GOD’S HAND OF POWER (1)

“HIS BRIGHTNESS was like THE LIGHT; He had rays flashing from HIS HAND, and there HIS POWER was hidden” – Habakkuk 3:4

Confusion, Doubt, and Fear flee when we encounter GOD’S HAND of POWER: “HIS BRIGHTNESS was like THE LIGHT; He had rays flashing from HIS HAND, and there HIS POWER was hidden” (Hab.3:4). The ultimate fulfilment of this scripture is in our Lord Jesus Christ: “Who being the BRIGHTNESS of HIS GLORY and the express Image of His Person, and upholding all things by the WORD of HIS POWER, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the RIGHT HAND of the Majesty on high” (Heb.1:3). This is the same Light that manifested on the first Day of creation (Gen.1:4-5). Now, the True Light is perfectly displayed in Christ Jesus (Jh.1:6-9). He introduced Himself: “I am the LIGHT of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the LIGHT of LIFE” (Jh.8:12).

Habakkuk 3:4 also brings to mind the Light of God’s Shekinah: “Now the Glory of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. The sight of the Glory of the Lord was like a consuming FIRE on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel” (Exo.24:16-17). God led His people through the wilderness, by His Glory: “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them LIGHT, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people” (Exo.13:21-22).

Habakkuk began with a Revival-seeking prayer from the God of all Power: “O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O Lord, REVIVE YOUR WORK in the midst of the years!” (v.2a). The first two chapters had presented Habakkuk’s question and answer time with God. Now, he brought a Prayer for Revival to close the book. He knew that revival is the Work of God, not the achievement of man. He knew how God once worked and how His people once responded, and wanted to see that again. Man must cry out to God for Mercy and for His reviving work. Habakkuk prayed, not for God to revive his (Habakkuk’s) work, but God’s own Work! We must have a heart for God’s Work, far bigger than for ours! Interestingly, we also are part of His Work! So, another tenable prayer is: “O Lord, in Mercy REVIVE ME”!

It is however usual to relate God’s Power only to the display of signs, wonders, and miracles. These are undoubtedly crucial, but so is God’s Power for Revival! God’s Hand is powerful to revive slumbering souls, in conduct, conversation, and communion. In conduct, our walk – public and private – must glorify Him (1Pet.2:12). In conversation, our speech must witness Jesus, and minister grace to the hearers, rather than being profane or impure (Eph.4:29). In communion, we must manifest a growing, abiding, and fruitful life in Him (Jh.15: 4-8). All of these come by His Mercy, because we deserved Wrath, not Revival: “In wrath remember mercy.”

The rest of the text demonstrates the Power of God on behalf of His people, starting with His Glory covering the heavens and the earth (v.3), and the manifestation of His Radiance: “His Brightness was like THE LIGHT; He had rays flashing from HIS HAND, and there HIS POWER was hidden” (v.4b). GOD’S POWER is hidden in the LIGHT of His GLORY; and HIS HAND is the dynamic Bearer of HIS POWER! In His Hand lies His Power, which before was hidden, but has been revealed and is now made manifest in and through His Son, His Church, and His anointed ministers, whom He holds in His Right Hand: “These things says He who holds the seven stars in HIS RIGHT HAND…” (Rev.2:1a). Through His Mercy, we’re God’s Battle-axe, weapons of war, and Flaming Fire (Jer.51:20; Psa.104:4).