Shame and Sinning Against Your Soul Habakkuk 2:10 - Equipped for Battle

What would it be like to have God against us? Paul the apostle wrote in the book of Romans in chapter eight and verse thirty-one: “What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?” But what if God is against us, then who could be for us? This is the way it is for the Chaldeans. God used them as His instrument of judgment against the Israelites, but they have gone to extremes and believed themselves invincible. God is bringing charges against them now, and Habakkuk is recording His words. In chapter two and verse ten Habakkuk continues God's indictment with these words:

You have consulted shame to your house by cutting off many people, and have sinned against your soul.

Sometimes when people believe themselves to have behaved in a way of personal advantage they fail to realize their behavior will come back to haunt them. By God's words the Chaldeans “have consulted shame to your house by cutting off many people.” The Chaldeans conquered many peoples and nations, and by doing so have sown the seed that will bring to themselves an abundant harvest of shame.

Not only will shame come to their own houses, but by conquering others they “have sinned against your own soul.” “Sin” or missing the mark has an impact that is reciprocal and more widespread than just the individual sinning. When we sin our sin affects others, and even when it doesn't seem so at the time, other people may also pay the price. Because we are prone to sin because of a sinful nature, God sent His son Jesus to die on the cross to pay this price, but the Chaldeans did not have this benefit. They were subject to the judgment of God, and they have sinned against their own souls.

When we desire something so badly that we will sin for it as the Chaldeans did, we open ourselves to the results for that sin. Sometimes God will allow us to choose ways that are not beneficial, and if we proceed within them, we may gain leanness within our souls. The Psalmist said it this way in Psalms chapter one hundred and six and verse fifteen:

“And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.”

Shame and sinning against oneself can be avoided if we will only keep away from sin in the first place. Perhaps today our meditation should be, “What actions and thoughts are we involved in now that would bring shame and sin upon ourselves and our families should they be known?” It would be a great idea for us all to approach the Heavenly Father and seek His help in these areas.

Next time we will look at metaphors God uses to describe complaints against the Chaldeans, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

 

Woe to Him that Covets Habakkuk 2:9 - Equipped for Battle

The indictment against the Chaldeans is in, and God is making his case. They have been used as His instrument against the Israelites, and now their pride and greed has been their downfall. Habakkuk is writing as our Heavenly Father shares His retribution and reasons against the Chaldeans, and His charges against them are great. We have the benefit of peering into the allegations raised against the Chaldeans so we can examine our own lives in light of them. Habakkuk continues his recording in Habakkuk chapter two and verse nine where he wrote:

Woe to him that covets an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!

Most who read this verse will think of the tenth commandment, “You shall not covet” which is often the basis by which many of the other commandments are broken. God makes the case against the Chaldeans once again as He declares their drive for wealth and honor. He says, “Woe to him that covets an evil covetousness to his house”. Notice it is done for his family. The idea is that he desires to advance the status of his family, give them a higher name, change their station, “that he may set his nest on high.” In other words they are not content with such things as they have, but they desire to have more to position themselves above others. In this case the coveting Chaldeans had no problem whatsoever putting down others so that they themselves might advance. The end justified the means in their case, and if other people were put to disadvantage because of it, so be it. This behavior brings a “woe” from God through Habakkuk. Warning is posted, and God is alert to their actions.

God continues through Habakkuk, “that he may be delivered from the power of evil!” One of the reasons people are covetous is because they believe that should they advance they will be out of the reach of danger. They believe that if they somehow gain a certain status or station that evil will not prevail against them. They will have protected themselves from those who would do them harm, and their lives will be out of reach from those who mean them wrong. How many times have we seen examples of those who thought themselves to be safe brought to the very endangerment they hoped to avoid. Security was their goal, but there really is no other security other than God, and to this we need nothing to add. The Chaldeans disregarded God, and the result was their own personal pursuits through covetousness.

