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)

Habakkuk's Journey: Day 5

Habakkuk’s Journey: Day 5
(Habakkuk 3, 2 Peter 3:9)

God is love. God is also holy, though, and can’t stand sin. We have a different view of God today than someone would’ve had 3,000 years ago. Today we view God as the God who sent His only begotten son to earth to become a man so that He could be the sacrifice for our sins. His love for us is so deep that we have trouble even comprehending it. Because of that immense love we often forget that God is also still the God that we read about in the “Old Testament”. He’s not different – He hasn’t changed – He’s just done something which made us understand how much He really loved us, and we have trouble seeing past it, sometimes. All through the Bible (Old and New Testaments) we read that we are called to not sin, the biggest difference now is that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we have the ability to live that sin-free life (2 Thes 2:13.)

Personal Reflection Questions:

1. What is the overarching theme of this chapter?

Unlike the previous chapters, this one is a prayer for God to be merciful, and a remembrance of how God has been merciful in the past. We see descriptions of God’s great works and His saving grace. In the beginning of the book Habakkuk was calling for judgment on the nation but when God delivered His answer, and Habakkuk was shown the judgment to come, he started asking for mercy, and for the judgment of Israel’s captors. This shouldn’t be seen as being wishy-washy; Habakkuk was shown the judgment, realized God’s hatred of iniquity, and cried for mercy because of its extremity.

2. What is the significance of “selah” and how should we respond to it?

A ”selah” was used as a pause in the music. In this instance it can be a pause of reflection of all that came before and a time to get ready for all that is about to come. Likewise, we should take time to reflect on our attitude toward all that is going on around us. There is so much chaos in the world that it’s easy to cry out to the Father for judgment. When we get wrapped up in thinking like that it’s good to “selah” and remember the love God showed us when He sent his Son. In fact in verse 13 of this chapter we read of a remembrance when God went forth for His people. And then it says “For salvation with Your anointed.” The name “Jesus” (Yeshua) means salvation and the word “Christ” (Meshiach) means anointed. Habakkuk is not only calling back to a time when God went forth before His people (probably when leading them out of Egypt) but he was also looking forward to a time when God would Anoint His Yeshua to save His people. So we should always remember that while God is holy and can’t stand unholiness, He has already sent salvation to us and we should do our best to call have mercy in mind toward those around us so that they can find His salvation.

3. Thinking back to the overarching theme: What is Habakkuk trying to communicate to the reader?

Habakkuk begs us to strive for holiness in our lives but to also forgive those who are not holy, just as we would want God to forgive us if we were the offenders.

4. How do we take this into our present world and apply it to our daily lives?

There is so much sin and immorality all around us and it’s easy to condemn everyone and everything, but God does not want that any should perish. When the world around you gets all broken, don’t forget that the person in front of you needs salvation just like you did/do. We don’t need to ask for their judgment. If they continue in the way they’re going then it will surely come. But God is longsuffering so that all can come to repentance, and find their Yeshua.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2Pe 3:9 ESV)

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

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