Drunkenness, Violence, and Idolatry

 O. T.#2232 "Drunkenness, Violence, and Idolatry"

July 11, 2022

Habakkuk 2-Part 8

LET IT GLOW

Mom always said, "What goes around comes around." She referred to reap and sow concept. How we treat others will be done to us, eventually. 

The prophet named 5 different sins Babylon did to merit judgment from God:

1. Selfish ambition
2. Covetousness
3. Exploitation of people
4. Drunkenness and violence (verses 15-17)

The Bible warns against the evils of strong drink (Prov. 20:1; Rom. 13:13; Gal. 5:21) Drunkenness and sensual behavior often go together. In Scripture, drinking a cup of wine can be a picture of judgment (Jer. 25:15), and nakedness often speaks of devasting effects of military invasion (Is. 47:1-3)

What Babylon did to others, God would do to her. Her land was stripped naked and her blood was shed, just as she had done to Judah. Their soldiers chopped down trees for firewood, probably, and killed the cattle for their food during the war. They had no moral discernment. It was the cup of the LORD's right hand that brought judgment. 

Sounds like you reap what you sow principle, huh? How we treat others will be done to us. So we better be sowing love and respect, for it could come back to haunt us if we don't.

LET IT GROW

5. Idolatry (verses 18-20)

I admit there was a time in my life when my career was more important than family and God. Finally, God got my attention and showed me, to which I am thankful.

The people of Nineveh had repented and turn away from worshiping idols, but then about 100 years later they returned to idols. So had Judah. 

Romans 1:25 NAS says, For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.)

There it is in black and white-worshiping and serving the creature instead of the Creator is idolatry. As Satan lied to Eve, saying she would be as God if she ate the forbidden fruit, he had previously done so when he was kicked out of heaven (Gen. 3:5). 

Idols are dead substitutes for the Living God. (Ps. 115)

Wiersbe said, "Whatever people delight in other than God, whatever they are devoted to and sacrifice for, whatever they couldn't bear to be without, is an idol and therefore under the condemnation of God."

Famous people can be idols-actors, athletes, politicians, wealthy tycoons. Idols can be things-cars, houses, boats, jewelry, and art. People can make their children and grandchildren their idols, as they refuse to let them serve God away from them. Also, jobs, social position, intellectual ability can all become idols for people to have, worshiping IQ instead of God. 

Albert Schweitzer said, "Anything you have that you cannot give away, you do not really own; it owns you."

[Resource: The Wiersbe Bible Commentary]

LET IT GO

God, show us if there be anything we hold more important than You.

Thank You Jesus, for leaving heaven to come be our Redeemer and Savior.

Please forgive us when we allow things to be more important in our life than You.

Keeping Money in its Proper Place

O. T. #2231 "Keeping Money in its Proper Place"

July 8, 2022

Habakkuk 2-Part 7

LET IT GLOW

As God responded to the prophet's questions, we read of His judgment upon Babylon, who took Judah captive and destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. He names their 5 different sins:

1. Selfish ambition

Covetousness (verses 9-11) There are 3 ways to get wealth: work for it, steal it, or given as a gift, according to Ephesians 4:28. The Babylonians took Judah's land and wealth, as well as articles in the Temple for themselves. Their power and what they coveteth (greed; gain greedily) helped their empire grow and have false security. 

Then God brought on disgrace and shame. Eventually the Babylonians lost their lives and the Medes and Persians conquered them. This was God's plan.

Mark 8:36 asks, For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 

Christians need to be careful to not focus on material wealth for selfish reasons. What does it gain us if our fabulous houses, luxurious cars, and toys becomes what we live for, yet do not worship God, read His Word, obey His principles?

Are we using our money to help others? To share the Gospel?

LET IT GROW

3. Exploitation of people (verses 12-14)

The use of bloodshed of innocent victims, prisoners of war, and slave labor to built the Babylonian kingdom profited them nothing. It is all gone today. Museums reveal their marvelous ways.

Verse 14 says, For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

A day is coming when the Messiah, Jesus Christ, will rule as King over His people during the Millennial reign. He alone is God and is to be worshiped.

Are you ready?

LET IT GO 

Teach us to love You, family, friends, and neighbors.

Help us to keep money in its proper place.

God, You alone are worthy of worship and praise and glory.

Ambition

O. T. #2230 "Ambition"

July 7, 2022

Habakkuk 2-Part 6

LET IT GLOW

Are we trusting in God's Word (brighter days ahead) and resting in His will?

Not only are we saved by faith but are instructed to live by faith. It is our faith that is the victory which overcomes the world. (1John 5:4) Faith is a lifestyle. It is not puffed up nor depends on our own resources. 

To live by faith means to believe God's Word and obey it no matter how we feel, what we see, or what the consequences may be. (Wiersbe)

Habakkuk knew difficult times were ahead for the Jews in Judah. Their only resource was to trust God's Word and rest in His will. The remnant believed God would rescue them from captivity.

