Habakkuk's Journey: Day 6

Habakkuk’s Journey: Day 6
(Habakkuk 3, Proverbs 3:5, James 4:8)

From beginning to end, Habakkuk is a learning experience for not just the reader but also the author. It’s only three chapters long but we start out by reading how Habakkuk sees sin all around him and he wants to know how God can let these things go without bringing His judgment and wrath. We then move into Habakkuk be shown by God what His judgment and wrath will look like, and how God will extract judgment. Habakkuk is moved to cry out for mercy for those he was seeking judgment for a chapter earlier. Finally, we see Habakkuk praising God for all of His great power and His creative strength. This is how every interaction with God should end. Actually, this is how they should all begin, too, but that’s a different story for a different time.

Challenge:

Read Habakkuk 3 again and pause to think about what you are reading. What are the implications of what Habakkuk is saying about God and His nature?

In verse 9 we read, “You laid bare the nakedness of your bow, swearing oaths with the arrows of your word. You split the earth with rivers.” This is similar imagery to referring to the Word of God as a sword. The difference here, though, is that God’s word reaches further. Habakkuk is saying that when God’s word goes forth it reaches its destination, no matter how far away. God’s word is like a missile. This is a similar sentiment as we find in Isaiah 55:11 when we read, “So shall my Word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void…” Both of these verses show the imagery of the Word of God traveling to find its mark. Habakkuk sees that even the midst of destruction, God deserves to be praised for His power and might, and also for His reliability.

This, truly, was a great devotional for me and I would suggest it to anyone. You are shown through the eyes of Habakkuk how God can show Himself to you, the nation, the world. We should be vigilant about our holiness, but not at the expense of falling into the trap of disdain. We should hate iniquity but go out of our way to afford the sinful the opportunity to repent from their actions. Yes, eventually God’s wrath will come down; do you want anyone that you know to have to go through that? And then remember that everyone has someone who loves them so much that they wouldn’t want them to go through that. Everyone has something to love. It’s our job to be that person who loves them when that person isn’t around.

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. (Jas 4:8 NLT)


(Day One, Day Two, Day Three, Day Four, Day Five)