There is a statement found in Habakkuk 2:4 which I believe to be the key to understanding the message of this prophecy. "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by faith." While the wicked are filled with self-righteousness, those who are justified by the grace of God live by faith, resting on the blood and righteousness of Christ. Those words, "the just shall live by faith" are quoted three times in the New Testament (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11 and Hebrews 10:38). Remember, Habakkuk prophesied at a time of spiritual famine in the nation of Judah. In fact, such was the vileness of the nation as a whole that most of chapter one deals with God's word of determination to use the Chaldeans as His instruments of judgment against these rebellious people. However, there was a remnant within the nation according to the election of grace and these are reminded to live by faith upon the Lord. Habakkuk's name means embrace, and that is what he calls the people of God to do. There is to be a daily embracing of the Son of God. Live each day "looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).
In the first chapter Habakkuk prays for his nation. In the second chapter the Lord answers His prayer with a list of "woes." In the third chapter the prophet sets forth a hymn of praise and closes with a declaration of his assured confidence in the Lord. Read carefully all of the verses of the last chapter, and view by faith the Lord Jesus Christ in the splendor of His glory. The prophet writes of "His brightness was as the light and He had horns coming out of His hand: and there was the hiding of His power" (3:4). The horns signify the omnipotence of Christ, yet that power was, for the most part, hidden for a while as He walked upon this earth working out a righteousness for His people. "Thou wentest forth for the salvation of Thy people, even for salvation with Thine anointed" (3:13). He went forth from heaven's glory to save the people of His choice by His mighty work of redemption. He mortally wounded all the enemies of His people in His death (3:13). It is in the light of the substitutionary work of Christ that we see our own depravity, and like Habakkuk we say, "When I heard, my belly trembled, my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when He cometh up unto the people, He will invade them with His troops" (3:16). When the Lord of glory returns, the only place of safety in that day is to be "found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" (Philippians 3:9).
Embracing the Lord of glory, Habakkuk concludes his prophesy with words of confidence in the Lord. No matter what happens in this world, regardless of the temporal difficulties that may assail the people of God, let us like the prophet, "Rejoice in the LORD." May each of us "joy in the God of my salvation" (3:18).