise: The righteous one will live by

his faith (2:4).

This statement is quoted three times in the New Testament (Romans 1:16-17;

Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38), and it declares the gospelthe good news

that Jesus Christ died for sinners, rose again, and offers new life and

righteousness in Him to those who believe. This means that right standing

with God (righteousness) is offered to everyone on the basis of faith. And

persevering in the faith that God has given leads us to our eternal and

lasting inheritance of life with Him: God’s people will dwell with Him

forever, and all things will be made new, free from sin and death

(Revelation 21:1-5). For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of

the Lord’s glory, as the water covers the sea (Habakkuk 2:14).

So even when it seems like everything is lost, we can still rejoice in the

God of our eternal salvation (Habakkuk 3:17-19). We can also pray for those

who perpetuate injustice, knowing that even they can experience the gift of

salvation, by God’s grace through faith (Romans 3:21-26). Cameron DeCou

Have you ever asked God why He would allow something bad to happen?

When you are hurt or treated unjustly, who are trusted people in your

life you can talk with about what you’re experiencingsuch as counselors,

parents, teachers, youth leaders, pastors, etc.?

For in it [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to

faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith. Romans 1:17

(CSB)

Read Verses:

Habakkuk 2:4; Habakkuk 3:17-Habakkuk 3:19; Romans 1:17; Habakkuk 1:2-Habakkuk 1:4; Habakkuk 1:12-Habakkuk 1:13