1. A BIG QUESTION Sun, Mar 1

a. What did the prophet Habakkuk express in his opening prayer to God? Habakkuk 1:1–4. “From a human point of view the divine purpose for the chosen nation seemed almost impossible of accomplishment. The apostasy of former centuries had gathered strength with the passing years; ten of the tribes had been scattered among the heathen; only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained, and even these now seemed on the verge of moral and national ruin. The prophets had begun to foretell the utter destruction of their fair city, where stood the temple built by Solomon, and where all their earthly hopes of national greatness had centered. Could it be that God was about to turn aside from His avowed purpose of bringing deliverance to those who should put their trust in Him? In the face of the long-continued persecution of the righteous, and of the apparent prosperity of the wicked, could those who had remained true to God hope for better days? These anxious questionings were voiced by the prophet Habakkuk.”—Prophets and Kings, pp. 384, 385. b. How did the Lord respond? Habakkuk 1:6–11.

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2. PATIENCE IN THE TARRYING Mon, Mar 2

a. Why was Habakkuk willing to accept God’s plan? Habakkuk 1:12, 13. “God answered the cry of His loyal children. Through His chosen mouthpiece He revealed His determination to bring chastisement upon the nation that had turned from Him to serve the gods of the heathen. Within the lifetime of some who were even then making inquiry regarding the future, He would miraculously shape the affairs of the ruling nations of earth and bring the Babylonians into the ascendancy. These Chaldeans, ‘terrible and dreadful,’ were to fall suddenly upon the land of Judah as a divinely appointed scourge.”—Prophets and Kings, p. 385. b. What lesson given to the prophet was highly applicable in the experience of the early Advent pioneers? Habakkuk 2:1–4. “When the time passed at which the Lord’s coming was first expected—in the spring of 1844—those who had looked in faith for His appearing were for a season involved in doubt and uncertainty. While the world regarded them as having been utterly defeated and proved to have been cherishing a delusion, their source of consolation was still the word of God. Many continued to search the Scriptures, examining anew the evidences of their faith and carefully studying the prophecies to obtain further light. . . .“Interwoven with prophecies which they had regarded as applying to the time of the second advent was instruction specially adapted to their state of uncertainty and suspense, and encouraging them to wait patiently in the faith that what was now dark to their understanding would in due time be made plain. Among these prophecies was that of Habakkuk 2:1–4. . . .“As early as 1842 the direction given in this prophecy to ‘write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it,’ had suggested to Charles Fitch the preparation of a prophetic chart to illustrate the visions of Daniel and the Revelation. The publication of this chart was regarded as a fulfillment of the command given by Habakkuk. No one, however, then noticed that an apparent delay in the accomplishment of the vision—a tarrying time—is presented in the same prophecy.”—The Great Controversy, pp. 391, 392.

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3. LIVING IN GOD’S PRESENCE Tue, Mar 3

a. How has Habakkuk 2:4 strengthened believers in every generation? Romans 1:16, 17. “The faith that strengthened Habakkuk and all the holy and the just in those days of deep trial was the same faith that sustains God’s people today. In the darkest hours, under circumstances the most forbidding, the Christian believer may keep his soul stayed upon the source of all light and power. Day by day, through faith in God, his hope and courage may be renewed. ‘The just shall live by his faith.’ In the service of God there need be no despondency, no wavering, no fear. . . .“We must cherish and cultivate the faith of which prophets and apostles have testified—the faith that lays hold on the promises of God and waits for deliverance in His appointed time and way.”—Prophets and Kings, pp. 386, 387. b. When tempted to doubt or fall into presumption, what must we always keep in mind? Lamentations 3:25, 26; Habakkuk 2:20. “The time of waiting may seem long, the soul may be oppressed by discouraging circumstances, many in whom confidence has been placed may fall by the way; but with the prophet who endeavored to encourage Judah in a time of unparalleled apostasy, let us confidently declare, ‘The Lord is in His holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him.’ ”—Ibid pp. 387, 388.“True reverence for God is inspired by a sense of His infinite greatness and a realization of His presence.”—Education, p. 242.“ ‘Holy and reverend is His name.’ Palm 111:9, Angels, as they speak it, veil their faces. With what reverence should we, who are fallen and sinful, take it upon our lips!“We should reverence God’s Word. For the printed volume we should show respect, never putting it to common uses, or handling it carelessly.”—Child Guidance, p. 538.“Parents, be careful what example and what ideas you give your children. Their minds are plastic, and impressions are easily made. In regard to the service of the sanctuary, if the speaker has a blemish, be afraid to mention it. Talk only of the good work he is doing, of the good ideas he presented, which you should heed as coming through God’s agent. It may be readily seen why children are so little impressed with the ministry of the Word and why they have so little reverence for the house of God. Their education has been defective in this respect.”—Ibid., p. 545.

