My Prayer (08/30/17)

Read Habakkuk 3:17-18.

Lord, I can rejoice, even when circumstances taunt me that there is no reason.  My joy doesn't depend on circumstances or in understanding why some of my prayers aren't answered (at least not the way I thought they should be).  My joy is linked to my worshipful confession about You. Thank you, Joy-Giver!

Habakkuk 2:6-8

Read Habakkuk 2:6-8.

Bloodshed is a massive debt that will suddenly demand full payment.  The time of living on mercy credit will be over.

Weekly Inspiration (11/19/16)

Riverfront Park   Kittanning, PA   November 4, 2016   12:34 P.M.

I chose this shot because of its contrasts:  highlight and shadow, bright red and normal yellow, leaves intact and leaves fallen, leaves turned color and leaves still to change.

I've been a slow learner in life, yet I'm sure about this: life is full of contrasts.  Experiences which are high, bright and colorful we savor thoroughly.  Might we need help to realize the benefit of experiences we label as low, dull or ordinary?  One side makes the other valuable.  Without "ordinary" we have little context for "stunning."  Without "dark" we have little appreciation for "radiant."  Without "low" we have little gratitude for "success."

What do you do in circumstances that easily accentuate the "negative"? Divert your attention from the barren-branch difficulties, even for a few minutes. Yes, it's a discipline.  Now talk to God. Where to begin?  I suggest reading aloud Habakkuk 3:17-19; Lamentations 3:21-25 and Philippians 4:6-8. God hears you when you vocalize His Word and it is good for you to hear yourself speak truth.

The Proper Response to Adversity (Hab 3:16-19)

Habakkuk heard the report about God (Hab 3:1).

1. Tremble (Hab 3:16). Read Isaiah 66:2. Habakkuk was so overwhelmed by what he heard (Hab 3:3-15) that his teeth chattered. All strength seemed sucked out of him.
2. Wait (Hab 3:16). This was bittersweet waiting. Eventually God would come and fulfill the word. That meant deliverance for Israel but disaster for Babylon. During the wait, pray.
3. Trust (Hab 3:17-19). Even if you're starving to death because things are so bad (3:17), you can maintain confidence in God (3:18-19). You can praise Him. This is a mindset and a choice.

God Unleashed (Hab 3:8-15)

God is love. No question. Equally, God is just. No question. We hear about God's love today. Rarely do we hear (or want to hear?) about His justice. He must and He will respond to sin. Where there is sin there are sinners (those who habitually act contrary to God's prescribed standard and purpose; those who have rejected Jesus and His offer of forgiveness).

1. Look at the verbs: "cleave" (split), "march," "trample," "strike" (smash), "pierce," "tread on."
2. Look at the nouns: "anger," "wrath," "chastisement," "indignation" (avenging wrath).
3. Look at the result: God's wrath upon His enemies brings deliverance for His people.
4. Look at the hope: Jesus "smashed the head (Satan - Gen 3:15) of the house of evil" (Hab 3:13) "to lay him open from thigh to neck" (to deprive him of his weapons: sin, death and condemnation). Jesus used Satan's own weapons against him, conquering each one. Read Romans 5:12-21. You don't have to experience the wrath of God! (1 Thess 5:9).

The Coming of the Lord (Hab 3:3-7)

"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord." These words could've been penned by Habakkuk.

1. The Lord is coming!
2. He is coming in glory. "Glory" is splendor, fullness (Jn 1:14), holiness, justice.
3. His glory wil be manifested but restrained, hidden (Hab 3:4; Ex 33:18-33).
4. The result of His glory will affect all of creation, especially His enemies.

The Impact of Testimony (Hab 3:1-2)

God spoke, Habakkuk listened and then he wrote. Testimony must be transmitted and continued.

1. Testimony is information. Testimony says, "This is what God did. Here is His record."
2. Testimony is inspiration. Testimony says, "I'm amazed, awed and overwhelmed when I consider His record. What a great God!"
3. Testimony is instigation. Testimony says, "Since there is sufficient evidence to show a pattern, why wouldn't God do it again?" Testimony stirs faith expectation in you and others.

Silence (Hab 2:20)

This is either the third verse of the fifth woe (parallelism: 5 woes, 3 verses each) or it is the conclusion to Habakkuk 2:6-19.

