Habakkuk's Journey: Day 4

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

Habakkuk’s Journey: Day 4
(Habakkuk 2, Matthew 25:24-26)

Be Vigilant
It’s important that, as we wait for the God to answer our prayers, we don’t just sit there and wait. Habakkuk not only waited on God but he also continued to be that watchman on the wall. This was his duty and he didn’t stop doing his job just because he was waiting on God’s answer. He continued on in faith, knowing that the answer would come.

Be Patient
One of the things that is hard for us to understand (or even want to acknowledge) is that patience is extremely important. Oftentimes we view being patient as sitting around and doing nothing. We’re waiting for something to happen while doing nothing. And, if you’re looking at things with our natural eyes, this is exactly what it looks like. But, if God were to open our eyes to the supernatural all around us (like He did for Elisha’s servant – 2 Kings 6) we would see that while we’re being patient and doing nothing, God is the one who is acting. While we’re busying ourselves with waiting, we’re waiting because our Heavenly Father is moving mountains so that the answer we’re waiting for will be ready in perfection. It kind of puts a new slant on being patient, doesn’t it?

I’ve always viewed being patient as an act of doing nothing. But what great act could we make than letting the Creator of heaven and earth do His thing? This is the most powerful thing that we can ‘do’. Patience is so much more than a virtue, it’s our defining act of submission, faith and power.

Be Empathetic
It is important for us to do our best to try to see the world the way God sees the world. Over the past few days I’ve talked about how we should view sin as affront to God, just as God sees it. We should be outraged by its pervasiveness and not just accept it as a part of culture. But we also should be able to pity the powerful for their greatness which was gained by their sin. Over the short term (and “short” to God can mean something totally different than it means to us) you can gain a lot of prestige and power through sinful practices, and you can revel in that power by wallowing in even more iniquity. But, in the end, you will have your ‘day in court’ with God. Whether your downfall is on this earth or above in heaven, we will all sit in front of the judgment seat of Christ. Pray that your judgment is while you live, and you take the chance to turn from your wicked ways. We all “get ours” so pity those who persecute us and pray for them earnestly.

Be Positive
Don’t get discouraged as you wait for God to answer your prayers. It’s easy for us to give lip service to the adage that God’s ways are better than our ways and His timing is better than our timing, but we need to truly believe it. If we truly trust that this is the case, we can continue our waiting in happiness, knowing that when the answer comes, God will have been moving everything around us to make us ready for the best possible outcome. Continue on with a smile on your face because your Heavenly Father is at work. Don’t move forward in fear and agitation (or, worse yet, fearful to move at all). We have our jobs which we’ve been given, try to have gained as much with what you’ve been given while you wait for your answer (Matthew 25:24-26).

Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring out your wrath and also making them drunk in order to see their nakedness! You will be sated with shame rather than glory. Drink also yourself, and expose yourself! The cup of the right hand of Yahweh will come around upon you and disgrace upon your glory.
-Habakkuk 2:15-16

Habakkuk's Journey: Day 3

Day 1
Day 2

Habakkuk’s Journey – Day 3
(Habakkuk 2)
We need to constantly remind ourselves that God’s ways are better than our ways, and if He’s withholding judgment for the time being, there’s probably a good reason. Our job is to seek out His will and discern what our next action should be.

Personal Reflection Questions

1. Focus on verse 1 for a moment and think about the importance of this verse. Explain your thoughts on this.

When we’re not sure of what it is God wants us to do, it is important that we not just listen for God’s reply but also position ourselves in a good place to see God’s response. Habakkuk says that he will station himself at the rampart to keep watch. This can be taken two ways. He is either stationing himself as a watchman on the wall in anticipation of hearing the Word of God, or he is being a watchman in anticipation of the oncoming attack from the Babylonians so that he will be ready when Yahweh’s judgment comes down. Personally, I think that both of these meaning apply hear. He will not only position himself in a place where he’ll be able to hear God’s answer but he will also be able to act as the watchman on the wall and inform his brethren of invasion.

