114. Watching, Waiting, Writing.

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. And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon the tables, that he may run that read-eth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. - Habakkuk 2:1-4.

THE promise of God tarried, and the ungodly triumphed.

Here was the old problem of David in another form.

"Wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously?" (Hab. 1:13) is but a repetition of "I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked" (Ps. 73:3).

This same problem occurs to ourselves, and this text may help us. Observe with understanding—

I. THE SENSE IN WHICH THERE IS A DELAY IN THE PROMISE.

It is not every apparent delay which is real. Our time and God's time are not measured upon the same dial.

1. Each promise will bide its due season for fulfillment: "For the vision is yet for an appointed time."

2. Each promise in the end will prove true: "At the end it shall speak, and not lie."

3. Each promise will repay our waiting: "Though it tarry, wait for it."

4. Each promise will really be punctual to its hour: "It will surely come, it will not tarry)."

The word of the Lord is as true to the time as to the thing.

To him its time of ripening is short: only to us is it long.

II. THE ATTITUDE OF A BELIEVER WHILE THE PROMISE DELAYS.

We should watch for the appearing of the Lord in fulfillment of his promise, and should be prepared to receive reproof as well as blessing.

The prophet took up—

1. A determined and thoughtful attitude: "I will stand, and set me."

2. An attentive attitude: "and will watch to see what he will say unto me." He is engrossed in this one pursuit: he only desires to be taught of the Lord.

3. A patient attitude: "I will set me upon the tower." It is as if he had been set as a sentinel, and would remain at his post.

4. A solitary position if need be. He speaks of himself alone.

5. A humble and submissive frame of mind: "what I shall answer when I am reproved."

In all respects the man of God is ready for his Lord.

The delay is evidently a blessing to him.

The blessing will be the greater when it comes.

III. THE WORK OF THE LORD'S SERVANT WHILE THE PROMISE DELAYS.

1. By faith set the vision. Realize the fulfillment of the divine word in your own soul. "Watch to see what he will say."

2. Declare it as certain: record it in black and white, as a fact not to be questioned. "Write the vision upon tables."

3. Declare it plainly, so that the runner may read it.

4. Declare it practically, so that he that readeth may run in consequence of it.

5. Declare it permanently: write down the matter for a record to be referred to: engrave it on tablets for perpetuity.

Sham faith prudently declines to mention her expectations.

It is deemed presumptuous, fanatical, and imprudent to be positive that God will keep his promise; and still more to say so.

The real believer thinks not so, but acts with the Lord's promises as he would deal with engagements made in business by honest men: he treats them as real, and would have others do the like.

IV. THE DIFFERENCE SEEN IN MEN WHEN THE DELAY OF THE PROMISE TESTS THEM.

l. The graceless man is too proud to wait on God as the Lord's servant will do. "His soul is not upright in him."

· He is himself dishonest, and so suspects his God.

· This prevents his finding comfort in the promise.

2. The just man believes the word of a holy God.

· He waits serenely, in full assurance; and

· He lives in the highest sense by his faith.

"My soul, wait thou only upon God" (Ps. 62:5).

What can he do who has no faith in his Maker? (Heb. 11:6)