Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
The lifted-up, self-exalting heart is crooked within, while the righteous keep living by trust in God. It was spoken of a revealed future that seemed to delay, calling for patient, confident waiting until it speaks clearly at its appointed time and surely comes. That waiting will not be in vain, for the promise is certain at its set hour, with final deliverance at Christ's glorious coming. Living by faith means depending on Christ's merits rather than human works for salvation, a righteousness open to everyone who believes and receives Him as personal Saviour. Such faith is precious and real, not mere profession, but a trust that grows, endures testing, works in obedience and love, and keeps the soul stayed on God with renewed hope and courage through the darkest trial.
Vision, Delay, and Fulfillment
Habakkuk received this word as a gracious answer while meditating on the future and standing on his watch to hear what God would say. He was told to write the vision and make it plain on tables, so that one who reads it might run. The vision was for an appointed time, and at the end would speak and not lie; though it tarried it was to be waited for, because it would surely come and would not tarry. In that answer two conditions are set against each other: the soul that is lifted up is not upright within, while the just and righteous keep living by trust in God.
Living by faith in such a setting means waiting patiently with confidence in God while what is unclear is made plain in due time. So the word encouraged believers after the disappointment of spring 1844 to remain faithful despite the apparent delay in Christ's coming. The prophetic vision is sure and comes at its appointed time, not beyond it, and is certain to be fulfilled in the last days. Its final fulfillment is in the glorious advent of Christ, so the just hold to God's promises and wait for deliverance in His appointed time and way even when the wait seems long and circumstances discourage.
This promise of life by faith is held out while nations face retribution and measured correction. The surrounding chapter gives a faint description of coming reality, in which evil will spring forth and self-wise men will block the way. It stands among clearly described scenes of universal destruction and desolation that will soon come and be witnessed just as written, requiring readiness because the Son of man comes in an hour unlooked for.
Justification Through Genuine Faith
The just live by faith, not by trusting in human works for salvation, and constant reliance on the merits of Christ is necessary. This truth came to mind during the penance of climbing Pilate's staircase on the knees, exposing the folly of that act and helping turn away from papal teachings. It is gospel truth for Jews and Gentiles alike, that God's righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, and salvation comes to everyone who believes in Christ and accepts Him as personal Saviour.
Saving faith is precious and valuable true faith, the faith of God's elect and a gift to the humble contrite soul, defined as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. It is not superficial or merely professed, not the faith of a heretic, not the pretentious faith of a hypocrite, and not the unsatisfactory faith of a formal professor. It is genuine saving faith, a precious treasure of inestimable value, not fruitless and not superficial.
Genuine faith must be acted on rather than merely professed. It continues to grow in earnestness into a deeper understanding of righteousness, works with God in salvation, and is shown in corresponding good works. It works through love purifying the soul, and through grace and the Spirit leads to sacrifice for others and use of abilities in service, showing Christ's character in the life.
True faith is cultivated, endures testing rather than drawing back, and rests on God and His promises while distrustful of self. It produces a truly spiritual Christlike life. It unites the human with the divine nature, and unites the weakest and apparently least efficient person with Jesus Christ, so that united with His efficiency the weak become strong, taking the believer one step at a time upward in progress up the ladder.
Trust Sustaining Present Life
The trust spoken of in the verse strengthened Habakkuk and all the holy and just in days of deep trial, and it still sustains God's people today. In the darkest hours and under the most forbidding circumstances the believer keeps the soul stayed upon God as the source of all light and power, and day by day hope and courage are renewed through faith. There need be no despondency, no wavering, and no fear in serving God. The Lord will more than fulfill the highest expectations of those who put their trust in Him, and will give them the wisdom their varied needs demand.
This sustaining faith holds to God's promises and waits for deliverance in His appointed time and way, even when the wait seems long and circumstances discourage. It waits with confidence for the appointed vision because God's word will surely come and will surely be fulfilled, with final fulfillment in Christ's glorious advent. Even when trusted people fall away, this faith renews hope and courage through trial as the just trust in Him.
Living by faith means depending on God day by day while doing the work before them and sacrificing for His cause. It means depending on the Lord rather than on own strength. It is shown in praying for strength and means, trusting that He hears prayer, laboring through hardship, and relying on His help to earn means for spreading the truth. Living for heaven is living by faith.
