How God Manifests Himself

The Book of the Prophet Habakkuk shows how God manifests himself, especially during times of trouble.

In his holy temple (Habakkuk 2: 2)
In Old Testament times he especially indwelt the Ark of the covenant in the Temple. In the New Testament, he is seen primarily in Jesus. He is also found in the congregation and in individual Christians, whose bodies are described as “the temple of the Holy Spirit”.

In the filling of the earth with his glory (2: 14)
In Exodus 19 God’s “shekinah” glory was physically manifest in lightening and thunder on Mt. Sinai. John 1 shows us that his glory is manifested in Jesus. The Transformations II video (George Otis Jr) refers to a physical manifestations of God’s glory in a roaring wind at an Inuit church in the late 1990s in North Canada, which was supernaturally recorded on tape after the sound system had been turned off.

In the renewing of his work (3: 2)
God desires to restore all that has been lost.

In his mercy within the midst of wrath (3: 2)
Even within the midst of tragedy, God restrains the hand of evil.

In the vindication of his people (3: 16)
Ultimately our spiritual enemies will be defeated. Christ was unfairly put to death for our eternal benefit. The Father raised him up. See Acts 2: 22-24.

In the nourishment of his people (3: 19)
God makes our feet like those of a deer on high places.

In the gospel of faith (2: 4)
“The just shall live by faith”. See also Romans 1: 17. This is the central plank of the Gospel, made possible alone by the death of Christ upon the Cross. People are saved by faith, and the born-again grow and progress by faith and faithfulness. “Though the fig tree do not blossom… yet will I rejoice in the LORD.” (Hab 2: 17-18)

Lindsay Johnstone

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