Habakkuk 2:1 I will stand on my watch, and set me on the tower, and will watch to see what he will say to me… Nothing definite is known of this man Habakkuk. In the text we see him preparing himself for his holy task — ascending his tower, that he may see; secluding himself, that he may hear; making his bosom bare, that he may feel the message of the Unseen. I. THE SECRET OF LIFE IS TO REALISE THE UNSEEN. To this man the world is full of an unseen, majestic presence. The very air he breathes throbs with the pulse of God, and the silence may be broken at any time by God's voice. So he spends life watching, listening, waiting. Is not every life noble and grand and true just in proportion as it realises this, as it seeks the Unseen? This is indeed the Gospel — that God is now reconciled to us, and that His presence broods over us in unutterable love. To realise this and enter into its blessedness is not only the secret of life, but it is the whole duty of man. II. WE OUGHT TO EXPECT MESSAGES FROM THE UNSEEN. To the prophet this great Unseen One is no dumb God. The truth is, that God seems to be always seeking some heart sufficiently at leisure from itself that lie may talk with it. He found such an one in Abraham and in Moses. In the days of Eli we read there was "no open vision." God was silent, for none could hear His voice; God was invisible, for earth-blinded eyes could not see Him. If we could but hear, He has much to say unto us — much about His purposes of grace toward ourselves, and about His purpose toward the world; much about the coming glory. In three ways — 1. By His Spirit through the Word. 2. By His Spirit through our conscience. 3. By His spirit through His Providence.We need these voices from the Unseen to guide and help us in the sorrows and perplexities of our lives. If it be a miracle for the Unseen to speak with men, then that is a miracle that happens almost every hour. III. HOW WE SHOULD DISPOSE OURSELVES TO RECEIVE GOD'S MESSAGES. 1. We should get up, up above the heads of the crowd, up above the crush and clamour of the worldly throng, to where there is clearer air and greater peace. It is not the new play we want, nor the most fashionable church, but the new vision of His face. Wherever we can get most of that is the place for us. 2. We are next to quicken our whole being into a listening and receptive attitude. 3. Quiet is needed also; for God most often speaks in a still, small voice. (J. C. Johnston, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. |
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