2. How did God choose to answer Habakkuk and what does it say about how we should listen?

Habakkuk is told to wait patiently. He’s told to not grow impatient because the message is surely coming, even if the timing is not known. In verse 4 we reach a key verse which was not only Martin Luther’s life’s verse, but also, probably, the impetus of the books of Romans, Galatians and Hebrews (Paul sure liked to expound on this one). The just shall live by faith. We often overlook the beginning of this verse, though. We are to live in contrast to the prideful. We are to stand on our faith. In our society pride has become a badge of honor. In the distant past pride was one of the “7 Deadly Sins”, not that I know of any reason to separate these sins as being any more deadly than any of the others (or, frankly, I’m not sure that any on the list are actual sins, when you use 1 John 3:4 as your definition of “sin” is), but the takeaway is that pride was considered to be a bad thing. Today pride is looked upon as a good thing. We’re to take pride in our work. We’re to take pride in our family. We even currently have a community (based upon a sin) that embraces the word “pride” as their definition. As I’m writing this in June, we are in “Pride Month”. As Christians, we need to step away from this mindset of pride being a good thing and embrace our faith in Jesus Christ so that we can be found righteous when God sends His word to us. It is our faith which will keep us ready to listen.

3. Why do you think God used the word “woe” while speaking to Habakkuk instead of another word such as “cursed”?

The word used here (הוֹי– “hoy” H1945) implies waiting. Where just saying “cursed” could have the same general meaning, saying “woe” implies delayed judgment. Throughout this entire passage God was telling Habakkuk that the judgment was coming, even if it was tarrying. So by using this word He was just reiterating that Habakkuk should wait for it.

4. How can we take this into our daily lives?

While God’s timing is perfect, we are not. When we’re waiting for an answer from God (hopefully we’re not waiting for judgment) on whatever it is we’re anticipating, we need to remind ourselves that God is going to provide the answer when it is going to be best for us and for His plans. But, we should also be seeking to position ourselves to be in the right place to hear God’s response. And, quite probably, it will be us putting ourselves in the right position which will trigger the response anyway.

Habakkuk's Journey: Day 2

Day 1

Habakkuk’s Journey – Day 2
(Habakkuk 1, Genesis 50:20)
There are multiple ways to look at any one thing. Not all of them have to be one or the other. In any given situation we need to ask ourselves, what does God want me to take from this.

Challenge:
Read Habakkuk one more time and try to see the message a hope for things to come.

Iniquity may rage on around us but every day that God delays judgment is another day that we can try to pull as many people out of that iniquity. We need to take every opportunity we’re given. A day that we put off trying to save our brothers and sisters from the iniquity is tantamount to a day that we’re asking God to punish them. Do they deserve it? Yes. But so do we. We all deserve it. God has shown us grace by sending His Son, and the grace given to me is not greater than the grace allotted for them. There is no end to grace. There’s no bucket full of grace and when the bucket is empty then the grace is over. Grace is infinite just as the Father is.

This doesn’t mean that we don’t anger the Father. And this doesn’t mean that we can’t provoke judgment and tribulation. This doesn’t even mean that people don’t take advantage of grace, and use it as an excuse to sin. I would even argue that it’s possible that those who act in such a way never knew Jesus to begin with. But there is no bucket of grace, existing in wait for the last drop to be doled out.

So we live on, day by day, anticipating judgment but thankful for its delay. Don’t waste the days we’re given. Follow the example of Messiah, living a life free from sin, not afraid to speak in love to our brothers and sisters who embrace iniquity. Let them know the road they’re traveling down, but don’t push them away by their words. Some will hate you for it. Jesus said, in Matthew 10:22-23, “and you will be hated by all for My Name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another…”

It is the love that Jesus modeled for us that drives us on, looking past the sin and finding the person. And then loving that person and calling them to repent and turn from their sin. That’s the love that Jesus modeled.

