April 20 – Wrath and Mercy

“O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.” – Habakkuk 3:2 (ESV)

The book Habakkuk is one of the “Minor Prophets” in the Old Testament. Not minor is significance or message but in size. Some believe that Habakkuk wrote the book in two phases which he joined together. Chapters 1 & 2 record the prophet’s dialogue with God. Habakkuk questioned God regarding His method and purposes for Israel. The note at the end of chapter 3, identifies that it is written in the form of a psalm to be sung with stringed musical instruments. The prophet knew of God’s past dealings with Israel – by hearing and learning. He personally experiences an awe-filled respect at the power of God. He also uses this knowledge of God’s previous dealings to make a twofold petition. He calls on God to revive His way with Israel. He calls on God to make it known that even in His wrath, His mercy. He requests that God allow his mitigating mercy (cf. Ex. 34:6; Lk. 1:54). This is our promise: for both wrath and mercy are part of God’s nature. God loves us even when we have strayed from Him and turned our backs on His word. He will not turn His back on us.

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April 19 – Penetrating Question

“Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places.” -  Habakkuk 3:18-19 (NASB)

Our verse comes from the book of Habakkuk. We find promises that are apropos to our times. On today’s social media, we may encounter a good deal of complaining about how “things aren’t how they used to be or should be.” And the appeal of many is “How do we get back to the way it was?” This was the prophet Habakkuk’s complaint. Sin was abounding (just as today) and God seemed both indifferent and idle to Habakkuk. He questions if it was God who was to blame? “Why do You make me look at injustice?” (Habakkuk 1:3 NASB) He doubles down with an even greater question for God: “Why do You tolerate wrong?” (Habakkuk 1:13 NASB) Does this sound like the cry of many modern Christians?. “Why is God allowing the destruction of our country?” Mostly we blame the other side of the political divide. Habakkuk describes dire circumstances (v.16-17) for himself and Israel.  But he doesn’t state that he would merely endure this distress. He sets our example and said he would rejoice in the Lord and be joyful. God is the inexhaustible source and infinite supply of joy. God my Savior is literally, “the God of my salvation.”

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August 14 – Regardless Of Our Circumstances

“Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NASB)

We might think we find happiness from the things in the world, and when things are going our way, we find ourselves glad. But such things do not last. Today’s verses might sound like circumstances many are facing these days.  Many have been decimated by the effects of the choices which authorities have made to manage the health crisis at the world’s door*.  Our verse is from a prayer written by the prophet Habakkuk in an Old Testament book of the same name. It mentions the possibility of severe hardships we might face. When we do, faith becomes a matter of devoted allegiance to our God.  It is then we must have confidence in Him regardless of our circumstances.  The promise for us here is that Our Lord is a source of real joy for those who know Him.  Our circumstances change and when they do, let's  say, along with Habakkuk, that although all our resources and reserves are gone, “yet I will rejoice in the Lord” Lasting joy is found in trusting the Lord. The prophet experienced this true joy and that why he wrote this prayer.

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* Coronavirus disease 2019 is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.  It was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei, China, and has resulted in an ongoing pandemic as of the date of this posting.

August 14 – Yet I Will Rejoice

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV)

Our verse today is from a prayer written by the prophet Habakkuk in the Old Testament. It mentions the possibility of severe hardships we might face. When we do, faith become a matter of devoted allegiance to our God.  It is then we must have confidence in Him regardless of our circumstances.  The promise for us here here is that Our Lord is a source of real joy for those who know Him. We might think we find happiness from the things in the world, and when things are going our way, we find ourselves glad. But such things do not last. Our circumstances change and when they do, let's  say, along with Habakkuk, that although all our resources and reserves are gone, “yet I will rejoice in the Lord” Lasting joy is found in trusting the Lord. The prophet experienced this true joy and that why he wrote this prayer.