Wait for the Right Answer

O. T. #2225 "Wait for the Right Answer"

June 30,2022

Habakkuk 2

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. (verse 1)

LET IT GLOW

Has your faith been shaken you up? Remember that God is our Rock, immovable and unshakeable. It seems that Habakkuk's faith has been shaken up.

God's message to Habakkuk was in the form of a vision. It caused the prophet to question or complain that God appeared indifferent to Judah's sin. Instead of revival, God's response was that He was going to send the terrible and dreadful judgment. 

Then Habakkuk responded by questioning how God could use a wicked nation to judge His nation. As the prophet recognized the unchangeable character of God as eternal, sovereign, and holy, the Lord assured him Judah would not be completely destroyed. (Jeremiah 31, 33) The purpose of the Chaldeans was to correct, not annihilate. God was not going to wipe out the Jews.

Are you questioning why God would allow things to occur in your life or the life of loved ones? 

LET IT GROW

Before we look at our key verse above, recall that a watchman on the walls of Jerusalem looked out of his tower for the enemy or a messenger to warn the people. If he did not warn the city of danger coming, then the blood of the people who died was on his hands. (Ez. 3, 33) If he was faithful in warning the city would be saved.

 What did Habakkuk decide to do?  He will:

• stand upon his watch (post, office, observance);
• set himself upon the tower (fortress, defense, fastness); 
• watch (to lean forward; to peer into the distance; to observe; wait for) to see what God would say (speak, command, promise, teach) to him;
• and what he shall answer when he is reproved (correction, rebuke).

In other words, Habakkuk climbed up his watchtower, stood at his guardpost, and waited to see how the Lord answered him. (NLT) 

Prophets were responsible to God for delivering His message to the people. The prophet did not expect to get bawled out because of his questions but would wait patiently for the answer God had and would give. He desired to be in the best position, on the watchtower, to receive God's message.

Do we prepare to hear from God? Do we ponder His reply to our questions? Are we ready to obey? God has an answer, the right answer, to our questions. Will we wait patiently for it? Are we studying His Word and praying faithfully? In the meantime, let us walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Cor. 5:7)

                                                                                               

LET IT GO

Help us to wait for Your answers to our questions, Lord Jesus.

You are a Good, Good God.

You know best.

More Questions

O. T. #2224 "More Questions"

June 29, 2022 

Habakkuk 1-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

What do we do when God answers our prayers in a different way than we prefer or desire? So many times I have prayed for friends and loved ones to be healed of a disease only for God to take them away to heaven. Certainly, that was not my preference, but I had to yield to God's will, not mine.

The prophet Habakkuk asked God some questions but did not receive the answers he was expecting. He was hoping God would send a revival to His people, judge the evil leaders, and establish righteousness in the land of Judah. (The nation would escape punishment and be spared, along with the cities and people.)

However, God had warned His people time and time again but they would not listen. Judah rejected the prophets' words, which was from God, drought and plagues came, along with military defeats. Hearts were hardened instead of repentant, resulting in their turning to false gods. They tried God's patience long enough. (He sent Babylon to conquer Judah and take them into captivity for 70 years.)

What do we do when God doesn't answer or give us for what we asked? How do we react? do we surrender to His will or do we pout, get angry, reject it? Are we willing for God to have His way in our life and in the lives of others?

LET IT GROW

We all know heartbreak bare wounds and scars, as well as walk through sorrow. God knows what it takes for people to come to Him and how much we can take.

Habakkuk asked two more questions of God:

1. Will You let them get away with this forever?
2. Will they succeed forever in their heartless conquests? (verse 17)

He is in reference to the Chaldeans, Babylonians. God had let the prophet see what was going to happen in a vision. Habakkuk left the questions with God, for all questions must ultimately be resolved by Him.

The thing is, folks, do we have faith strong enough for us to wait for the answers?

Isaiah told us in his writings, 60:22, When the time is right, I the Lord, will make it happen. 

So let's wait, not jump in and do something that may not be God's will for us. Oh, how I know that waiting is hard, sucks the wind out of you, throws away joy, if we allow it. God is God and we must yield to Him. 

LET IT GO

What a friend we have in Jesus!

Grace is always available.

Fill our cups and run them over with Your grace and mercy!

Forever and ever Jesus reigns. Does He reign in your heart today?

Complaints

O. T. #2223 "Complaints"

June 28, 2022 

Habakkuk 1-Part 3 

LET IT GLOW

How much longer must this go on? Where are you Lord?