As for you, you planned evil against me but God planned it for good, in order to do this – to keep many people alive – as it is today.
-Genesis 50:20

Habakkuk's Journey: Day 1

I started doing a new devotional plan on the Bible app and while I normally post the recap each week, the recap for the first day became much longer than a normal day that I've had recently. So I decided to just post this one daily. I don't know what's going to come tomorrow but today I got a LOT out of it. If tomorrow isn't quite as big then maybe I'll add a couple of days together. In any case, here's day one...

Habakkuk’s Journey: Day One
(Habakkuk 1)
It’s so easy for us to challenge someone else when we feel that they’re wrong in what they’re presenting us, but do we automatically get defensive when we’re challenged? Why do we think that the person across from us who’s challenging us is doing it for a different reason that we would challenge them for? Aren’t they doing it, also, because they feel that we’re wrong? And what about when God challenges us? There’s no chance that we’re right and God’s wrong, but how quick are we to get defensive when God challenges us, and how quick are we to challenge even God?

Personal Reflection Questions

1. What theme stood out the most when you read Habakkuk 1?

The theme seemed to be delayed judgment. Habakkuk was crying out, wondering how long Yahweh would wait before He judged the lawlessness and perversion.

      2. Why do you think this book made it into Canon? What do you think God’s purpose for this chapter is?

I see this book as speaking to holiness. Maybe this isn’t the main point but, to me, how great would it be to be so offended by the lawlessness around you that you cry out to God, wondering when He’ll send His judgment? God is truly Holy, and He can’t stand even thought of lawlessness; so what would it be like to have the roles reversed and be the one crying out to the Father because of the iniquity all around. That’s a great place to be because then you can learn something new. You can learn to start looking at things from His perspective, and think like God, and see His plans come to fruition.

3. What was the concern during the time of this writing?

When Habakkuk was writing the people around him were in rebellion to God, and their lawless deeds were obvious. But, in the distance, there was also the concern of invasion. Ninevah, the capital of Assyria, had just fallen to the Babylonians and there was the very real threat that Jerusalem could be besieged any day. So to Habakkuk, who had been shown the iniquity of the people, the question of how long would God put off judgment was very relevant, and very concerning.

4. How does it translate to where we are now?

I don’t have the enthusiasm of Habakkuk, but I’m learning it. We live in a time where lawlessness is all around us. We call ourselves God’s people but we promote sin at every turn. In the name of “love” we accept what the Bible tells us to separate ourselves from. While it is admirable to go into the den of sin to save the sinners from their final judgment, that is not an excuse to join them in their sin. We are to be an example to them; a shining light; a city on a hill. And yet, we embrace sin in our houses of worship in the name of making people feel loved. I don’t want to come off like a street preacher, yelling at everyone, telling them that they’re sinners and they’re going to hell but it’s something close to that. Shouldn’t we, in love, show people their sin so that they are able to turn from their wicked ways? Shouldn’t we be as offended by iniquity as God is? He came to us, in our lawlessness, and preached righteousness, in love. He lived among us and loved us, but He never sinned. He never embraced iniquity in order to make us feel better about our iniquity. When the woman caught in adultery was about to be stoned to death, he asked who her accusers were and said “he who is without sin cast the first stone.” But when her accusers had gone away He also told the woman to go and sin no more. He didn’t tell her that what she did was alright. He showed her acceptance, but He didn’t show acceptance of her behavior.

How long, O Lord, will you put up with us for putting up with iniquity in the Body of your Son? We can see the oncoming persecution all around us; when will You release it? When will You stop holding it off?
 

   Therefore the law is paralyzed, and the justice does not go forth perpetually. For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore justice goes forth perverted.

