IDEA: "The just shall live by faith" means that we live with confidence that what God says is true.

TEXT: "Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:4).

PURPOSE: To help listeners understand that living by faith means living in confidence in a specific word from God.

One of the important questions a thoughtful preacher has to answer in a sermon is "So what?" How does this work?

"The just shall live by faith." Someone has called this "the mightiest sentence in the Scriptures."

What is involved in living by faith?

To live by faith is to live with confidence in the Word of God.

I. Habakkuk the prophet had to live by faith in the word of God.

God said He would punish the nation of Judah by using the Babylonians as a rod.

God then said that He would also punish the Babylonians.

God did not spell out the details.

It seemed preposterous. Babylon seemed invincible. It looked as if it would exist forever.

II. Faith in the Scripture is always related to believing a promise from God.

A great many people have faith in faith.

If you say you live by faith, it is important to ask, "Faith in what?"

We live in faith that God will keep His word.

III. Many Christians have had their faith shaken because they felt that faith was something they could manufacture, not a response to what God has said.