We may learn a lot from this verse. First, God gives “woe” or warning against covetousness. Second, God does not take lightly those who seek to advance their station by destroying others, and finally that God is our only security and the idea of obtaining more of this world's goods only provides an illusion of safety. We do ourselves more good to “covet earnestly the best gifts” as Paul the apostle wrote in the book of First Corinthians chapter twelve and verse thirty one. All other material goods and stations provide a false hope that pales in light of the safety provided for those who are in a relationship with God.

Next time we will look more into what God has to say about the end result to covetousness, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

 

The Spoilers Will be Spoiled Habakkuk 2:8 - Equipped for Battle

In our past teachings we have learned about the law of reciprocity. The apostle Paul wrote in the book of Galatians in chapter six and verse seven,

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.”

Habakkuk came to the realization that he did not have to understand everything that God knew and was doing in order to simply trust in Him. That is, “the just shall live by his faith.” Now as God begins to relay to him what He will do to the Chaldeans Habakkuk's understanding is enlightened, and we see that God has a plan even when He does not appear to have one. Habakkuk wrote in chapter two and verse eight:

Because you have spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil you; because of men's blood, and [for] the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

The Chaldeans were mighty conquerors. They destroyed cities and pillaged village after village. After a while they became so confident within themselves that they believed themselves impervious to anyone's attack. They forgot about God. God said through Habakkuk, “Because you have spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil you.” The Chaldeans spoiled “many”, and now “all the remnant” will spoil them. They have sown to the wind, and now they will reap the whirlwind. There is no way for someone to continue in a prideful, manipulative, conquest oriented, disrespecting way and get away with it. The all-seeing, all-knowing and omnipresent God is watching. God saw the behavior of the Chaldeans toward the other nations, and now judgment has come for them.

Habakkuk continues, “because of men's blood”, (For we Bible students, do we not remember how God said to Cain in the book of Genesis chapter four and verse seven, “And he said, What have you done? the voice of your brother's blood cries unto me from the ground.” ) God heard the cries of the pillaged and killed, and nothing could mute the sound of their souls.

Habakkuk wrote, “and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.” Violence was rampant. It was in the land, the city and among the people who lived in them. Today we might liken it people who constantly are a menace to others in the world. Conflict is constant, and without a day going by they have another fight ensued or percolating. Their very nature is beastly, and they cannot survive without inciting another skirmish, battle or war. The Chaldeans were this way. They had the insatiable desire to continue in their triumphs, and they had no regard for those they were conquering. But God did, and now His spoiling will begin because of it.

There is no way for people who do not bring their sins before an Almighty forgiving Heavenly Father to be forgiven. Jesus made provision for every person's sins by dying on the cross no matter how dreadful they may be. The Chaldeans were not repentant in the least, so they reaped the wrath of God. People do not have to suffer the retribution and judgment of God if they will simply turn their lives over to Him. However, many do not, and as the Chaldeans, they shall reap what they have sown. We must wonder today what would have happened if the Chaldeans had repented of their evil deeds? Would God have changed His mind and forgiven them? We may never know the answer to that question, however we can know as John the apostle wrote in First John chapter one and verse nine,

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

May we ever be about His forgiveness and not about His spoiling.

Next time we will explore the summations that God makes about those who have the traits of the Chaldeans, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

 

Suddenly Bit, Vexed and Bootied Habakkuk 2:7 - Equipped for Battle

Have we ever known anyone who seems to get away with anything they do no matter how wicked it is? It seems like there is no punishment at hand and that no one even cares or bothers to alter their behavior in any manner at all. They seem to be “getting away with it”, and even when it looks like they will be caught, they manage somehow to escape. This often results in a “ten feet tall and bullet proof” attitude that makes the one escaping feel impervious to anyone's judgment. Such was the case with the Chaldeans. Because they were used by God as instruments of judgment against Israel's wickedness, they now thought themselves beyond the hand of retribution. They were wrong, and Habakkuk wrote about how things will quickly change for them in chapter two and verse seven of his book. He wrote:

Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite you, and awake that shall vex you, and you shall be for booties unto them?

