March 8, 2024
Habakkuk
2:2-4
"Write down the revelation
and make it plain on tablets
so that a herald may run with it.
3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
it speaks of the end
and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
it will certainly come
and will not delay.
4 "See, the enemy is puffed up;
his desires are not upright --
but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness."
Habakkuk 3:1-2; 17-19
A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. . . .
2 Lord, I have heard of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.
Repeat them in our day,
in our time make them known;
in wrath remember mercy.
17 Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.
Let us end our week, with a Snapshot of Grace for the times of distress we sometimes face. Are you going through stressful and difficult season in your life? Are living in moments of desperation, fear and dread? Well, I believe these verses have something to say to us about such times.
Notice that Habakkuk’s prayer describes God dressed as a warrior, coming down from Heaven, and causing the heavens and the earth to tremble at His power. "He stood, and shook the earth; he looked, and made the nations tremble. The ancient mountains crumbled and the age-old hills collapsed, but he marches on forever. Did you rage against the sea when you rode your horses and your chariots to victory? You uncovered your bow, you called for many arrows. You split the earth with rivers; the mountains saw you and writhed." (Habakkuk 3:6-10)
In the Bible, on many occasions God is pictured and described as the ultimate warrior, establishing His authority over His creation with absolute power. Makes us think back to Psalm 29 doesn’t it “the Lord sits enthroned over the flood.” These passages, like Habakkuk 3, reveal that even the sun, moon, mountains, and rivers surrender to God’s power as He moves, like we see in todays reading, directly and promptly toward Israel’s enemies to defeat them. Habakkuk’s message is one that is to reassure God’s people that even in times of great economic distress, for example, when the crops are dead, and there is no livestock, they can rejoice in the God of their salvation. God would be their strength even when circumstances reached a point of desperation.
James 1:2-3 tells us to “ Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” Have you heard that one? It begs the question, How can we be joyful when facing trials? Certainly, we are not joyful because we are suffering; the natural human reaction to suffering is sorrow. At least that’s what I have experienced. However, I believe the lesson we learn from Habakkuk is this: joy is not found in the moment’s circumstances but in the fact that the God we trust is absolutely powerful and righteous. This confidence is what enables Bible writers to say things like “though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” BECAUSE “The Sovereign Lord is my strength”. Some time ago now, I read the following:
Are you facing something that causes feelings of despair, desperation or even hopelessness? I wonder if in moments like this we were to change our focus to think about God’s authority and ability and promise to be in the struggle with us. Moving into the conflict on our behalf. When we are in that place of overwhelming odds. What do we do? We remember what God has done and we dare to believe that what he’s done before, he will do again. With Habakkuk we say "I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known.." How would such thoughts change our perspective today?
Psalm 77:11-15
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,…”
AMEN
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