-Habakkuk 1:4

Devotional Rewind Week Ending 6/25/16

Lifehacks: Practical Tips For Godly Habits

Sunday 6/19/16
(Habakkuk 1:2, 1 Peter 1:6-7)
We should always be sure to not let our inferred distance from God be a reason to stop reaching out to Him. He hears us. He’s working to bring joy to our lives. We just may need to have the proper understanding of what joy is before God’s able to give it to us.
so that the genuineness of your faith, more valuable than gold that is passing away, but is tested b fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
-1 Peter 1:7

Monday 6/20/16
(Ecclesiastes 7:23-24, Proverbs 9:10, Psalms 19:7)
There are 4 Biblical instructions for obtaining wisdom: Fear God (Proverbs 9:10), Desire wisdom (Proverbs 2:4), Pray for wisdom (James 1:5), Study God’s Word (Psalm 19:7). If we follow these four guidelines, we will live a happy and healthy life.
The law of Yahweh is perfect, reviving life. The testimony of Yahweh is firm, making wise the simple.
-Psalm 19:7

Tuesday 6/21/16
(Psalms 121:4, Psalms 3:5)
Sleep is an important part of our spiritual lives. Without the right amount of sleep we can’t function properly, and we’re just not quite with it. But I have to wonder what it was like when Adam or Eve was falling asleep for the first time. Did they even sleep before the fall? What must they have thought when they were losing energy and they were so tired that they couldn’t keep their eyes open? Would they have thought something was terribly wrong? These are the things I think about.
I lay down and slept; I awoke because Yahweh sustains me.
-Psalm 3:5

Wednesday 6/22/16
(Psalms 40:1-3, Matthew 15:7-8)
Don’t just “fake it til you make it”, get introspective and consider why your heart isn’t in worshipping God. God doesn’t want fake praise. When you’re not worshipping authentically, choose a new tact. You can fast if you’re feeling sorrowful, you can repent of confessed sin, or you can just remain quiet and WAIT on Yahweh. Worship comes in many shapes and sizes.
This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far, far away from me”
-Matthew 15:8

Thursday 6/23/16
(2 Peter 3:18, Titus 3:5)
Our charge is to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but if grace is God’s gift, how do you grow in it? We need to recognize that it takes effort to begin with and go out of our way each day to do something to increase our righteousness. We need to rely on the Holy Spirit when we’re doing those righteous things, because it is only by Him that we’ll be able to accomplish righteousness. We should read the Bible everyday with the intent of benefitting our spirit, and not reading the Bible to try to know more than someone else. This is how you grow in grace.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
-2 Peter 3:18

Friday 6/24/16
(1 Timothy 4:13, 2 Timothy 3:16)
Reading the Bible aloud helps us remember what it is we’re reading, and it also forces us to slow down our reading so that we can take it in better. How often do we actually take the time to read the Bible aloud? Shouldn’t we be doing this more often?
Until I come, pay attention to the public reading, to exhortation, to teaching.
-1 Timothy 4:13

Saturday 6/25/16
(2 Chronicles 7:14, Galatians 5:13)
Pride and self-doubt are 2 sides of the same coin. Both end up making us out to be more important than God. If we have pride, we believe that we don’t need God to accomplish something. If we have self-doubt, we are also not believing in the help that God gives.
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13

Devotional Rewind for week ending 6/18/16

This past week I went through 2 different devotionals on the Bible app. Some days were good and some days were not-so-good. Frankly, I struggled this week with keeping up with my devotions. But I pushed on and here are the results!

God Guides You

Sunday 6/12/16
(2 Timothy 3:16, Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 2:6-9)
How can we even attempt to live a set apart life if we’re not aligning ourselves with God’s word? And, if we are aligning ourselves with God’s word, how can we think we’re doing that if we aren’t reading God’s word?
For Yahweh will give wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
-Proverbs 2:6

Monday 6/13/16
(Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 2:13-15, Matthew 2:19-23)
Don’t get caught up thinking that because a different believer went about life in a certain way that this is the way that you need to get there, too. God has plans for all of us, and not all of us follow the same paths to get to the same places. The only thing that you can be sure of is that God will not call you to sin in order to get to holiness. He may lead you through sinners, but He won’t call you to sin.
And he came and lived in a town called Nazareth, in order that what was said by the prophets would be fulfilled: “He will be called a Nazarene.”
-Matthew 2:23