Habakkuk is asking God to hear his prayer and answer. In Judah, the laws were not being enforced, wrongdoers were never corrected, the righteous were frustrated. God had promised to judge sin and the prophet knew it was coming.

Then God answered in verses 5-11, where He tells the prophet:

• Look at the nations and be amazed in marvelous wonder. (verse 5)
• He was going to work in those days, in days he would not believe if God had told him.
• He was going to raise up the Chaldeans (Babylonians), who were a cruel and violent people, astronomers and astrologers.(verse 6)  
• How disheartening it must have been for Habakkuk. Sadly, Judah did not turn around, repenting of sins, and come back to worshiping God only. So it was around 30-40 years later that Habakkuk experienced this.

LET IT GROW

Habakkuk declares God to be:

• everlasting (eternal, ancient, old), 
• O LORD my God, 
• mine Holy One,
• mighty God
• with pure eyes and cannot look upon sin.

He knows who is in charge and proclaimed Him as such. After hearing all of that, Yet, Habakkuk asked more questions of God-surely You don't plan to wipe us out? Will You wink at the evil ones evil? Should You be silent while the wicked ones devour the righteous? (verses 12-13) Will you let them get away with heartless conquests? (verse 17)

After all, the Chaldeans were worse that Judah, who was bad. Why does a Righteous God give free reign to an evil nation that does not give Him glory?

It can be very difficult to accept God's will, sometimes. That is when we trust He knows best and and knows what He is doing. Trust that it will all work out some way, according to God's plan. 

LET IT GO

We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Such Marvelous Things God Does!

O. T. #2222 "Such Marvelous Things God Does!"

June 27, 2022

Habakkuk 1-Part 2

Behold, ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you. (verse 5)

LET IT GLOW

You wouldn't believe it if someone told you. Anything like that happen to you? How marvelous and gracious God was to me when He returned my breath of life after turning blue and another time He kept my heart beating when minerals were depleted. Both times I almost died. Yes, our God does marvelous things for His children! I continue to wonder marvelously for what He has done in my life.

Marvellously means be amazed; wonder.

Yet, I have Exodus 9:16 on my desk to remind me-But I have spared you for a purpose to show you My power and to spread My fame throughout the earth. 

That is why I write this blog.

That is God's response to Habakkuk's questions-verse 5.  

It wasn't a question of if, but of when; when God was going to judge His people for their sins and idolatry. Not only Judah was bad, but surrounding nations, too. 

Do you have a story of how God has touched your life, marvelously?

LET IT GROW

God is at work on a universal scale in order to bring His universal power and influence to bear on the evils that Habakkuk are experiencing at that time. When they get this global perspective, they will scarcely believe it. In their days, they will witness what God is doing and when it is done, recognize He is the One who did it. ((Liberty Bible Commentary)

I just found out the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade. I have been praying this would happen for years. Truly, God has worked to do this! Glory to His name! I pray no states will allow abortions to be legal.

How it saddens my heart to think how many babies have cruelly been killed because they were not wanted or loved. It was because of sin, adultery and fornication that it was made legal in the first place. 

LET IT GO

How marvelous, wonderful, and awesome is our God!

Please God change the hearts of women across the nation so they do not rebel against this law. 

Please change hearts so we love babies and life, Father.

We give You glory, Almighty God-You do the impossible!

How Long?

O. T. #2221 "How Long?"

June 24, 2022

Habakkuk 

LET IT GLOW

How long is this mess going to continue? Do you feel like you are alone standing for justice in the world? Does God seemed to be indifferent? Let's find out what we can do then.

Usually, prophets spoke to the people according to what they heard from God, but Habakkuk spoke to God about what he saw (vision). (verse 1) What he saw caused him deep concern. So the prophet asked God questions:

• How long must I call for help? Violence is everywhere, but You do not come to save. (verse 2)
• Must I forever see these evil deeds? (Verse 3)
• Why must I watch all this misery? Destruction and violence is everywhere. People love to argue and fight. There is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so justice has become perverted.

All around him, Habakkuk saw injustice, wrongdoing, oppression, violence, strife, and conflict. He lived during the time King Josiah, who loved the Lord and His law, reigned in Judah. Then the king was killed and his wicked son Jehoiakim, who did evil in the LORD's sight, reigned. The citizens followed their king's ways. (2 Kings 23)

Sound familiar? Is America in the same predicament? 

