Rest in the Day of Trouble

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Habakkuk 3:16-19

Scripture Reference

Habakkuk 3:16-19

“When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops. Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields 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 God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.”

Introduction

The title of tonight’s message is “Rest in the Day of Trouble.” Our world is in turmoil—families frayed, morals declining, uncertainty in public life, and even faithful Christians feel the strain of long service and uncompromising truth. Habakkuk models for us the honest conversation a weary servant might have with God: complaint, petition, and finally, a settled trust that rests even when circumstances worsen. This sermon is not a sentimental escape from reality. It is a call to discover how to find spiritual rest amid judgment, trial, and weariness—rest that comes from God, anchored in His word, His promises, and the Person of Christ.

Last night. Oh, yeah. Exactly what we needed. And I know God’s given him a message for the hour already. And again, there’s. There’s no concern about whether or not he’s going to be compromising. We know what side he’s on. Amen. Amen. He’s been faithful through the fight. He’s going to be faithful until the end. You’ll make your way up here. Y’ all stand. Let’s give him a good run.

Quote from Preacher

This is an introductory quote from Dr. Tony Hutson’s transcript that sets the tone: the welcome, the confidence in faithfulness, and the expectation of a message for the hour.

Outline

Divine Burden: Be Concerned for God’s Ways
1. Habakkuk’s burden was holy annoyance—he was grieved at iniquity and slack judgment (Habakkuk 1:2-4).
2. Distinguish between worldly apathy and godly burden: the Christian should be bothered by sin in society because God is holy and will judge (Numbers of Scripture cited throughout the sermon point toward God’s justice).
3. Explanation: Being burdened in the God-appointed way means you carry concern about God’s glory, the souls in your community, and the righteousness of God rather than anger, bitterness, or self-righteous indignation. It is the first step toward rest because you are aligned with God’s heart.
Dictated Book: Get Into the Word of God
1. God told Habakkuk to “write the vision” (Habakkuk 2:2); the Bible is the authoritative, dictated Book that directs our steps.
2. The sermon emphasizes the need for the unadulterated Word—the “real thing”—not watered-down versions. The Word is meat for mature Christians and milk for new babes (1 Peter 2:2; Hebrews 5:12-14).
3. Explanation: Rest is found when the believer’s life is saturated with Scripture. The Word provides perspective, correction, truth, and the sword of the Spirit to defend and advance the gospel (Ephesians 6:17).
Deliberate Beckoning: Pray Specifically and Persistently
1. Habakkuk’s third chapter begins with a prayer: “O Lord, revive thy work” (Habakkuk 3:2). Revival is sought, not assumed.
2. Persistent prayer is biblical—Jesus commended importunity in the parable of the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8). Jeremiah 33:3 and Matthew 18:19 encourage believers to call on God.
3. Explanation: Christians must pray with diligence and specificity—pray for souls, for revival, for the church’s labor. Persistent prayer trusts God’s timing though it does not manipulate God’s character. This prayer is part of how we find rest; it moves burdens into God’s hands.
Delight in Blessings: Rejoice Despite Circumstances
1. Habakkuk’s faith culminates in praise: “Although the fig tree shall not blossom … yet I will rejoice in the Lord” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).
2. Delighting in God’s blessings is a conscious act of worship and will. Praise is not only feeling; it is choosing to magnify God when the outward picture is bleak (Philippians 4:4-7).
3. Explanation: Real rest occurs when we treasure Christ above earthly comforts. Rejoicing in the God of our salvation anchors our soul and gives strength to keep walking in faith.
Dependence on Divine Strength: God Makes Your Feet Like Hinds’ Feet
1. Habakkuk closes with trust in God’s enabling power: “The Lord God is my strength … he will make my feet like hinds’ feet” (Habakkuk 3:19).
2. God’s strength sustains the faithful—when human resources fail, divine enabling does not. This is not passive resignation; it is active trust that results in renewed power to run and not be weary (Isaiah 40:31).
3. Explanation: Rest here is the fruit of reliance on God’s power. Your service continues, not from self-sufficiency but from renewed strength that lifts weary feet and enables higher ground ministry.
Practical Persistence: Keep Doing the Work God Has Given
1. “Wherefore we labour … that we may be accepted of him” (paraphrase of the sermon’s Galatians allusion to laboring in service, Galatians 6:9).
2. Exhortation to continue preaching, teaching, soulwinning, and example-setting even when it costs relationships, popularity, or comfort (2 Timothy 4:2).
3. Explanation: Rest is not quitting. It is a steadfast commitment to God’s calling amid trials, trusting God for results in His time and glory in His way.

Summary

To rest in the day of trouble is not to avoid trouble; it is to stand rightly under God’s sovereign purpose. Habakkuk models three primary spiritual practices that lead to this rest: carry the divine burden (be rightly concerned for God’s glory and justice), immerse yourself in the dictated Book (God’s Word), and pray with deliberate persistence (ask God to revive His work). Then, choose to delight in God’s blessings and depend on the Lord’s strength to carry you forward. True rest comes when God’s purposes and your heart are aligned—even when circumstances fail, we can rejoice in the Lord and walk in renewed strength.

When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble.

Quote to Ponder

This closing quote from the transcript captures Habakkuk’s honest fear and the prophet’s prayerful aim: to find rest in the day of trouble. Let it press into your heart tonight.

Application for the Week

Here are practical, actionable steps to apply this sermon in the coming week. Choose one or two to commit to and mark them in your Bible or journal. Ask the Lord to help you keep them.

Carry a Divine Burden
1. Set aside 15 minutes this week to Pray: confess apathy, ask God to give you a holy displeasure at sin for His sake, and pray for a specific person or issue in your town (an unbelieving neighbor, local school, or moral issue).
Engage the Dictated Book Daily
1. Read at least one chapter of the Bible each day this week. Start simple: Psalms, a Gospel chapter, and a Proverbs reading will give daily bread. Write one verse that stands out and memorize it.
Persist in Prayer
1. Pick one cause (revival in the church, a lost friend, a struggling family member) and pray for it intentionally each day for seven days. Use specifics: names, places, and outcomes you request God to accomplish.
Delight in the Lord: Practice Praise
1. Each morning or evening, list three spiritual blessings (why you are saved, what God has done, how He has helped you) and praise God aloud for them. Let praise be a habit, not only a feeling.
Depend on Divine Strength
1. When weariness comes, stop and pray one short prayer: “Lord, be my strength.” Then do one gospel action—make a gospel call, invite someone to church, or share a Scripture text. Rely on God, not your energy.
Persevere in God’s Work
1. Commit to one church service or ministry opportunity this week you might otherwise skip. Labor faithfully, trusting God for the fruit and leaving results to Him (Galatians 6:9).

Make a plan, tell a Christian friend to keep you accountable, and keep a short journal of what God does in response. The way to rest in the day of trouble is not to hide from the trouble but to anchor your heart in God, His Word, His church, and His empowering presence.