In the Sept. '08 issue of Christianity Today, Philip Yancey wrote an article that I want to share in part with you today. In it he reminds disciples that their faith is not just about the destination, as glorious as Heaven is. Christ Jesus calls us to a new kind of life along the Way to Heaven, too! It's as much about the journey as it is about reaching Home. He offers this analogy.
"A bus load of tourists is enroute to the Grand Canyon. On the long journey across the wheat fields of Kansas and through the glorious mountains of Colorado, the travelers inexplicably keep the shades down. Intent on the ultimate destination, they never even bother to look outside. As a result they spend their time arguing over such matters as who has the best seat and who's taking too much time in the bathroom. The Church can resemble such a bus. We should remember that the Bible has far more to say about how to live during the journey than about the final destination."
I hope that your Christianity is not just expressed within the walls of your local church! Truthfully, I hope you feel alive in the Spirit as you wrestle with your work, interact with your neighbors, drive to the bank, hold your child close at the end of the day . . . in these ordinary moments, we have the privilege of making God's Presence real in this world. The Scripture is direct about our responsibility to live in the Kingdom right now, not just in the age to come. "Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. . . . And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. . . . Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ." (Colossians 3:12, 17, 23-24, NLT)
Recently, in a trying situation, when my patience and strength were near gone, I heard the Spirit say to my heart: "Jerry, this duty will be a delight if you accept, by faith, that you are serving your Lord Jesus in it." Obediently, I responded and thanked Jesus for the opportunity to serve Him. His face replaced the face of the one I served. In a moment, I was no longer just doing what my responsibilities required. I was enjoying the privilege of serving Jesus Himself, a high and holy honor!
Our lives are totally changed when we grasp what Jesus said in that one line of the prayer He taught us to pray: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10, KJV) What an awesome, wonderful, amazing, challenging, 'bigger than we could hope to accomplish in our strength,' commission that is! A Kingdom-oriented disciple will find himself in constant communication with the Lord, seeking the wisdom and guidance of the Spirit for this adventure!
Oh, how I pray for a Kingdom vision from Christ to be planted in each of us. It is transforming. How can we give ourselves to base things, to silly conflicts over trivial matters, if our words and actions are about serving Jesus and bringing His love and goodness into every situation in which we find ourselves?
Dear Believer, this is the wonder of Eternal Life. We don't have to wait until we die to begin to live in it! That is why the fear of death no longer controls those who live in the Spirit. Even as they live on this planet, watching the days pass, they are citizens of a Kingdom without end. If we are living thus, when our body ceases to function, our spirit will simply move from the confines of time and space into a realm in which we are already at home. Don't pull the shades and miss the scenery. In fact, let me expand Yancey's analogy - "Don't just stay on the bus!" When it parks, get off and find somebody to serve. As you gaze into the face of that person, whomever she may be; catch a glimpse of the face of Jesus.
___________________________
Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things;
Give heart and soul
And mind and strength
To serve the King of kings.
Rise up, O men of God!
His kingdom tarries long;
Bring in the day of brotherhood
And end the night of wrong.
Rise up, O men of God!
The church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task;
Rise up, and make her great!
Lift high the cross of Christ,
Tread where His feet have trod;
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O men of God!
Rise Up, O Men of God
William Merrill© Public Domain
Friday, October 17, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The REAL solution
American politicians are trying hard to restore stability to our financial markets, but it appears that their efforts are not working. Yesterday, the stock market tanked again making the largest one day percentage drop ever. In the Presidential debates, Senators Obama and McCain promised to make the crisis better, offering up lower taxes and new government programs. In reality, our money crisis grows from spiritual bankruptcy and the only real and lasting solution will involve a major shift in values among the American people. We are addicted to big government and big spending- each of us wanting cuts for the 'other guy' while preserving our benefits. A call to saving and sacrifice sounds good - just as long as it doesn't touch whatever government program makes my life easier!
In the ancient book of Deuteronomy, there is a description of Israel that fits America today. See if you agree.
"I will proclaim the name of the Lord; how glorious is our God! He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!
“But (Israel has) acted corruptly toward him; when they act so perversely, are they really his children? They are a deceitful and twisted generation. Is this the way you repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? Isn’t he your Father who created you? Has he not made you and established you? . . .
