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 people—rebellious as they were—to 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 gospel—the 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 experiencing—such 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:

Hab.2.4|Hab.3.17-Hab.3.19|Rom.1.17|Hab.1.2-Hab.1.4|Hab.1.12-Hab.1.13