A sudden change of plans, a quick alteration to one's path, an “out of nowhere” development was awaiting the Chaldeans. The charge and question of God was, “Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite you.” The Chaldeans were proud, egotistical, and thought of themselves to be beyond the correction of any. However, they forgot about God. The Heavenly Father who has used them for judgment now easily uses another against them. The “bite” of another group will be severe, and the execution of it will be expeditious.

In addition to being bit suddenly, God asks, “and awake that shall vex you.” The opponent is asleep for the moment, and no one knows that his awakening is on the horizon. Soon the sleeping giant will arise, and when he does, judgment will come upon those who once judged. The Chaldeans were a strong people, but these people will be stronger. There is no binding of the strong man until the stronger man comes along. Like weapons of warfare that progressively outperform each other, this waking giant will bring vexation of spirit, body and soul to the prideful Chaldeans.

Finally God says through Habakkuk, “you shall be for booties unto them?” In other words, the Chaldeans would be looted when they are conquered. All the accumulations during the Chaldeans conquest will be the property of another nation. The temporal holding and using of the material possessions gained will suddenly be lost. As Proverbs chapter twenty-three and verse four and five say:

Labor not to be rich: cease from your own wisdom. Will you set your eyes upon that which is not? for [riches] certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

As quickly as the riches and wealth of others was gathered, they fled away from the Chaldeans. The treasures gained by the Chaldeans were soon to vanish as Habakkuk writes of God's retaliation toward them.

But what about us? Have we ever experienced sudden alteration in our paths? Do we have confidence in the temporal as the Chaldeans did? Are their confidences within us of Earthly and Worldly things that can vanish much more quickly than they came? In light of the sudden alteration that can appear in our lives, what should we be investing our time, efforts and resources in? As a meditation on these verses today perhaps the words of Paul the apostle in the book of Colossians in chapter three and verse two are appropriate. He wrote:

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Where does our “affection” lie?

Next time we will consider more of what God has to say about the Chaldeans, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

 

Parables and Proverbs Against Him Habakkuk 2:6 - Equipped for Battle

Habakkuk has come to the understanding that even when he doesn't know what God is doing, he can trust Him. Now as Habakkuk's faith is established in the all-knowing God, he listens as the Heavenly Father shares what will happen to the Chaldeans after they are used for judgment. We saw in yesterday's verse the Chaldean's pride and greed and their insatiable desire to add to their conquests. These traits have become their downfall, and so God continues to tell Habakkuk what will happen as a result of their ways. He wrote in Habakkuk chapter two and verse six:

Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increases [that which is] not his! how long? and to him that lads himself with thick clay!

Any time God “takes up a parable” or “a taunting proverb” through surrounding nations against anyone, it is not a comfortable position. Although Habakkuk has concluded that God surely would not use the evil Chaldeans for judgment, Habakkuk only made this conclusion because he didn't have full understanding. God is against the Chaldeans, and His full purposes for them are beyond what Habakkuk knows. The nations who were once downtrodden by the Chaldeans shall be the same ones who set parables and proverbs against them.

God tells Habakkuk the proverb, “Woe to him that increases that which is not his”. Theft by the Chaldeans brings “Woe” from God. Anytime there is a “woe” in one's life, it means there is great warning of trouble ahead. Although the Chaldeans may think themselves beyond the reach of God, His power is close at hand. He's watching. He cares, and that which seems to go unpunished is in the forefront of God's thoughts.

The Chaldeans and those who trust in riches only insulate themselves with that which God through the surrounding nations call “thick clay.” The wealth they have obtained by theft of their neighbors is temporary, and even if it seems like a delay in eradication, judgment is certain to come. Although they believed themselves to be impervious to any outside attack, the Chaldeans are not beyond the reach of God. We all would do well to consider the fate of these Chaldeans as we move among others in the world.