“For the people of Israel belong to the Lord; Jacob is his special possession. He found them in a desert land, in an empty, howling wasteland. He surrounded them and watched over them; he guarded them as he would guard his own eyes. . . . The Lord alone guided them; they followed no foreign gods. He let them ride over the highlands and feast on the crops of the fields. He nourished them with honey from the rock and olive oil from the stony ground. . . . He gave them choice rams from Bashan, and goats, together with the choicest wheat. You drank the finest wine, made from the juice of grapes.
“But Israel soon became fat and unruly; the people grew heavy, plump, and stuffed! Then they abandoned the God who had made them; they made light of the Rock of their salvation. . . . They offered sacrifices to demons, which are not God, to gods they had not known before, to new gods only recently arrived, to gods their ancestors had never feared. You neglected the Rock who had fathered you; you forgot the God who had given you birth." (Deuteronomy 32:3-18, NLT)
I am not suggesting that America is modern Israel or that we should be a theocracy! But, history is abundantly clear that America has enjoyed an amazing and privileged place among the nations. God blessed us with rich resources, with a system of government that revered individual rights and liberties, that rested on an understanding of responsibility, thrift, and hard work. Since the Second World War, as our prosperity increased greatly, we made idols of our wealth and became slaves of our possessions. We demanded 'more' even as we grew fat in every way. Instead of working hard to build wealth, we believed the lie that we could borrow and spend our way to greater riches! (This deception blinded individuals and government alike.) Anyone who suggested that we should be content, or that we should limit consumption, or that we should practice restraint; was dismissed, ignored, or ridiculed. Our sense of entitlement extended to the government and vast, expensive programs were created to serve our demands - coddling us from our birth to our grave. We paid no attention to the cost of such programs, though a few lonely voices warned that massive socialism would rob us of prosperity. Finally the bubble burst and it appears that we are just beginning to understand the cost of robbing future generations to feed ourselves!
Even the growing edge of the American Church adopted the "big is better, more is good, and 'serve me'" philosophy that emerged forty years ago. The call to service was replaced with "God loves you and wants you to have a rich and wonderful life," message that left sins unchallenged. Preachers set aside the call of Jesus to 'love God and others more than self,' and preached a half-true gospel of individual fulfillment and unlimited access to God's blessings.
The real solution to America's crisis is a return to the God who blessed us, a renewal of our understanding of His ways, and a submission to His will. It won't get better in a month, a year, perhaps even a decade! But, if we learn again
that He is our true Wealth,
that diligent work is noble and God-honoring,
that contentment is a sign of spiritual health,
that sharing with those who are truly in need reveals a godly heart, and
that assuring justice for rich and more alike is demanded of us by the One who will call us all to stand before His Judgment Seat:
America will once again rest on a solid foundation.
__________________
O God, our Help in ages past,
Our Hope for years to come,
Our Shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal Home!
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Still may we dwell secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
O God, our Help in ages past,
Our Hope for years to come,
Be Thou my Guide while life shall last,
And our eternal Home.
O God Our Help In Ages Past
Isaac Watts © Public Domain
In the ancient book of Deuteronomy, there is a description of Israel that fits America today. See if you agree.
"I will proclaim the name of the Lord; how glorious is our God! He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!
“But (Israel has) acted corruptly toward him; when they act so perversely, are they really his children? They are a deceitful and twisted generation. Is this the way you repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? Isn’t he your Father who created you? Has he not made you and established you? . . .
“For the people of Israel belong to the Lord; Jacob is his special possession. He found them in a desert land, in an empty, howling wasteland. He surrounded them and watched over them; he guarded them as he would guard his own eyes. . . . The Lord alone guided them; they followed no foreign gods. He let them ride over the highlands and feast on the crops of the fields. He nourished them with honey from the rock and olive oil from the stony ground. . . . He gave them choice rams from Bashan, and goats, together with the choicest wheat. You drank the finest wine, made from the juice of grapes.