1. The possibility of silence. We live in a loud, distracting, harrassed world. God says, "Be silent." There is a time for rejoicing (Psa 97:1; Hab 3:18), a time for trembling (Psa 99:1; Hab 3:16) and a time for silence (Eccl 3:7b; Rev 8:1). Silence is possible, since it is commanded.
2. The provocation of silence. Why should you be silent? "The Lord" -- the Creator, Covenant-Keeper, Sustainer -- "is in His holy temple." He is real, He is alive, He is holy. He is at home -- in heaven and in your heart (1 Cor 3:16; 6:19; Col 1:27). Unlike the dead and dumb idols, God lives and speaks (Gen 1:1-3; Heb 1:1-2; Psa 29:3-9).
3. The power of silence. It is a high, appropriate form of worship. Silence is a source of strength and renewal (Isa 30:15).

The Fifth Woe (Hab 2:18-19)

This last woe is Habakkuk's commentary against idolatry.

1. Definition of an "idol." An idol is any image, structure, entertainment, thought system or person (other than God) that you trust in to teach, guide or comfort you. Examples: food, sports, sex, good works, politics, etc.
2. Determination of an idol. How do you know if something or someone has become an idol? Idols consume your valuables. Your most valuable assets are time, attention, energy, money, family and spirit. God is no longer priority one.
3. Deception of an idol. Idols claim to live, but they're dead. They promise life and fulness, but result in decay and emptiness. Underneath the glitter and flash are disappointment and the ordinary. (After all, every idol is man-made.) See also Hab 1:16.
4. Destruction of an idol. Admit that such-and-such has become an idol. Ask God's forgiveness. Change: take down the statue and smash the image. Now give God the time, attention, energy and money you once gave the idol.

The Fourth Woe (Hab 2:15-17)

1. The violations of the offender. There were two offences. First, immorality. The offenders got people drunk so they could gaze on their nakedness. What made this possible? They served poisoned wine. The poison consisted of ulterior motives behind the seemingly harmless hospitality -- anger, selfishness, deception and insincerity. Second, abuse of God's creation for selfish gain. Their mindset was to pursue and master anyone or anything they wanted simply because they wanted it.
2. The vindication of the offended. What went around came around. The offenders received the same treatment they had given to others. This wine they drank was mixed with God's anger. The offenders were exposed as being unbelievers and God's enemies. They awakened in their own vomit as objects of ridicule among the nations.
3. The validity for the reader. Immorality is all around you. In every media outlet, immorality is pushed as normal and acceptable. Don't be fooled! Immorality is not hospitable! It lures with its strong appeal to pleasure, but the full poison isn't recognized until it's too late. When you're done with immorality (or it's done with you), you won't enjoy the bitter, embarrassing consequences. Don't make the world your friend. Avoid getting sucked into its advertising traps. You'll end up with more than you expected.

The Third Woe (Hab 2:12-14)

1. The violations of the offender. There were two offences. First, many conquered people died providing the money and labor necessary to build the walls and other structures of Babylon. Second, iniquity and perversity prevailed. These two offences were consistent, habitual practices. To sum up: violence and crime.
2. The vindication of the offended. All the construction and fortification would be a waste of time, effort and personnel. Babylon would fall. The walls wouldn't offer such great protection after all.
3. The validity for the reader. What are you "building" and why are you building it? What's the price for your achievement? While you're getting ahead are others getting beheaded? On whose backs has your success come? How do you treat people? What is your work made of and will it last? (1 Cor 3:11-15). There is no wall (attempt to keep God out) man can build that is so thick and so high God can't smash it. "Babylon" will fall (Rev 18:1-24).

The Second Woe (Hab 2:9-11)

1. The violations of the offender. There were three violations. First, he "cut an evil cut." He sliced things for maximum personal advantage. Today we would call it either cheating or spinning. It's the love of illegal gain. One person wins at someone else's expense. Read Prov 1:19; Jer 6:13; 8:10. Second, he "set his nest on high." That smacks of ambition. Selfish ambition. The goal was to have a protected, fail-proof dynasty. What's that but a fascination with self-preservation? Third, he cut off people (and I don't mean in traffic). This ruler deported entire people groups and forced them to resettle in a strange country. He had no sympathy. If everyone else were upset and disrupted, he could remain on top. Not a way to make friends!
2. The vindication of the offended. Poetic verse 11 describes a musical whirlwind. As the wind weakened the owner's house, the rafters and foundation sang to each other. Then came the collapse. The oppressor had been overthrown.
3. The validity for the reader. Self wants to rule (If it doesn't, how do you explain Rom 7:13-25?). Self is opposed to the spirit (Gal 5:16-17). Anything produced by self corrupts and divides (Jam 3:14-16). We're told not to "look out for number one" but look out for other people's interests (Phil 2:3-4). Jesus taught us to deny ourselves (Mt 16:24).

The First Woe (Hab 2:6-8)

The word "woe" is a statement spoken to a violator. A "woe" contains both anger and sorrow.

