THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014
Habakkuk 1:1–3:19
Revelation 9:1–21
Psalm 137:1–9
Proverbs 30:10
Habakkuk wrestles with God in the first two chapters of his prophecy through dialogue, echoing Jonah’s struggle that played out in narrative form. While Habakkuk views the coming Babylonian forces as almost unjust, he ultimately comes to a clarion confession of faith in the third chapter.
Commentators argue that Habakkuk spoke on behalf of the godly remnant in Judah. He grew perplexed at God’s insertion of the Babylonians as the means of executing judgment on the people of Judah, who were “more righteous” than the “ruthless” Babylonians (1:6,13). How could God, who is “too pure to look on evil” promote such an outcome? (1:13)
God then communicates to Habakkuk that these Babylonian destroyers will meet their own destruction. The book balances on Habakkuk’s consideration of God’s sovereign guide over history and the prophet’s development of a spirit of faith and worship. In the end, he learns that “the righteous will live by his faith” (2:4) and that God’s glory will overtake the earth:
“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,
as the waters cover the sea.” (2:14)
Having studied and appreciated God’s once-perplexing plan, Habbakuk turns in Chapter 3 towards a corporate and personal request for God’s faithful presence and a declaration of trust in the midst of challenging circumstances. These words speak effortlessly to God’s servants throughout time and provide a model of humbly rooting ourselves in God’s sovereign care during times of uncertainty.
First, please consider 3:2:
“Lord, I heard of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord.
Renew them in our day,
in our time make them known
in wrath remember mercy.”
This section of Habakkuk’s prayer highlights the worshipper’s keen desire to understand God’s great works to His people in the past and to see His goodness today. This movement from the historical and corporate to the present and personal speaks to the desire to become more aware of God’s character and presence. By His grace, God draws those who sincerely desire Him and rewards them for their seeking faith.
Habakkuk then continues to recount God’s protection and deliverance of His people from Egypt and other Old Testament enemies. In the last several verses, he turns towards reflection on these present trying conditions. Spurred by memory of faithfulness in times past and a real Presence in His own day, Habakkuk’s concluding verses provide a universally applicable discussion of choosing a victorious path:
“I heard and my heart pounded,
my lips quivered at the sound;
decay crept into my bones,
and my legs trembled.
Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity
to come on the nation invading us.
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.
“The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.” (3:16–19)
Crucially, in spite of circumstantial evidence to the contrary, Habakkuk chooses joy. This turn highlights our will as our contribution to finding joy. This joy emerges from Habakkuk’s connection with God and consideration of His salvation. Since God does not change and remains ever-faithful and –loving, we may continually experience this type of joy. This joy and reflection on God Himself brings strength to Habakkuk, which allows him to tread the road less traveled and to take to the heights in God’s service.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have reflected quite a bit on the lie that the world gives: Success and achievement or “good circumstances” will bring us joy. For a perfectionist, the reality of life means that joy will never be fully complete because the actual never meet idealized expectations. Instead, God calls us to give our best efforts for Him, trusting Him for His provision and for grace and strength to proceed with joy, in spite of the circumstances. How I need to re-learn this lesson every day!
Lord God, thank You for inspiring Habakkuk’s song and for giving us this insight on living joyfully. Lift our eyes above our problems to Your amazing and steadfast character. Strengthen our feet to preserve in spite of the rocky road. Help us to understand Your grace and provision for today. In Jesus’s Name, amen.
________________________________________
1) Blog: http://bit.ly/rV1Cw1
2) Facebook: http://on.fb.me/tc6jkS
No comments:
Post a Comment