Tuesday 6/14/16
(Psalms 119:105, John 16:13-14, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Psalms 32:8, Hebrews 11:6)
When you don’t know which we to turn, don’t just guess. Read the Bible, listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and, if you still don’t know, wait until you get an answer. There’s no sense in pushing ahead when you don’t know if that’s the right way anyway.
You Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
-Psalm 119:105

Wednesday 6/15/16
(Isaiah 43:17, Romans 8:28, John 10:10, Isaiah 58:11, 1 Peter 4:12-13)
Bad stuff happens, all the time. This life isn’t full of rose petals and sugary spices. But when the hard times come, how well are you going to be anchored? Regardless of whether we notice it or not, God is with us every step of the way. Our task is to make sure that we are with Him every step of the way.
And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose.
-Romans 8:28

Unraveling the Scriptures for Leadership Effectiveness

Thursday 6/16/16
(1 Timothy 3:16-17)
Well, this is the third time this verse has shown up in the past week. Maybe God is trying to tell me something? Maybe not so weirdly, I’ve actually been struggling to get my devotions done this week. And what verse shows up? When that tells me that I should be in the Bible more. Ok, I get it, God… ;-)
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, in order that the person of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
-1 Timothy 3:16-17

Friday 6/17/16
(Deuteronomy 17:18-20)
The kings of Israel used to have to handwrite their own copy of the Torah, and then read it daily, so that they developed knowledge of the Word and a fear of Yahweh. How different would our leadership be if we were so focused on leading in a Godly way that we wrote our own copy of the Bible? Thankfully we have the Holy Spirit so the Word of Yahweh can be written on our hearts as well as on paper. But how often do we read the Bible so that we’re able to have the Holy Spirit bring it to our recollection? Do we have the Word of God written on our hearts?
And then when he is sitting on the throne of his kingdom, then he shall write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll before the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to revere Yahweh your God by diligently observing all the word of this law and these rules
-Deuteronomy 17:18-19

Saturday 6/18/16
(Joshua 1:8)
In today’s culture such emphasis is put on continual learning for success, and this is for good reason, but we often don’t think about life in this way, and the continual learning is reading the Bible. We know that, at work, we are constantly learning and evolving in order to succeed so why should it be any different for life in general? Let us study the Scriptures daily to show ourselves approved. And in doing so we will learn to be able to righty divide truth from lies (2 Timothy 2:15). And we will be able to learn to live life in a more successful way. And we will be able to lead those who we have authority over in a way which will be more pleasing to God.
The scroll of this law will not depart from your mouth; you will meditate on it day and night so that you may observe diligently all that is written in it. For then you will succeed in your ways and prosper.
-Joshua 1:8

Devotional Rewind for Week Ending 6/11/16

The Power of a Simple Prayer

Monday 6/6/16
(Revelation 3:20, Matthew 6:5-8, Luke 18:10-14)
I often struggle with my prayer life. It’s one of those things that I’ve talked about before, but it’s difficult to keep up with, for some reason. In today’s devotional it was brought up that we’re not alone in needing help with prayer. Even the disciple asked Jesus how to pray, and when they asked there weren’t any of the other disciples who derided them for asking. It all starts with a simple prayer.
“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than that one! For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
-Luke 18:14

Tuesday 6/7/16
(Psalm 68:5-6, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Galatians 4:6)
I’ve often worried if I was prayer correctly. It’s almost as if society has turned prayer into an incantation. If we say these specific words in this specific way then the desired result will come about. You have to address God first, then you have praise Him, then you… well, you get the point. But it’s not a spell, is it? Today’s devotional had a line that I really liked: “Just as a happy child cannot mis-hug, the sincere heart cannot mis-pray.” And I think that’s it, if your heart is right in your prayer, you’re doing it right.
And because you are sons, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba!”
-Galatians 4:6