1. The violation of the offender. These aggressive acts were habitual, not occasional. Did you catch the "me first" mentality? Today, it would sound like this: "Do whatever you have to do to get on top and stay on top."
2. The vindication of the offended. This is an illustration of "what goes around comes around." See Luke 6:37-38; Mt 7:12. God allowed the oppressed to exact heavy interest on the offence. He allowed the offended to return similar behavior to the offender. (Historically, this happened 562 B.C. when the Persians overcame Babylon.)
3. The validation for the reader. What does this mean for you? How you treat people is important. You can't hide aggressive behavior forever. If no man stops you, God eventually will. Getting and staying ahead isn't worth it. You'd probably have to railroad people. Instead, use your talents and resources to build up people.

Instructions for Waiting (Hab 2:2-5)

This is an active and productive waiting. It is more than elapsed time.

1. Expect God to speak. Verse 2 begins, "The Lord answered...." Keep on waiting until He does speak.
2. Be ready to write, not just listen. Unless you write down what God says, you'll have limited record of His faithfulness to you. How much from God escapes you simply because you try to carry everything in memory? Memory could fail but a journal will not.
3. Understand the timing of what God says. What He says to you might be for tomorrow. The right word implemented in the wrong time can be misleading at best and disaster at worst.
4. While waiting for fulfillment, watch your character (vv. 4-5). Faith in God's Word plus faithfulness in behavior is a great recipe. The alternative is to be driven, self-made, arrogant and compromising (not too attractive, huh?).

Anticipating God's Response (Hab 2:1)

This post assumes you want to hear from God. Here are three "I will" affirmations that will get you ready to hear.

1. I will stand. The guard or sentry is alert, awake and intentional. There is nothing accidental about hearing God's voice.
2. I will station myself. The lookout scans the horizon for activity. Look for the distractions and remove them. Faith says the answer is coming. You don't want to miss it due to negligence, doubt or unpreparedness.
3. I will see. Watch for two things: (1) what God will say and (2) how you should respond. Having God speak to you is one thing. Positioning yourself in a state of acceptance, agreement and obedience is another. Should God not answer according to your desires, will you still get on board with His response? Prayer prepares you to hear and act.

Clash of the Titans (Hab 1:12-17)

In Greek mythology the children of Uranus and Gaea were giants who sought to rule heaven. They were overthrown by Zeus and his family. "Titans" are people or things of colossal stature.

1. The two titans are theology and observation (experience).
2. Theology and observation don't always agree. There will be things that don't line up. At times theology (what you believe) and observation (what you see and experience) will seem contradictory. Which should you believe?
3. Either theology or observation must be number one. They can't both be number one. Most people can't handle paradox. One way out is to prioritize between theology and observation. The one you start with determines your worldview.
4. Even if it doesn't solve your dilemma, put theology first (vv. 12-13a). This is a discipline. Affirm what you know to be true about God. Habakkuk affirmed three things: God never had a beginning, God will never have an end, God is holy.
5. Beware of sensualism. Sensualism teaches that what you see, hear, feel, taste and touch determines reality. We are called to walk by faith, not sight (senses).

Say What? (Hab 1:5-11)

The desired answers to Habakkuk's questions ("How long?" & "Why?") didn't come right away. Instead God answered with something totally unexpected, something that would stir a whole new set of questions and concerns (1:12-17).

1. God might complicate things before clarifying them. So you don't understand what's happening? That's okay. Admit that some things are just out of your league.
2. God might or might not answer your questions to your satisfaction. Will you still pray? Will you still trust Him?
3. God's thoughts and plans are higher than your thoughts and plans. Read Isaiah 55:8-9 and Romans 8:28.
4. God is in control (v. 6 - God raised up the Chaldeans.) of everything you call oppressive, unfair, unjust and unspeakable. You must believe this by faith, since the evidence alone could seduce you to think God is cruel, aloof, uncaring and harsh. The Judge of all the earth will do what is just (Gen 18:25).

Questioning God (Hab 1:2-4)

1. Bring your hard questions to God. No man might be able to answer them, let alone be able to understand. God understands everything.
2. You may not get the answer you want when you want it. God isn't obligated to explain Himself.
3. Your questions are filtered through your humanity and your finite existence. You're asking a particular question because of what you see, what you hear, how you perceive, what you think.
4. Asking tough questions is a sign of a maturing faith. Asking tough questions shouldn't be interpreted as irreverent behavior. God would rather you bring the question to Him than continue to bear it alone. Sometimes your "faith" (faith expression) can be too sanitary, too sane, too safe. You can be honest without being blasphemous.
5. Each person has one or more of these questions. So why not ask? God can handle it.