A parable, or an Earthly story; A taunting proverb or a phrase created as a result of behavior are declared as vindication by God through the nations against the Chaldean people. As we consider their plight, what are the behaviors of others to which we are entrusting God? Who has done evil against us to whom we wonder if anyone truly cares? Can we rely upon an all-knowing God who brings retribution in His own timing, or will we continue on our path of non-surrender to which we make ourselves miserable in the process? May the Lord and His ways lead us in our meditation about all these things.

Next time we will continue to look at God's prophetic word concerning the Chaldeans, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

 

Transgression, Pride, and Greed Habakkuk 2:5 - Equipped for Battle

The difficulty with success is that it brings with it a sense of self-assurance and pride that sometimes gets us in trouble. Whenever bravado occurs because of personal accolades, temptation arises, and many people fall. Such is the case with the Chaldeans who were going to be used by God for justice against the wicked in Habakkuk's day. Habakkuk has declared that the just shall live by faith, and every dependence upon one's own understanding of everything must be relinquished to recognize the superiority of God. Today Habakkuk shows the flaws in those who do not follow after God but rather choose themselves as their own credit for success. He wrote in Habakkuk chapter two and verse five:

Yes also, because he transgresses by wine, [he is] a proud man, neither keeps at home, who enlarges his desire as hell, and [is] as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathers unto him all nations, and heaps unto him all people:

Notice the first indictment against those who trust in themselves, “he transgresses by wine”. In other words, drunkenness has overtaken him. There is much to say about those who find themselves so accomplished that they believe themselves imperious to mind altering chemicals. Proverbs chapter twenty and verse one says:

Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Those who are successful often find themselves given over to indulgences that influence their thinking, and the ones Habakkuk is considering are doing just this.

Next because he is transgressing by wine, “he is a proud man, neither keeps at home.” The trouble with winning is that it carries with it a sense of pride. This isn't so bad unless it is unbridled, out of control, and perpetuated by the need for another victory. The Chaldeans were known for their brutal defeat of surrounding cities and nations. They were lifted up in pride as they conquered one city after another. They were not satisfied to stay at home with the victories already gained. They were proud, boastful, and were discontented with the status quo. This lead to their next trait.

In addition to being influence by wine, prideful, and wandering, the Chaldeans are those who “enlarges his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied.” In other words, they are greedy. Whatever they have is never enough. Just as hell and death are never satisfied, neither are they satisfied. As Proverbs chapter twenty-seven and verse twenty says:

Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Each victory for the Chaldeans only fueled the desire for another victory, and just as there are those who are never contented no matter how much they gain, the Chaldeans were also insatiable to the point they could never be satisfied.

Finally as a result of their drunkenness and pride, greed and discontent, Habakkuk states “but gathers unto him all nations, and heaps unto him all people:” World conquest was the Chaldeans' desire. They would never be satisfied until the whole world was under their thumb. We can look to history to find figures who were much like these Chaldeans. The question is, where are they today? Of course there are a few people in the world who seem to have the same desires as these Chaldeans. They have been somewhat successful, so they are given to much wine. They are proud, because by all means everyone would be so great if they were as accomplished, and they are never content but constantly greedy for the next thing. If we think about these traits long enough, we may find areas of our own lives that need to be brought into submission before the throne of God lest we too find ourselves on the opposite end of the spectrum of those who trust in, rely upon, and cling to the Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus.

