Habakkuk 2:4 - Living by Faith and Not by Sight.

Hab.2:4; Living by Faith and Not by Sight.

Look at the proud!
Their spirit is not right in them,
but the righteous live by their faith.
Hab 2:4 (NRSV)

We have met this verse before: "The just shall live by faith" (Rom. 1:17;
Heb. 10:38). This little verse from Habakkuk is so rich that God wrote three
NT commentaries on it! [Wiersbe Expository Outlines]

Instead of becoming an atheist or agnostic, Habakkuk went to his watchtower
to pray, meditate, and wait on the Lord. He knew that God heard his
complaint and that He would send an answer soon. God did answer. "I have a
plan and a schedule," God said. "It will all work out in due time, so don't
become impatient." Then God gave to Habakkuk three very wonderful assurances
to encourage and strengthen him during those difficult days. The first is
that the just shall live by faith" (v. 4). This is one of the most important
verses in the entire Bible. It forms the text for three NT books: Romans
(1:17-emphasis is on the just); Galatians (3:11-emphasis is on shall live);
and Hebrews (10:38-emphasis is on by faith). This verse describes two kinds
of people: those who are proud because they trust in themselves, and those
who are saved and humble because they trust in the Lord. [Wiersbe's
Expository Outlines]

Living by faith, i.e., in humble dependence of God, stands in distinct
contrast to the ways of the proud and self-sufficient. [Jamieson, Fausset,
And Brown Commentary]

The "righteous" shall "live," that is, "prosper and be blessed." The words
"by his faith" referred to the godly person's deep reliance upon God. [New
Bible Companion]

Habakkuk states the fundamental principle of the gospel: "the just shall
live by his faith." To divest oneself of the feeling of security in oneself,
to believe God's message, and to trust in Him means life and happiness for
the soul. [Believer's SB]