Is God our refuge and strength? (Nah. 1:7)

LET IT GROW

To the godless Babylonians, God would be their judge and punish their sins. The prophet recorded 5 woes (different sins) as a result:

1. Selfish ambition (verses 6-8)
2. Covetousness (verses 9-11)
3. Exploitation of people (verses 12-14)
4. Drunkenness and violence (verses 15-17)
5. Idolatry (verses 18-20)

First, the Babylonians stopped at nothing to acquire wealth and expand their kingdom. (They had hoards of stolen goods while killing the people to get it.) They were warned that one day the owners of that wealth would rise up and collect their due against the Babylonians. The Medes and Persians did just that. (Daniel 5)

Ambition can be a bad or good thing, depending how it is used. Paul had ambition to share the Gospel with others and please God. So are we. (2 Cor. 5:9) 

LET IT GO

Lord, You see into our hearts.

Help us live by faith, trusting in You, Jesus.

May our ambition be to help others come to know Jesus.

Just by Faith

O. T. #2229  "Just by Faith"

July 6, 2022 

Habakkuk 2-Part 5

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in Him: but the just shall live by his faith. (verse 4)

LET IT GLOW

Will God judge the ruthless who oppress others? The prophet is asking God. Habakkuk is standing watch on his tower, observing and looking, as well as waiting to hear from his God. After all, God gave him a vision of the Chaldeans conquering Judah. What was going to happen to the bad, mean people?

Habakkuk is giving a vision from the Lord, and to write it down so messengers could run with joy throughout the land sharing it. Judah would not be destroyed, but the Chaldeans would be. He was told to wait for it to happen (took 70 years). 

In our key verse, God contrasts the two-believers and believers, lost and saved, unjust and just, unrighteous and righteous. Those who were not upright (please well, seem good) toward God and His Word.

First, the Chaldeans (Babylonians) were puffed up with pride. Idols were their gods. Though their military was great, God is even greater. In God's timing, they fell to the Persian empire.

This shows us that unbelievers depend upon themselves, their so-called strength and goodness. When facing a Holy God, they will not have a leg to stand on. All will bow before Jesus Christ and declare He is LORD.

LET IT GROW

Second, it is the just (righteous, morally right) who live by his faith (truth, firmness, fidelity, security). The righteous Jew found his righteousness in God, not himself. 

Today, believers are justified by faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. It is His sacrificial blood that makes us right with God, not our works. 

This verse is quoted by Paul three times in the New Testament-Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38. It is the battle cry and watchword of the Protestant Reformation in the days of Martin Luther. The righteous one shall love by his faith in Jehovah God.

Where is your faith focus? Is it on Jesus, His Word, His Righteousness?

LET IT GO

Jesus, You are our breath of life, our Salvation, our Righteousness.

Jesus, the name above every other name. Jesus the only One who could ever save. Worthy of all our praise. Holy, there is no one like You. There is no other God but You.

Thank You for loving us sinners. Use us for Your glory.

When Waiting Seems Forever

O. T. #2228  "When Waiting Seems Forever"

July 5, 2022

Habakkuk 2-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

Where are you Lord? How long must this go on? The prophet asked, God spoke, he questioned, and then waited for God to answer.

Swindoll tells us to have faith in our Sovereign God, since He:

1. Is able, and I am not;
2. knows what is best, and I do not;
3. sees the end from the beginning, I cannot;
4. should have His way in this, I should not.
5. must be glorified through this, I must not.

We need to let God be God, stand back and wait for God to work.

LET IT GROW

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (2:3)

 Habakkuk was told to write down the vision which the Lord gave him. Then when one read it, they were to run with joy to give the message throughout the land of Judah. The Chaldeans would be destroyed. they were to wait for fulfillment of the Lord's Word.

God will fulfill His Word to us as completely as He did concerning Habakkuk and the Jews. The revelation was for a future time. Jesus Christ said He would return to earth and serve as King. May we be found faithful in the waiting. Sometimes the waiting seems to be too long for us, even forever. But it will come.

LET IT GO

Keep praying, keep believing, keep trusting in Jesus. 

Our Sovereign Lord has this, your this and my this.

God's plans are perfect and so is His timing.

Getting Answers to Questions

O. T. #2227 "Getting Answers to Questions"

July 4, 2022

Habakkuk 2-Part 3

I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what He will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. (2:1)

LET IT GLOW

Are you seeking God's will in your life? Do you want to know which way to go, the right decision to make, and how to serve the Lord His way? If so, then follow along with us as we take a deeper look into this small book of prophecy. Let's find out what we can learn from Habakkuk.