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4. AS TRIALS THICKEN . . . Wed, Mar 4

a. What fervent prayer of Habakkuk should we echo today? Habakkuk 3:2. “There is need today of such a revival of true heart religion as was experienced by ancient Israel. Repentance is the first step that must be taken by all who would return to God. No one can do this work for another. We must individually humble our souls before God and put away our idols. When we have done all that we can do, the Lord will manifest to us His salvation.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 590. b. Even in the face of serious hardship and difficulties, what should consistently characterize our faith—and why? Habakkuk 3:17–19; Philippians 2:14, 15. “Let the hard-pressed, sorely tried one say, ‘Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.’ ”—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 317.“The pleading blood of Christ has shielded the sinner from receiving the full measure of his guilt; but in the final judgment, wrath is poured out unmixed with mercy. . . .“The people of God will not be free from suffering; but while persecuted and distressed, while they endure privation and suffer for want of food they will not be left to perish. That God who cared for Elijah will not pass by one of His self-sacrificing children. He who numbers the hairs of their head will care for them, and in time of famine they shall be satisfied. While the wicked are dying from hunger and pestilence, angels will shield the righteous and supply their wants.”—The Great Controversy, p. 629. c. What other prophet was raised up during this same period to bring messages also relevant to our time? Zephaniah 1:1. “Habakkuk was not the only one through whom was given a message of bright hope and of future triumph as well as of present judgment. During the reign of Josiah the word of the Lord came to Zephaniah, specifying plainly the results of continued apostasy, and calling the attention of the true church to the glorious prospect beyond. His prophecies of impending judgment upon Judah apply with equal force to the judgments that are to fall upon an impenitent world at the time of the second advent of Christ.”—Prophets and Kings, p. 389.

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5. A TRAGIC, SUBTLE TRAP Thu, Mar 5

a. What sobering message unveils the reality of God’s wrath against false worship and those who promote it? Zephaniah 1:2–6. b. While one may casually assume to be following God, what attitudes reveal serious rebellion hidden in the heart? Zephaniah 1:12, 13; Matthew 24:48–51. “The people to whom God has entrusted the sacred, solemn, testing truths for this time are sleeping at their post. They say by their actions: We have the truth; we are ‘rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;’ while the True Witness declares: Thou ‘knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.’“With what fidelity do these words portray the present condition of the church: ‘Knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.’ Messages of warning, dictated by the Holy Spirit, are borne by the servants of God, defects of character are presented before the erring; but they say: ‘That does not represent my case. I do not accept the message you bring. I am doing the best I can. I believe the truth.’“That evil servant who said in his heart, ‘My Lord delayeth His coming,’ professed to be waiting for Christ. He was a ‘servant,’ outwardly devoted to the service of God while at heart he had yielded to Satan. He does not, like the scoffer, openly deny the truth, but reveals in his life the sentiment of the heart—that the Lord’s coming is delayed. Presumption renders him careless of eternal interests. He accepts the world’s maxims and conforms to its customs and practices. Selfishness, worldly pride, and ambitions predominate. Fearing that his brethren may stand higher than himself, he begins to disparage their efforts and impugn their motives. Thus he smites his fellow servants.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pp. 101, 102.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS Fri, Mar 6

1. If puzzled by God’s ways, what must I learn from Habakkuk’s prayers? 2. Whom do I know that would appreciate a timeline chart of prophecy? 3. What aspects of my deportment in the house of God should improve? 4. Why is it vital for me to resist the temptation to murmur and complain? 5. When reproved, why is it vital for me to invest in deep heart-searching?