Scripture
I will climb up to my watchtower
and stand at my guard post. There I will wait to see what the LORD says and how He will answer my complaint.
~Habakkuk 2:1, NLT
Quote
Electric communication will never be a substitute for one on one face to face encounters.
~Charles Dickens
Habakkuk’s ministry was in the 7th Century BC, just prior to the fall of Jerusalem. He was a contemporary of Jeremiah. Some think the prophecy was written around 612 BC. Habakkuk is burdened, actually heart broken over the sin of his nation {Judah}. He understands their spiritual hardness and their refusal to repent but he is also concerned about how God is going to handle their rebellion. The book of Habakkuk is a series of verses describing Habakkuk’s interaction with God concerning the nation.
We live in the day of instant communication. I can communicate with someone on the other side of the world and could do so in seconds with my cell phone and I could get their instant reply. In Habakkuk’s day messaging was not quick, easy or in cases even possible. In his day, they used couriers. They could use pigeons but humans were preferable. Even so, it took the couriers a long time to get to their destination, deliver the message and then bring back a reply. You could be talking hours, days, weeks, months or even years.
In Chapter one of Habakkuk, the prophet cries out to God, How long, O LORD, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. When you read Habakkuk 1:3-4 it’s like reading today’s newspaper… Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence {BLM}. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.
The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous,
so that justice has become perverted. Wow! Is this relevant or what! So Habukkak’s first question is “How long are You going to allow Judah to sin?” And his second is “Are You going to wipe us all out for the sins of some?”
In Chapter two we find our text above. Habakkuk is waiting on God’s reply. God did not give him an instant response. Habakkuk positions himself as a “watchman”. The watchman was the person who was stationed on the highest tower of the city. He watched for invading enemies but also for incoming messengers. In other word’s Habakkuk expected the LORD to respond and he was waiting anxiously.
The LORD does reply and Habakkuk doesn’t like what he hears. The Lord reveals that He is going to sovereignly raise up a “fierce and impetuous” people called the Chaldeans, rulers over the nation of Babylon, to execute judgment upon Judah for their disobedience (cf. 1:5-6). This is not music to Habakkuk’s ears. It is not what he wanted to hear. However Habakkuk accepts the message and that prompts more questions. How long will the vile and destructive Chaldeans triumph over the Jews before God punishes them for their sin? The Babylonian Empire ended in 539 BC and Judah was first evaded in 605 BC so that is 66 years if my math is correct.
Some lessons from Habukkak: [1] God does not always gives us an immediate reply; sometimes we have to wait and we must put ourselves in the right position to hear Him when He speaks. God speaks through people but He speaks more often through scripture and He speaks to me in prayer and quietness. Remember, God spoke to Israel often but they didn’t listen, so we keep our ears on.[2] God uses unbelievers to discipline believers. Habakkuk’s was blown away by the fact that God was going to use the vile Chaldeans who were not known for virtue. Today, it appears that God is using the corrupt democrats to chastise us for our disobedience. We have not been faithful and there is no use in pretending that we have. God is just and He knows what He is doing. May His will be done and may Christ get glory. How could God get glory out of this mess? The same way He got glory out of the cross.
Today’s blog prompted a lot of thought on my part. Do you want to get in touch with my granddaughter Lara; maybe for a hair appointment, good luck. She never answers her phone and if you send her a text, don’t expect an immediate reply; it is not going to happen. I wonder who she got that from? As she reminds me often, “She has a life and it’s not centered on my hair.” She is not setting by the phone waiting for me to call. I’m not saying the LORD is like myself or Lara but He is not always going to reply instantly: be patient.
Bill Southern is back home, PTL. June is home and doing well. They were late starting the surgery so we were there all day and she was tired. She has not eaten in the last 36 hours but that is not uncommon for her. The operation was a success. She now as a tinge unite implanted in her hip and back. She has a remote to control it and two chargers: one for the remote in her hand and one for the tiny generator in her hip. Jean Smith is in Rehab in Huntsville. Phillip dialysis did not work but they are trying another kind to day. He is in Cleveland Clinic, one of the best hospitals in the world. No mid-week service tonight at Grace Point. I don’t know when we will resume the mid-week service; either January 6 or 13.