Wednesday 6/8/16
(Isaiah 1:18, Isaiah 55:7, 1 Peter 1:18-19)
When we pray, we need to make sure we’re not just asking for stuff. Are we bringing our sins to the Father and repenting and asking forgiveness?
“Come now, and let us argue,” says Yawheh. “Even though your sins are like scarlet, they will be white like snow; even though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

Thursday 6/9/16
(1 Thessalonians 5:18, Luke 10:21, 1 Chronicles 16:8-9)
How often do we take for granted the blessings of God? Take a step back and give thanks to Yahweh. Every minute of every day, every breath, there is something to be thankful for. And the more we’re thankful the more we appreciate what we have. And that will make us a happier person in general.
Give thanks to Yahweh; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the nations!
1 Chronicles 16:8

Friday 6/10/16
(John 1:14, Colossians 1:15-19, John 16:23)
When praying, always remember the name of Jesus. He has won so many victories for us, it’d be kind of pointless if we didn’t bring up His name when battling the powers we’re waging war against. It is through Jesus that we’re able to approach the throne of God; this is just another reason to be thankful.
And on that day you will ask me nothing. Truly, truly I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.
-John 16:23

Saturday 6/11/16
(Isaiah 28:10, Hebrews 5:12, 1 Corinthians 3:1, Hebrews 6:1)
I haven’t picked a new devotional yet so I decided to go with one that’s delivered to my email every day (Days of Praise)
 A good portion of what this daily walk is, this walk with Christ, is allowing ourselves to be humbled and reproached. If we think to highly of ourselves, for our own sake, how will we ever expect to better ourselves? You can’t become better if you already think you’re the best…
For indeed, although you ought to be teachers by this time, you have need of someone to teach  you again the beginning of elements of the oracles of God, and you have need of milk, not solid food.
-Hebrews 5:12

Devotional Rewind for Week Ending 6/4/16

On Sunday and Monday I finished up the "Our Daily Bread" devotional plan. I really enjoyed this plan and I would recommend it, if you're looking for a devotional plan.

Sunday 5/29/16
(Genesis 27:19-33)
Why do we hide our faults. I mean, I know the answer but as a Christian shouldn’t we be more concerned with owning up to our faults and repenting of them, and trying to be more like Jesus? That being said, I still hate owning up to my faults to those around me. It’s pride. But the only thing we should be boastful of is the death and resurrection of Yeshua, our Messiah (Gal 6:14)
Then Isaac trembled violently. Then he said, “who then was he that hunted wild game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I blessed him? Moreover, he will be blessed.
-Genesis 27:33

Monday 5/30/2016
(1 Timothy 6:6-16)
We often strive for more and more, and feel like we don’t have enough when we look at our neighbors and see the ‘stuff’ that they have. The truth is that those neighbors are usually, also, looking at you and thinking the same thing. One of the keys to happiness is to learn to be grateful for what we already have. When we can do that, we are moving in the right direction.
But you, O man of God flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith,, love, patient endurance, gentleness.
-1 Timothy 6:11

Tuesday and Wednesday
The Our Daily Bread plan was over and I hadn’t found a new plan yet so the only devotional I did over these two days was my Bible in One Year plan. I didn’t take any notes for these days, though.

Be Transformed To Transform
Thank goodness I have still had my one year plan to go through. And thank God that this was only a 3 day plan. I don’t want to complain about a free devotional but this was the most disjointed, poorly put together plan I’ve encountered. I wouldn’t recommend this one if you’re looking for a plan on the Bible app.

Thursday 6/2/16
(1 Corinthians 1:1-3)
Paul, though he thought he was on God’s mission, was in severe rebellion to God when He was persecuting the church. What areas of your life are like this? Do you have any areas where you’re certain that you’re doing Yahweh’s work? Search yourself and ask the Holy Spirit about it. Be willing to hear correction. Maybe we are doing Yah’s work, but we need to be sure we are, especially if what we’re doing is marginalizing anyone.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
-1 Corinthians 1:3