Habakkuk 2:1-2

Lord Give Me Vision

 

Prov. 29:18 KJV Where there is no vision the People Perish

A)With no vision – people are left to meander thru life – JUST EXISTING – Day to Day

 

B) What is Vision?  Why is it important :

In his book on Leadership – Henry Blackaby makes the statement – If you can’t see where you are going you are unlikely to get there. If you don’t get there no one you are leading will either 

 

Vision is the world's most desperate need. There are no hopeless situations, only people who think hopelessly.

 

Give us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for, because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything. 

                 Peter Marshall

 

C) Do you have a Vision for your life – Your Family

1)    General Vision as Christians: Salt & Light – Ambassadors Witnesses – HEAVEN

2)    AS PARENTS: Train our kids –

 

D) But what about a Specific Vision for this Season of your Life!! Where are you going what are you doing

1) Are you in need of Vision?

 

Tonight we see a good illustration of how vision comes. 

A)In chap. 1 we saw Hab. wrestling with God’s will – why he wasn’t judging the people

 

B)Then he MOVES from wrestling with God’s will to wondering about God’s way

1) that God was going to use the Babylonians…..

 

C) SO Habakkuk is in need of direction – he needs a vision –   Notice what he does – v.1

I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart,

And watch to see what He will say to me,

And what I will answer when I am corrected.

 

Now there are 3 Key components in this verse that are Necessary for receiving Vision & direction from the Lord

A)1st – Component is Isolation- Habakkuk goes to the TOWER

 

B) Habakkuk knows that if he is going to hear God speak he has to get away!

1) Away from the routine – away from distractions – away from daily pressures.

 

C) For Habakkuk that meant –his  prayer tower – stand watch: Wrestling to Watching

1) God’s way:  Peter – Joppa – roof- Quiet place / time Heart

Moses – burning bush in desert – Mt. Top – tent outside of camp{ Joshua – Ch. 5 – commander

B) Jesus Mark 1 – Early in the Morning – next towns

1) Before Choosing Disciples -

 

C)One reason many Christians lack vision – they never put themselves in the place where they can hear God speak! 

 

D) Too busy running to friends – too busy trying to handle everything in the energy of the flesh

1) Look at things only in the Natural -

 

Listen if we are going to be people who receive the vision & direction from the Lord that is Necessary for our families / ministry / lives

A)We need to have a quiet place – A place that is different from the routine – special place

 

B) Quiet place / time / heart / hear God speak

1) For me – Beach early morning – God just speak to me ….. Something about that place

 

C) Sometimes here at office – most distracted / Now  my intention might be – study – pray

1)One conversation to another – pretty soon the whole day is gone. What I really intended to do never happens

. 

D)Break in counseling – run down to park – pray – read – Lord speak to me about issues – appt. this problem.

 

So 1st  is Isolation

A)Something to be said about getting away/ Putting yourself in the place where God can speak

 

B)2nd is Determination:  When he needed an answer Hab. said I will stand my watch

 

C) Notice he didn’t say I should spend some time w/ the Lord – maybe next week or when it is convenient

1)    No his attitude was one of I need to hear from the Lord & I am going to go to my tower – Now

 

D) I will put myself in the place –and I am not leaving until I hear something

 

First time I ever experienced this –I was in H.S. – struggled in devotions  – terribly inconsistent –

A)College called – word came alive to me – 8 months – 30 minutes to 4 hours.

 

B) Suddenly dry – weeks trying to figure out the problem.  I was determined – room.

1) God appreciates that heart – diligence   Those who seek me diligently will find me

 

C) Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him

1) we are the same way

 

Dating – courting – let’s get some coffee sometime – okay – sounds good – when? Well not sure – let me call you – call me when?  Next week sometime

Never calls – see him – he is like  we still need to get together – coffee.  I’ll call you

A)After a while you Get the message – not really that interested

 

B)I wonder how many times we project that attitude toward God – need to get together – need to do lunch

 

C) Now if you a girl and a guy says – coffee – next week sure – love to!  When? 

1) Well I need to check my schedule when get home – can I call you tomorrow? Sure – tomorrow great!

 

D)He says, what would be a good time to call? You say 8:00 a.m.  I will call you at 8:00 a.m. sharp. 

1)You know especially when he does call – when he does follow through – he is serious! 

2) Determined – blesses you

 

The Lord is the same way – He loves the heart that says – God I really need to spend time with you

A)I really need to hear your heart – so tomorrow up – extra early – head down to beach – drive into MTS

 

B) Go to my secret place – speak to me – I am determined let nothing keep me from that.

 

C) We are far too busy & distracted sometimes to really hear the Lord’s Voice –

1) No major decisions w/ out doing this – sometimes several days in a Row – Clear

So 1st is have a Secret place: Isolation

2nd Determine to go there – get to your Tower –don’t let anything keep you  from it 

 

#3 When you go there go w/ a heart of Expectation –

A)Habakkuk – goes to the Tower – I am going to watch to see what the Lord will say to me

 

B) Not what He might say / not what I hope He says to me or what I wish – He says to me

1) He goes to the Tower w/ a Heart that is expecting to hear from God

 

C) SO Hab. is no longer wrestling – Now He is watching but also WAITING

1) He is expecting to hear from God –

 

D) Do you expect to hear from God ? – Simple test when you pray – when you seek him { Journal

1)    – Lord I am ready – Notice what God says to Hab. v.2 Write the vision …… run w/ it

 

E) Devotions: Reading & Praying Denise talk talk talk talk / My turn

1)    NO I talk / she talks / I talk a little / she more

 

F) My Devotions I come expecting the Lord to speak to me – Ready to write down –

1)    Write out Prayers

 

Isolation / Determination / Expectation = Vision

Now notice v.2 again interesting verse that can be interpreted or translated in two ways

A)The Lord could be saying – Write the vision and make it so plain that the person who is running by can read it – like a Bill board

 

B) I think the vision of our lives – should be so clear that people cruising by can read it & know what we are about

 

C) This verse can also mean: Write the vision down & make it plain so that those share it w/ can run w/ it

 

D) Personally I think that both are right – The vision should be so simple that people who are just passing by will know what you are about

 

E) And that you will be able to share it w/ others and they will CATCH IT - & run w/ it as well

1)    Caught not taught

 

F) The thing to Understand is the Lord says write it down so that it can be shared w/ others

1)    Importance of writing it down – Praying it thru

 

Also tested: Match w/ Scripture

 

 

 

 

 

One more thing v.3

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time;

But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.

Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come,   It will not tarry.

 

When God reveals things to your heart – Confirmed by the Word – Know it is for an appointed time

A)Wait for it – though it tarries wait

 

B) God’s perfect timing it will be revealed –