“But Israel soon became fat and unruly; the people grew heavy, plump, and stuffed! Then they abandoned the God who had made them; they made light of the Rock of their salvation. . . . They offered sacrifices to demons, which are not God, to gods they had not known before, to new gods only recently arrived, to gods their ancestors had never feared. You neglected the Rock who had fathered you; you forgot the God who had given you birth." (Deuteronomy 32:3-18, NLT)
I am not suggesting that America is modern Israel or that we should be a theocracy! But, history is abundantly clear that America has enjoyed an amazing and privileged place among the nations. God blessed us with rich resources, with a system of government that revered individual rights and liberties, that rested on an understanding of responsibility, thrift, and hard work. Since the Second World War, as our prosperity increased greatly, we made idols of our wealth and became slaves of our possessions. We demanded 'more' even as we grew fat in every way. Instead of working hard to build wealth, we believed the lie that we could borrow and spend our way to greater riches! (This deception blinded individuals and government alike.) Anyone who suggested that we should be content, or that we should limit consumption, or that we should practice restraint; was dismissed, ignored, or ridiculed. Our sense of entitlement extended to the government and vast, expensive programs were created to serve our demands - coddling us from our birth to our grave. We paid no attention to the cost of such programs, though a few lonely voices warned that massive socialism would rob us of prosperity. Finally the bubble burst and it appears that we are just beginning to understand the cost of robbing future generations to feed ourselves!
Even the growing edge of the American Church adopted the "big is better, more is good, and 'serve me'" philosophy that emerged forty years ago. The call to service was replaced with "God loves you and wants you to have a rich and wonderful life," message that left sins unchallenged. Preachers set aside the call of Jesus to 'love God and others more than self,' and preached a half-true gospel of individual fulfillment and unlimited access to God's blessings.
The real solution to America's crisis is a return to the God who blessed us, a renewal of our understanding of His ways, and a submission to His will. It won't get better in a month, a year, perhaps even a decade! But, if we learn again
that He is our true Wealth,
that diligent work is noble and God-honoring,
that contentment is a sign of spiritual health,
that sharing with those who are truly in need reveals a godly heart, and
that assuring justice for rich and more alike is demanded of us by the One who will call us all to stand before His Judgment Seat:
America will once again rest on a solid foundation.
__________________
O God, our Help in ages past,
Our Hope for years to come,
Our Shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal Home!
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Still may we dwell secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
O God, our Help in ages past,
Our Hope for years to come,
Be Thou my Guide while life shall last,
And our eternal Home.
O God Our Help In Ages Past
Isaac Watts © Public Domain
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Don't let it pile up!
Walking past the late model car, I glanced in the windows and ... well, the sight was amazing! The back seat was piled 2 feet deep with trash: soda bottles, food wrappers, shopping bags, and boxes. Thrown into the trash were various items of clothing. The debris reached from the floor to overflow the seating area. Given my obsession with a clean car, I just had to turn around and take a closer look. It was a mini-garbage dumpster on wheels! I walked away smiling and wondering why the owner would allow such a disaster to develop. All that trash obviously was not generated in a single day or even over a week. When I leave my car, coffee containers, candy wrappers, and papers go with me. It's so much easier to maintain when I deal with today's trash, today!
A car full of garbage is disgusting. A life full of yesterday's sins and problems is overwhelming! The temptation to ignore that resentment, to leave that jealousy unchallenged, to let bitter feelings stay, to tolerate a bad attitude - you can add your own sin to that list - will create a heart full of trash. A once beautiful life will become cluttered with sin. The pile can become so deep that change will require major, sustained effort. There's a very practical reason that the Word is so clear about taking action now; today's sin grows exponentially when we leave it unconfessed and/or refuse repentance. For example, we read that we must deal with the things that anger us today before the sun sets! "Don't go to bed angry!" Why? Because if we do not, the Devil gets a foothold in our lives. (Ephesians 4:26-27)
Let's make the principle practical.
That mental attraction to a person other than a spouse will never blossom into a life-destroying affair, if it is confessed and surrendered to Christ Jesus today.
Bitterness finds no place to take root in the mind of the man who quickly grants forgiveness today.
Greed cannot shrink the heart of the one who is generous with the little he has today.
