May 28, 2009 - Habakkuk

Habakkuk is one of those Old Testament books that are rarely mentioned. During the retreat, the 3 short chapters of Habakkuk were our daily devotionals.

I found Habakkuk to be very interesting. It is basically a conversation between God and Habakkuk in written format. From chapter 1 to chapter 2, Habakkuk gives two complaints, which are both followed with a response from the Lord. Chapter 3 closes the book with a personal prayer from Habakkuk.

As you read Habakkuk's story, you can't help but to feel his agony. His home, Judah, was being invaded by the Babylonians, yet, knowing that God sees the entirety of this happening, does not do a single thing. Living life, hearing things from other people and experiencing them yourself, you can't help but to know what Habakkuk is going through. We know that God is all powerful and the overseer of all things, yet he will allow these bad things to happen, in this case, allowing the Babylonians to pillage Judah.

What we learn from this book ie. Habakkuk's experience is that we have no idea what God is capable of. Our minds, although seemingly high in intelligence, cannot at all comprehend the greatness that is of God.

In chapter 1 verse 5, the Lord declares:

5 "Look at the nations and watch—
and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told.

So there must be a reason, usually one that we cannot comprehend, that God is raising up these blood thirsty Babylonians. But why do it in such a cruel manner? Isn't God a God of peace and Love?

Very often, we question God's promise. The promise of salvation; eternal life to us was so easy to come by right? All we had to do was accept Jesus' sacrifice for us on the Cross.

3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
it speaks of the end
and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
it will certainly come and will not delay.

In this verse, God reminds us that His promise will most definitely come. Even though it lingers (I take this as having a hard time in life), wait for it and it will certainly come. In other words, our faith is being tested. Tested, not in the sense of cruelty, but in hope that we can pull through.

Another thing that Habakukk questions is the presense of God. Is He here or not? If He is why doesn't He do anything to stop this?

20 But the LORD is in his holy temple;
let all the earth be silent before him."

The Lord is always here with us. As kids, we probably have had our time of bad mouthing the teacher when he or she was absent, but the Lord is in his holy temple, always.

Something that I need to learn from Habakukk is the entire chapter 3. Even though he is going through bad times, he realizes that there is just no one like our God. In chapter 3, he gives the Lord endless praise. Verses 17-18 :D

All praise and glory to Him!

Amen.