Habakkuk 2:4...

"See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright––but the righteous will live by his faith." 

This section is taken from my study Bible. For years I've struggled with this Bible because it has so much information in it. It actually overwhelmed me to read it. I would get distracted by all the extra information. Now, though, I'm learning to appreciate it! 

Habakkuk is a prophet during the "death throes" of the nation of Judah. Repeatedly called to repentance, they stubbornly refuse to change their sinful ways. Habakkuk, knowing the hard-heartedness of his fellow countrymen, goes to God and asks how long this intolerable condition can continue, God replies that the Babylonians will be His chastening rod upon Judah. This announcement took Habakkuk to his knees, because the Babylonians were more corrupt and sinful than Judah. Even in the midst of this The Lord gives Habakkuk the words "See, he (the enemy) is puffed up; his desires are not upright––but the righteous will live by HIS FAITH." 

The circumstances of life sometimes appear to contradict God's revelation concerning His power and purposes. Habakkuk struggles in his faith when he sees men flagrantly violate God's law and distort justice on every level, without fear of divine intervention. He wants to know why God allows this growing iniquity to go unpunished...do you ever feel this way when you see bad people getting their way and prospering when you're stuggling to make ends meet? Honestly, sometimes, I do...When God reveals His intention to use Babylon as His rod of judgment, Habakkuk is even more troubled, because that nation is more corrupt than Judah. God's answer satisfies Habakkuk that he can trust Him even in the worst of circumstances because of His matchless widsom, goodness, and power. God's plan is perfect, and nothing is big enough to stand in the way of its ultimate fulfillment. In spite of appearances to the contrary, God is still on the throne as The Lord of history and the Ruler of the nations. God may be slow to wrath, but all iniquity will be punished eventually. He is the worthiest object of faith, and the righteous man will trust in Him at all times. 

Now my words...

The righteous (just) will live by his faith. Words of comfort! I may not understand what is happening around me, but, God honors my living by faith. A thought...did you notice that the scripture says, "by his faith?" It doesn't say by God's faith. God doesn't need faith...HE'S GOD! We've each been given a measure of faith...use it!

Other translations of this are...

Common English Bible...but the righteous person will live honestly...personally, I don't think this is a proper translation. Honestly and faith are, to me, two entirely different things. According to Websters, honestly means to do things in an a genuine way, no lying. Faith on the other hand means to trust in someone. Your thoughts?

Common Jewish Bible...but the righteous will attain life through trusting faithfulness...now this one I like! Through faithful trusting in God, the righteous will attain life! 

Easy to Read Version...but those who are good will live because they believe it...not sure about this one either. There is a difference between righteous and good. You can be a good person and have zero relationship with God. You are righteous because you have a relationship with Jesus. There is a difference.

Good News Translation...but those who are righteous will live because they are faithful to God.

Message...but the person in right standing before God through loyal and steady believing is fully alive, really alive...When we are in relationship with Jesus, we are in right standing with God. Faith is being steady in our believing. I like this one!

Cross References...

I'm learning to love looking at the cross references! 

Romans 1:17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed––a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written; "The righteous will live by faith."

Galatians 3:11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because "the righteous will live by faith." I'm going on a rabbit trail for just a moment....we will never be justified by keeping the Ten Commandments. You can read all through Romans and Galatians that the law will in no way justify us. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Noah, Moses...these men were not justified by the law. They were justified by their faith in what God told them to do and then doing it. End rabbit trail!

Hebrews 10:38 "But My righteousness one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with Him."

Romans 9:30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith...Another rabbit trail...the Gentiles, us, were never subject to the law. They becaume righteous by their faith in Jeus. Praise God! We are not held to the law, but to our faith in our Redeemer! End rabbit trail #2!

Romans 3:22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile.

Romans 4:5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness...Being a missionary, this one is near and dear to my heart. My faith is credited as righteousness...the same words are spoken about Abraham. WooHoo!!

Romans 4:13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith...Yep! Again, through faith, not the law.

Romans 10:6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do no say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'

Galatians 2:16 Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jeus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

Philippians 3:9 And be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ––the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Hebrews 11:17 By faith, Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith...I've read this scripture many times, as I assume you have, and this time something else I've never noticed caught my eye. The scripture says...by faith he (Noah) condemned the world. It does not say that God condemned the world. Am I the only one that goes hmmmmm at this? Noah, by his faith, condemned the world to die in a great flood. So many questions here! Would the world still have been flooded if Noah had had no faith? How did Noah have such great faith? Was it from his father? Did the stories, told through the generations, about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their faith, build Noah's faith? So many questions!!!

Genesis 6:9 This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. 

I want to leave you with one more thought from my study Bible...Habaqquq (Hebrew spelling of Habakkuk) is an unusual Hebrew name derived from the verb habaq, "embrace." Thus his name probably means "One Who Embraces" or "Clings." At the end of his book this name becomes appropriate because Habakkuk chooses to cling firmly to God regarless of what happens to his nation...Habakkuk is a great example for us today. No matter what happens in our family, neighborhood, city, county, state, nation or around the world, we can have faith in our Great Redeemer to always be on our side and walk with us through the fiery trials of life.