Read these words of God's wisdom. In Hebrews, the example of Israel and her journey in the wilderness from Egypt to the Promised Land is made a life lesson for those of us making the journey to God's Kingdom. Take seriously the challenge to take action today.
"So watch your step, friends. Make sure there’s no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. For as long as it’s still God’s Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn’t slow down your reflexes. If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we’re in this with Christ for the long haul.
These words keep ringing in our ears: Today, please listen; don’t turn a deaf ear as in the bitter uprising. For who were the people who turned a deaf ear? Weren’t they the very ones Moses led out of Egypt? And who was God provoked with for forty years? Wasn’t it those who turned a deaf ear and ended up corpses in the wilderness? And when he swore that they’d never get where they were going, wasn’t he talking to the ones who turned a deaf ear? They never got there because they never listened, never believed." (Hebrews 3:12-19, The Message)
The NIV closes that passage saying that 'the people did not enter their rest.' They could not enjoy the fullness of God's promise, the full peacefulness of His provision, because they were overtaken with sins left unconfessed, buried by their sins! But our destiny can be different if we learn from their failure. "God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it." (Hebrews 4:1, NLT)
Live wholly, beautifully, and 'at rest' in the Spirit's life and deal with the temptations of sins of this day- today.
A car full of garbage is disgusting. A life full of yesterday's sins and problems is overwhelming! The temptation to ignore that resentment, to leave that jealousy unchallenged, to let bitter feelings stay, to tolerate a bad attitude - you can add your own sin to that list - will create a heart full of trash. A once beautiful life will become cluttered with sin. The pile can become so deep that change will require major, sustained effort. There's a very practical reason that the Word is so clear about taking action now; today's sin grows exponentially when we leave it unconfessed and/or refuse repentance. For example, we read that we must deal with the things that anger us today before the sun sets! "Don't go to bed angry!" Why? Because if we do not, the Devil gets a foothold in our lives. (Ephesians 4:26-27)
Let's make the principle practical.
That mental attraction to a person other than a spouse will never blossom into a life-destroying affair, if it is confessed and surrendered to Christ Jesus today.
Bitterness finds no place to take root in the mind of the man who quickly grants forgiveness today.
Greed cannot shrink the heart of the one who is generous with the little he has today.
Read these words of God's wisdom. In Hebrews, the example of Israel and her journey in the wilderness from Egypt to the Promised Land is made a life lesson for those of us making the journey to God's Kingdom. Take seriously the challenge to take action today.
"So watch your step, friends. Make sure there’s no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. For as long as it’s still God’s Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn’t slow down your reflexes. If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we’re in this with Christ for the long haul.
These words keep ringing in our ears: Today, please listen; don’t turn a deaf ear as in the bitter uprising. For who were the people who turned a deaf ear? Weren’t they the very ones Moses led out of Egypt? And who was God provoked with for forty years? Wasn’t it those who turned a deaf ear and ended up corpses in the wilderness? And when he swore that they’d never get where they were going, wasn’t he talking to the ones who turned a deaf ear? They never got there because they never listened, never believed." (Hebrews 3:12-19, The Message)
The NIV closes that passage saying that 'the people did not enter their rest.' They could not enjoy the fullness of God's promise, the full peacefulness of His provision, because they were overtaken with sins left unconfessed, buried by their sins! But our destiny can be different if we learn from their failure. "God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it." (Hebrews 4:1, NLT)
Live wholly, beautifully, and 'at rest' in the Spirit's life and deal with the temptations of sins of this day- today.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Substitutes?
On the table at the coffee shop was a container of sugar. Next to it was a box holding yellow, pink, and blue packets bearing attractive names like Sweet 'N Low, Equal, and Splenda. These various sweeteners claim to be sugar substitutes. Each can produce an illusion of sweetness temporarily but then the aftertaste kicks in. Ugh! About six months ago, when I realized how many calories I was adding to my daily diet with heaping teaspoons of sugar in my coffee, I decided to try the substitutes. After ruining successive cups of coffee, I learned to like my coffee with cream only. In my opinion, better nothing than the substitute!