First of all, right away the prophet tells us he had a vision from the LORD God. (1:1) The word he uses is see, which means perceive, contemplate, to have a vision of. God showed this man what was going to happen to Judah in the future because of their idolatry and other sins. They had turned away from worshiping Him.

Next, God was going to send the heathen Chaldeans (Babylon) to conquer Judah and destroy the Assyrian World Empire, as well as defeat the Egyptians, then take Judah into captivity.  (Seventy years it lasted, then a remnant returned to Jerusalem to rebuild it.) God fulfills His Word.

We read of Habakkuk asking questions of God, and he got answers.  I detect this prophet desired more than that. Will God do something to intervene? Will He judge those who oppress others? The thing is, this prophet did not know the good news that this would not last forever. So, he was seeking to know more through prayer. 

How did Habakkuk find out answers to his questions for God to answer?

• He is going to climb his watchtower, 
• stand at his guardpost,
• wait to see what the LORD says, 
• and how He will answer my question.

How can we hear God's voice and know His will for us? Blackaby tells us:

Christians habitually seek God's voice through prayer, through His Word, or through His messengers. Sometimes we fail to hear God speak through His activity. Watch for His activity so we know how we should respond and adjust our lives.

We know God is at work because what we see will astound us, and human power and wisdom will not explain it. If things happen that are direct answers to our prayers, God is speaking to us. If we want to hear God's voice, look around to see what He is doing.

[Resource: Experiencing God Day-By-Day, a devotional by Henry and Richard Blackaby]

LET IT GROW

As a Christian, God places you as a watchman for yourself, your friends, your family, and your church family. We are to be attentive to what God is saying. He will speak to us in the above ways, plus through the Holy Spirit. He can reveal ways we can help a friend, encourage others, as well as know specific dangers.

Are we listening, watching, attentive to God's activity around us? Are we faithful to His commands? Is our heart ready to obey when God speaks to us? Are we sensitive to the Holy Spirit and His message to us in all times, all locations, and under all circumstances?

LET IT GO

O God, how I need You. Every hour I need You. My One defense, my Righteousness. 

Yes, how we need You, Father God.

Teach us to be still and listen to You speak.

Open our eyes to see Your activity.

Your sheep need You today, Good Shepherd, King Jesus.

Prepare our heart to do Your will, Your way, today, for Your glory.

Father, thank You for giving us a land of the free. Keep us all safe as we celebrate today.

It Is Just By Faith

 O. T. #2226 "It is Just By Faith"

July 1, 2022

Habakkuk 2-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Does God keep His Word? Are His promises true? Can we count on it? Habakkuk found out.

Though God is the Creator and Judge of the universe, He takes the time to respond to His servant and let him in on what He's doing. (Evans)

The prophet was willing to wait for God to give him an answer, further instructions. Habakkuk spoke of his utter dependence upon God. And it did come. We don't know how long it was, but it was worth it:

• Habakkuk was told to write down God's answer, so a runner could carry it correctly. The runner was to have joy, not fear, as he gave the message throughout the land. 
• The bitter and sweet message was for an appointed time, not too late or too early.
• The Chaldeans would invade Judah (bitter), yet they would be destroyed in the future (sweet). 
• The end will speak, not lie, though it tarry, wait for it, for it will surely come. God's Word will be fulfilled.

And faithful the Word was, completely fulfilled. After 70 years in Babylon, the Jews returned to Jerusalem to rebuild it. (see Nehemiah)

Hebrews 10:37 says, For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. (NAS)

Folks, that teaches us that God keeps His Word. He said Jesus would come again for His people and He will. It is for the appointed time, not too late nor too soon. He will be on time. We can have hope, even when the signs do not show us. We can live through difficult times by faith in Jesus.

LET IT GROW

So at the appointed time, the Babylonian army will invade Jerusalem and Judah. (verse 3) The Babylonian king had an inflated ego, and was without integrity, was arrogant, and never satisfied. (verse 5)

If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. (verse 3b)

What are you waiting on God for, dear one? 

The most important message Habakkuk had to share is found in verse 4b, but the just shall live by his faith.

It was not a ten-point answer, nor a long discussion of God's ways. Simply put, Believers are to trust God and follow His instructions in obedience. 

This was a watchword for the Protestant Reformation by Martin Luther. Justification comes by faith in Jesus Christ, not by our good works, when God declares sinners right. Three emphasis is:

1. God's grace, because faith and grace go together,
2. God's glory, although violence and corruption are present. the earth will be one day filled with His glory,
3. God's government, will be one where Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords. (Wiersbe)

It is by the work of Christ on the cross, enduring the pain, living a perfect life, providing His blood as a perfect sacrifice for us sinners that we are justified before a holy God when we put our faith in Jesus.

Three times in the New Testament refers to this verse. See Galatians3:11, Romans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38. 

LET IT GO

Our God is bigger than our problems. He is the only one who knows how to solve them. He will see us through it.