Next time we will take a look at what Habakkuk says will happen to the ones who have these traits, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

 

The Just Shall Live by Faith – Part 2 Habakkuk 2:4 - Equipped for Battle

Yesterday we began to study one of the most important verses in the whole Bible. We observed how Habakkuk finally understood that in order for a person to come to right thinking, he or she had to put away pride and self-sufficiency. Today we will consider how we are to live before God when our focus is no longer upon our understanding, but upon God Almighty who knows everything we need. Once again Habakkuk said in verse four of chapter two:

Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

The Chaldeans being used as instruments of judgment against the wicked of Israel went beyond Habakkuk's understanding, and although God told him in advance that he would not believe His ways, Habakkuk listened to and argued with God and His choices. There are many times we do not understand all the ways of God. His ways are beyond our ways, and in fact, many times they go beyond our finding out. This is where the second part of our verse comes in: “but the just shall live by his faith.” In other words, just people live by faith. Faith is an indicator as to whether a person is just or not. We considered the importance of this truth to Paul the apostle as he wrote in Galatians chapter three and verse eleven:

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Paul the apostle had lived as a Pharisee among Pharisees who were the most religious people of his day. He lived outwardly by the laws of God, but inwardly Paul did not know God. Paul was following a religious system that was based upon man's understanding of God and not a relationship with God that was based upon faith. Habakkuk and Paul came to understand that even when they did not understand the ways of God, God did. The Heavenly Father who is all-knowing is to be trusted in, relied upon, and clung to by those who will have a relationship with Him.

It is interesting how we are easy to believe those who have more knowledge than we when it comes to repairing our automobiles, medical care, home maintenance and other venues that require expertise, but when it comes to trusting God, we seem to have trouble. We trust our lighting systems even if we know nothing about electricity, and we certainly put a lot of faith in computers, cell phones and other technological devises even though we may not be able to understand how they work. Yet when we are without understanding with our omniscient God, we find difficulty in simply having faith in Him.

Habakkuk came to a place where he trusted God, and not his own understanding. As Solomon wrote in the book of Proverbs in chapter three and verses five and six:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.

If we are to have a relationship with God, we must come to Him in faith. All of our questions will not be answered otherwise it would not be by faith. Habakkuk and Paul understood that the wisest decision that we can ever make is to trust in a God who knows more than we do, understands more than we do, and has a better plan than we do or ever will have for our lives.

Next time we will begin to examine the vision that was given to Habakkuk to write down, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

 

The Just Shall Live by Faith Habakkuk 2:4 - Equipped for Battle

So far in our study of the book of Habakkuk, we have found Habakkuk not understanding why God doesn't do anything about wickedness that he finds all around Him. God tells Habakkuk that he has a solution, but even if He told Habakkuk, he wouldn't believe it. God was right, and when He exposed to Habakkuk His plan to use the Chaldeans to execute judgment upon Israel, Habakkuk complained, argued and gave reason after reason to God as to why this was a confusing plan. Finally Habakkuk became quiet, began to watch and listen, and when God revealed to him the truth, Habakkuk responded with one of the foundational verses within the Christian faith. He said in verse four of chapter two:

Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Habakkuk said, “the just shall live by his faith”, but before we get to that more well-known portion of this verse, let's look at the beginning of it first. Habakkuk wrote, “Behold” or look upon, stare at, concentrate on this, “his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him.” In other words, the prideful man has something wrong with his soul. His soul is “lifted up” and filled with so much pride that he thinks himself to know more than God. His soul “is not upright”, not straight, level, just, right or righteous within him. The one who believes him or herself to know more than God is filled with pride, and their soul is off balance. The first step to believing and trusting God is that pride and self-assurance must go. There has to be a release of that which is within our mental faculties in order for God to take preeminence within our lives.

Next Habakkuk says, “but the just shall live by his faith.” This small phrase turned Martin Luther so deeply that reformation began, and the Protestant faith was begun. It is repeated by Paul the apostle in the book of Galatians chapter three and verse eleven:

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

It is the foundation for Christianity, and those who come to have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ know this to be true. It is by faith that we believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins on the cross, rose from the dead three days later, and has made provision for all who will believe in Him to have eternal life with Him someday. The reason cannot be fully explained, and if a person is looking to know everything about it before he or she believes, they will never believe. Habakkuk understood in his final appraisal that God knew everything. He didn't. Habakkuk understood that God has plans that Habbakuk knows nothing about, and he certainly does not understand. This gives cause for faith.