The lifted-up, self-exalting heart is crooked within, while the righteous keep living by trust in God. It was spoken of a revealed future that seemed to delay, calling for patient, confident waiting until it speaks clearly at its appointed time and surely comes. That waiting will not be in vain, for the promise is certain at its set hour, with final deliverance at Christ's glorious coming. Living by faith means depending on Christ's merits rather than human works for salvation, a righteousness open to everyone who believes and receives Him as personal Saviour. Such faith is precious and real, not mere profession, but a trust that grows, endures testing, works in obedience and love, and keeps the soul stayed on God with renewed hope and courage through the darkest trial.
Vision, Delay, and Fulfillment
Habakkuk received this word as a gracious answer while meditating on the future and standing on his watch to hear what God would say. He was told to write the vision and make it plain on tables, so that one who reads it might run. The vision was for an appointed time, and at the end would speak and not lie; though it tarried it was to be waited for, because it would surely come and would not tarry. In that answer two conditions are set against each other: the soul that is lifted up is not upright within, while the just and righteous keep living by trust in God.
Living by faith in such a setting means waiting patiently with confidence in God while what is unclear is made plain in due time. So the word encouraged believers after the disappointment of spring 1844 to remain faithful despite the apparent delay in Christ's coming. The prophetic vision is sure and comes at its appointed time, not beyond it, and is certain to be fulfilled in the last days. Its final fulfillment is in the glorious advent of Christ, so the just hold to God's promises and wait for deliverance in His appointed time and way even when the wait seems long and circumstances discourage.
This promise of life by faith is held out while nations face retribution and measured correction. The surrounding chapter gives a faint description of coming reality, in which evil will spring forth and self-wise men will block the way. It stands among clearly described scenes of universal destruction and desolation that will soon come and be witnessed just as written, requiring readiness because the Son of man comes in an hour unlooked for.
Justification Through Genuine Faith
The just live by faith, not by trusting in human works for salvation, and constant reliance on the merits of Christ is necessary. This truth came to mind during the penance of climbing Pilate's staircase on the knees, exposing the folly of that act and helping turn away from papal teachings. It is gospel truth for Jews and Gentiles alike, that God's righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, and salvation comes to everyone who believes in Christ and accepts Him as personal Saviour.
Saving faith is precious and valuable true faith, the faith of God's elect and a gift to the humble contrite soul, defined as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. It is not superficial or merely professed, not the faith of a heretic, not the pretentious faith of a hypocrite, and not the unsatisfactory faith of a formal professor. It is genuine saving faith, a precious treasure of inestimable value, not fruitless and not superficial.
Genuine faith must be acted on rather than merely professed. It continues to grow in earnestness into a deeper understanding of righteousness, works with God in salvation, and is shown in corresponding good works. It works through love purifying the soul, and through grace and the Spirit leads to sacrifice for others and use of abilities in service, showing Christ's character in the life.
True faith is cultivated, endures testing rather than drawing back, and rests on God and His promises while distrustful of self. It produces a truly spiritual Christlike life. It unites the human with the divine nature, and unites the weakest and apparently least efficient person with Jesus Christ, so that united with His efficiency the weak become strong, taking the believer one step at a time upward in progress up the ladder.
Trust Sustaining Present Life
The trust spoken of in the verse strengthened Habakkuk and all the holy and just in days of deep trial, and it still sustains God's people today. In the darkest hours and under the most forbidding circumstances the believer keeps the soul stayed upon God as the source of all light and power, and day by day hope and courage are renewed through faith. There need be no despondency, no wavering, and no fear in serving God. The Lord will more than fulfill the highest expectations of those who put their trust in Him, and will give them the wisdom their varied needs demand.
This sustaining faith holds to God's promises and waits for deliverance in His appointed time and way, even when the wait seems long and circumstances discourage. It waits with confidence for the appointed vision because God's word will surely come and will surely be fulfilled, with final fulfillment in Christ's glorious advent. Even when trusted people fall away, this faith renews hope and courage through trial as the just trust in Him.
Living by faith means depending on God day by day while doing the work before them and sacrificing for His cause. It means depending on the Lord rather than on own strength. It is shown in praying for strength and means, trusting that He hears prayer, laboring through hardship, and relying on His help to earn means for spreading the truth. Living for heaven is living by faith.