As we step back into his story, Habakkuk remains on his watchtower, his sacred place, where he recommits to his continuing trust in God. As God returns with His response, He instructs Habakkuk to write down what He is about to say. God wants the people to clearly know His plan will take place in His way and in His time. While God has chosen to use the wicked Babylonians to bring judgment on His chosen people, judgment for the Babylonians would also come. God reminds Habakkuk and the people that “He opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

God was fully aware the path the Babylonians had chosen. They were a wicked nation, full of pride and arrogance, without integrity, never satisfied, and self-sufficient. God further pronounces woes or expressions of grief and judgment that will come upon them because of their sin. The path Babylon has chosen will lead to their ruin.

Though Judah had sinned against God, their path is different and described by one statement found in Habakkuk 2:4, “the righteous shall live by his faith.” Though they would often step off the path, Judah still chose the path of righteousness. They followed God. Their journey with God began with faith and continued with faith. Their path would not lead to ruin but to God.

The path of righteousness begins the moment you trust in Christ’s work on the cross as payment for the penalty of sin. You enter into a relationship with God with sins forgiven. Because Jesus took your sins upon Himself and paid the debt you owed, His righteousness is placed upon you. Though you still sin because of the sin nature that resides in all of us, God looks on you with the righteousness of Christ. Even with sins forgiven, it is easy to step off the path of righteousness.

Your faith walk is not just that beginning step of faith at salvation but rather the continuing relationship you now have with Him. You walk with God in faith. It is a lifestyle of belief compared to a lifestyle of unbelief, which characterized the nation of Babylon.

So how do you stay on the path of righteousness? We are given instruction through God’s words to James.

“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” James 4:6-10

Reminded again that God turns away from proud, arrogant people who desire to do life on their own, He offers grace. When you humbly submit yourself to God and His plan, even when that plan is hard to understand or difficult to follow, God supplies abundant grace. He walks with you in every moment of your journey giving you all you need to stay on the path of righteousness. As you faithfully follow God, pursing Him with all your heart, He will draw near to you. You may experience challenging times on the path, but joy comes through difficulty knowing you are in the hands of God. You are assured of His strength, His control, His overwhelming love, and His goodness. While the proud are assured of their ruin, you are assured of eternal hope and victory.

So, what path are you following? Maybe you are on the path of righteousness as a follower of Christ, but you have stepped off the path. As you humbly seek forgiveness and draw near Him in faith, you will know His presence. He has never stepped away from you but quietly waits for you to find Him again and step back on the path.

If you have never chosen the path of following Jesus, He offers His gift of salvation to you today. “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21) Take that first step of faith and follow the path that leads to life – eternal life.