In the book of Galatians, Paul asks an important question. "After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" (Galatians 3:3, NIV) Religion, which is the attempt to please God with rigid rules about sin, carefully controlled emotions, and large does of human will, is a frequent substitute for living Christianity. Every disciple is tempted by it from time to time. Religion allows us to 'look good' on the outside, without waiting on the Holy Spirit to transform our inner person. It offers us a quick route to earning the approval of others by doing some good things, without needing to submit to God's work that goes heart deep. But religion is a poor substitute for a real, living relationship with God, the Spirit in much the same way as those little packets are for real sugar!
Some very, very religious people, highly accomplished in their performance of outer righteousness, earned this scathing rebuke from Jesus: “You hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean." (Matthew 23:27, NIV)
Several people have told me that if I'll use one of those little packets of sugar substitutes I'll get used the aftertaste. They are probably right as there is quite a market for artificial sweeteners. There is a big market for religion, too. But, religion can't satisfy, doesn't change character, and cannot produce eternal life. "So, then, if with Christ you’ve put all that pretentious and infantile religion behind you, why do you let yourselves be bullied by it? “Don’t touch this! Don’t taste that! Don’t go near this!” Do you think things that are here today and gone tomorrow are worth that kind of attention? Such things sound impressive if said in a deep enough voice. They even give the illusion of being pious and humble and ascetic. But they’re just another way of showing off, making yourselves look important." (Colossians 2:20-24, The Message)
Disciple, keep step with the Spirit. If you can live your 'Christian' life without prayer, without leaning hard on God's provision and power, it's not real Christianity- it's just religion.
"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25, NIV)
___________________
Spirit of God, descend upon my heart,
wean it from earth, through all its pulses move.
Stoop to my weakness mighty as Thou art,
and make me love Thee as I ought to love.
Hast Thou not bid us love Thee, God and King?
All, all Thine own --soul, heart, and strength and mind.
I see Thy cross --there teach my heart to cling,
O let me seek Thee and O let me find.
Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh,
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear ---
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh:
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.
Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love,
Only holy passion filling all my frame.
The baptism of the heave'n descended Dove,
My heart an altar, and Thy love - the flame.
George Croly© Public Domain
In the book of Galatians, Paul asks an important question. "After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" (Galatians 3:3, NIV) Religion, which is the attempt to please God with rigid rules about sin, carefully controlled emotions, and large does of human will, is a frequent substitute for living Christianity. Every disciple is tempted by it from time to time. Religion allows us to 'look good' on the outside, without waiting on the Holy Spirit to transform our inner person. It offers us a quick route to earning the approval of others by doing some good things, without needing to submit to God's work that goes heart deep. But religion is a poor substitute for a real, living relationship with God, the Spirit in much the same way as those little packets are for real sugar!
Some very, very religious people, highly accomplished in their performance of outer righteousness, earned this scathing rebuke from Jesus: “You hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean." (Matthew 23:27, NIV)
Several people have told me that if I'll use one of those little packets of sugar substitutes I'll get used the aftertaste. They are probably right as there is quite a market for artificial sweeteners. There is a big market for religion, too. But, religion can't satisfy, doesn't change character, and cannot produce eternal life. "So, then, if with Christ you’ve put all that pretentious and infantile religion behind you, why do you let yourselves be bullied by it? “Don’t touch this! Don’t taste that! Don’t go near this!” Do you think things that are here today and gone tomorrow are worth that kind of attention? Such things sound impressive if said in a deep enough voice. They even give the illusion of being pious and humble and ascetic. But they’re just another way of showing off, making yourselves look important." (Colossians 2:20-24, The Message)
Disciple, keep step with the Spirit. If you can live your 'Christian' life without prayer, without leaning hard on God's provision and power, it's not real Christianity- it's just religion.
"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25, NIV)
___________________
Spirit of God, descend upon my heart,
wean it from earth, through all its pulses move.
Stoop to my weakness mighty as Thou art,
and make me love Thee as I ought to love.
Hast Thou not bid us love Thee, God and King?
All, all Thine own --soul, heart, and strength and mind.
I see Thy cross --there teach my heart to cling,
O let me seek Thee and O let me find.
Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh,
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear ---
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh:
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.
Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love,
Only holy passion filling all my frame.
