Living by faith

    The prophet Habakkuk is much more than a prophet with a funny sounding name. (When my children were learning the books of the Bible, their AWANA teacher told them to remember “have a coke” to help them remember this name!) He prophesied during the last days of the kingdom of Judah before they were carried off into the Babylonian captivity and, as we know, the Jews did not listen to him. Although he repeatedly called them to repentance, the nation stubbornly refused to change its sinful ways.  He was desolate and in despair when he wrote his book.

    He cries out to God, and maybe like you, he cannot understand why evil abounds everywhere. “O LORD, how long shall I cry, And you will not hear? Even cry out to You, Violence! And You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity, And cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; There is strife, and contention arises.” (Hab. 1:2-3)

     God answers him by telling him that it is the Chaldeans (Babylonians) who will be the ones to punish Judah. “Look among the nations and watch—Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days Which you would not believe, though it were told you. For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans, A bitter and hasty nation Which marches through the breadth of the earth To possess dwelling places that are not their own.” (Hab. 1:5-6)

    Then Habakkuk poses a second question.  “Are You not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O LORD, You have appointed them for judgment; O Rock, You have marked them for correction.” (Hab. 1:12)

    Then later he says one of the most moving statements of faith in the Bible. “I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected.” (Hab. 2:1) Habakkuk says that he will take his place like a sentry on his guard post and he will wait on the Lord to come and answer his petition in His time. He even admits that he knows the Lord will correct him for his wrong thinking but he is ready even for that.

    When God does answer He gives a powerful answer for Habakkuk, and for us living in an evil and sinful world today full of challenges, troubles, and trials. “But the just shall live by his faith.” (Hab. 2:4b) Read all of Habakkuk chapters 1 and 2.

    

    Are you taking time to cry out to God those things that are affecting your life today? Are you praying for godly men and women to take leadership roles in government, business, and education? Are you praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are going through  difficult times with their marriage, their children, their jobs, their health? Are you putting your faith in God to solve your problems or are you trying to fix them yourself? “The just shall live by his faith.” (Hab. 2:4b)

Pray that:

1.     God will make us better prayer warriors who are available at any time night or day to pray for those in need and distress all around us.

2.     We will take time today to pray for our spiritual leaders and governmental leaders.

3.     We will live this day full of faith in our God, that He will accomplish His purposes as we cry out to Him for revival in our hearts and in the hearts of those around us.

4.     God will soften the hearts of those who are going to hear God’s word proclaimed with power and authority in our church this Sunday.