LET IT GROW

We all have prayers that have not been answered, unselfish ones. Why does God not answer? Why doesn't God step in and do something? Now would be good.

This praying man did something-he cried out to his God. However, his prayers seemed to go0 unanswered. How long Lord? Why don't you?

Habakkuk decided that God was taking too long to come through. Why do You tolerate wrongdoing? (verse 3)

Tony Evans reminds us some things about God when we are in those situations:

• God alone sees the whole picture.
• He is working out His sovereign plan in the midst of the chaos.
• The Lord decides when to answer our prayers and how best to answer them.
• God is omniscient (all knowing), omnipotent (all powerful), and holy (perfectly righteous in all He does).
• He knows how to run things better than we do.

I don't know about You, but I certainly needed to hear this. 

LET IT GO

I will walk by faith, even when I cannot see.

I wholly trust in Jesus. Christ alone, Cornerstone, weak made strong, He shed His blood. Through the storm, He is Lord of all.

Jesus, give us strength to carry on with You.

Why?

O. T. #2220  "Why?"

June 23, 2022 

Often times we don't understand why something happened in our life or another's life. When God does not give us the answer, then we must trust Him to do what is right. That is when we need to get up and do what He has purposed for us, trusting His wisdom, sovereignty, and love.

Our questions may not be answered until we get to heaven. So faith must grow strong in us. Honor God with whatever. Habakkuk asked questions of God. We will see how He responded. Pleas join me in this study of another little 3 chapter book of the Bible. You will be blessed along with me.

Introduction to Habakkuk 

This prophet's name means "one who embraces" or "one who takes another into his arms." He comforts them, holds them up, as a weeping child is embraced, to quiet it with assurance that, if God wills, it shall soon be better. (Martin Luther)

Nothing is known about Habakkuk. He was a contemporary of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zephaniah.

Background:

Habakkuk prophesied during the final days of the Assyrian Empire and the beginning of Babylonia's world rulership under Nebopolassar and his son Nebuchadnezzar. They overthrew Assyria and what was Israel.

King Joshiah had reformed Judah, getting rid of idols, which his father and grandfather had worshiped instead of God. After Joshiah's death, Judah reverted to her evil ways. This caused Habakkuk to question God's silence and lack of action to purge His people, and indifference to His own people.

Purpose:

Habakkuk warned Judah of its coming judgment at the hands of the Chaldeans and he gave comfort to Judah concerning their destruction. Justice had disappeared and violence with wickedness prevailed in Judah.

Theme:

Fundamental questions about life, proper understanding God's character, and His sovereign ways in history, doing what is right. He calls us to trust God, the just shall live by faith. Also, believer's need to remain strong and faithful in the midst of affliction and trials. Justification is by faith.

[Resource: The MacArthur Bible Commentary, The Prophets Nahum and Habakkuk by J. Vernon McGee, ]

We are challenged to look at the "who" when we don't understand the "why." We are to trust God's sovereignty over His kingdom purposes even when we don't comprehend them. (Tony Evans)

God Loves His People

O. T. #2219 "God Loves His People"

June 22, 2022 

Summary of Nahum 

LET IT GLOW

Sometimes we just need to be reminded that God loves us. We are living in a mixed up, sinful world. He can change hearts with His love. 

What lessons can we learn from this book?

1. God is always faithful to His own people. Because of God's covenant relationship to Israel, His people, God moved against Nineveh and destroyed them.
2. God is sovereign over all the nations of the world. He sets up and puts down whom He desires.
3. It is true that the nation that oppresses God's people seals its own death warrant.

History tells us that the cruel Assyrians who conquered Israel, the northern kingdom, was conquered by Babylon. So Nahum's prophecies came true.

How is God faithful to you? Are we realizing that He is Sovereign God, ruling over all things? Sometimes He allows sinful people to wander off on their own, but is there when they come back to them, showering grace and mercy over them.

LET IT GROW

Nahum comforted Judah after Assyria destroyed Israel. He announced God's coming judgment on Assyria and Nineveh. Did Judah learn anything in the circumstances surrounding them?

No, for Judah ended up going into idolatry, also. God sent Babylon to destroy them and take them captive for 70 years. Jerusalem was destroyed, too. However, a remnant remained faithful to God, whom He used to rebuild the Temple and the city later on.

LET IT GO 

Thank You, Father, for loving us.

Help us to be faithful to God, no matter how hard it is. 

Stare faithful to His Word, sharing it in this sinful world. 

Trust God always.