The baptism of the heave'n descended Dove,
My heart an altar, and Thy love - the flame.
George Croly© Public Domain
Monday, October 13, 2008
Habakkuk's Burden
There are three chapters in the Old Testament that give us the words of a man who saw a terrible calamity coming on God's people. Old Habby realized that the Babylonians were growing strong and at the very same time he saw his nation abandoning God, Who was their only strength and defense against that enemy. With terrible sorrow, he knew the end would be awful suffering, death, and destruction. "Why are you allowing this to happen, Lord?" is his cry.
As I read his writing today, the Spirit made these ancient laments a comfort to me. "How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? . . .the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted." (Habakkuk 1:4, NIV) Could we not cry this for our land? But God's answer is not what Habby expected! There is no promise of immediate revival. Instead the Lord responds "I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwelling places not their own. ...they all come bent on violence. Their hordes advance like a desert wind and gather prisoners like sand." (Habakkuk 1:9, NIV)
The inevitable conclusion was too much for Old Habby and he ask in terror and wonder,
"God, you’re from eternity, aren’t you? Holy God, we aren’t going to die, are we? God, you chose Babylonians for your judgment work? Rock-Solid God, you gave them the job of discipline? But you can’t be serious! You can’t condone evil! So why don’t you do something about this? Why are you silent now?" (Habakkuk 1:12-13, The Message)
Sometimes we don't get the 'happily ever after' answer from Heaven we want! Sometimes when we ask for relief, God only seems to allow our burden to increase. Sometimes when we cry for spiritual renewal, the onslaught of sin and evil only seems to increase like a tidal surge! What then? There is a choice. We can curse God, doubt that He cares, or even conclude He does not exist. OR, we can be faithful.
Habby settled himself in the Lord and said, "the righteous will live by his faith." (Habakkuk 2:4, NIV) Wait for the purposes of the Lord. God said, "At the time I have decided, my words will come true. You can trust what I say about the future. It may take a long time, but keep on waiting— it will happen! " (Habakkuk 2:3, CEV)
Don't you hate the wait? I do! But, I will wait! Like Habby, I'll declare my faith, even when nothing around me gives support for my faith. Ponder the words that close his vision. May they inspire you to wait on the Lord, steadily and faithfully, until His purpose is fulfilled.
"I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us.
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. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." (Habakkuk 3:16-19, NIV)
As I read his writing today, the Spirit made these ancient laments a comfort to me. "How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? . . .the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted." (Habakkuk 1:4, NIV) Could we not cry this for our land? But God's answer is not what Habby expected! There is no promise of immediate revival. Instead the Lord responds "I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwelling places not their own. ...they all come bent on violence. Their hordes advance like a desert wind and gather prisoners like sand." (Habakkuk 1:9, NIV)
The inevitable conclusion was too much for Old Habby and he ask in terror and wonder,
"God, you’re from eternity, aren’t you? Holy God, we aren’t going to die, are we? God, you chose Babylonians for your judgment work? Rock-Solid God, you gave them the job of discipline? But you can’t be serious! You can’t condone evil! So why don’t you do something about this? Why are you silent now?" (Habakkuk 1:12-13, The Message)
Sometimes we don't get the 'happily ever after' answer from Heaven we want! Sometimes when we ask for relief, God only seems to allow our burden to increase. Sometimes when we cry for spiritual renewal, the onslaught of sin and evil only seems to increase like a tidal surge! What then? There is a choice. We can curse God, doubt that He cares, or even conclude He does not exist. OR, we can be faithful.
Habby settled himself in the Lord and said, "the righteous will live by his faith." (Habakkuk 2:4, NIV) Wait for the purposes of the Lord. God said, "At the time I have decided, my words will come true. You can trust what I say about the future. It may take a long time, but keep on waiting— it will happen! " (Habakkuk 2:3, CEV)
Don't you hate the wait? I do! But, I will wait! Like Habby, I'll declare my faith, even when nothing around me gives support for my faith. Ponder the words that close his vision. May they inspire you to wait on the Lord, steadily and faithfully, until His purpose is fulfilled.
"I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us.
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. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." (Habakkuk 3:16-19, NIV)
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