The writer of Hebrews put it this way in chapter ten and verse thirty eight:

Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

And he wrote again in chapter eleven and verse six:

But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

There is so much more to write and study about this awesome verse, so we will continue it later. For now let it suffice us to meditate upon the fact that God has a solution for everything, and in order to get to the place of believing this, we must discard our pride, and look to Him in every circumstance.

We will continue this verse tomorrow, so read it again, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

 

The Vision Will Come Habakkuk 2:3 - Equipped for Battle

If we think about it for a moment, we can probably remember when we were children the promise of Christmas coming. As a child, Christmas seemed like it was forever away, but as adults, we may be in shock to realize that we are almost at that time again. The difference is relative to the percentage of time that has passed. As a five year old child, one year is twenty percent of one's life, but at fifty years old, a year is only two percent. As sure as Christmas is soon coming again, we see in our verse from Habakkuk today, chapter two and verse two, the words of God to Habakkuk about the fulfillment of His promises. Habakkuk wrote:

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.

First God tells Habakkuk, “the vision is for an appointed time.” God has His “appointed time” for different events on the Earth. There is no altering it. It is His appointed time. He owns it, and He is responsible for it. Habakkuk has been standing on his watch, setting on a tower, and listening for God to speak, and now God let's him know that the vision of the Chaldeans conquering Israel has an appointed time. We Bible students might be reminded of the words of the writer of the book of Hebrews in chapter nine and verse twenty-seven when he wrote”

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

As ominous as these words are we know that God's timing may not be the same as ours, but it is nonetheless appointed and according to His plan. God's vision to Habakkuk would be fulfilled, and it would come to pass according to His timing.

Next God says to Habakkuk, “but at the end it shall speak, and not lie.” In other words, this vision will not be just phantom words. As surely as God has spoken, this vision will come to pass. So many times promises are made by people and never fulfilled. This is not the case with God. As it is written in the book of Numbers in chapter twenty-three and verse nineteen:

God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: has he said, and shall he not do [it]? or has he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Men may lie or be unable to keep their word, but God does not. When He declares something will be, it will be. In this case Habakkuk is listening to God declare His character.

Not only is this vision for an appointed time and it will certainly come to pass, God tells Habakkuk, “though it tarry, wait for it.” Waiting is probably one of our greatest challenges. We generally desire things “right now”. Most people want what they want, when the want, how they want and where the want whatever it is, right now. God says to Habakkuk, there may be some delay in this promise, as there usually is with God, and Habakkuk, you must wait. What is it in our lives that God has promised for which we must wait?

Finally God says to Habakkuk, “because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” What God has spoken will come to pass, and since God has an eternal perspective it gives Him distinct advantage in seeing that which will be as though it already is. When He declares “it will surely come”, He already sees it happening and reports upon what He sees. “It will not tarry”, delay, hesitate, defer or remain behind. God's promises are true, and even if Habakkuk or we do not understand what God is doing, He still continues that which He purposes to do. Paul the apostle probably said it best in the book of Second Corinthians chapter one and verse twenty:

For all the promises of God in him [are] yes, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Next time we will see Habakkuk's response to what God has said and learn one of the most important lessons in life, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

 

Write it Down and Make it Plain Habakkuk 2:2 - Equipped for Battle

Whenever we are reading the Bible, it is a good idea to take down some notes. If we open our sensory faculties as well as listening to the Spirit of God teach us, writing notes only helps us to gain a greater understanding of what God has to say to us personally through His word. Such is the case with Habakkuk as he begins to stop everything and simply listen to God. Habakkuk has been in a testing place as he has not understood the ways of God thus far in his book, and now he is ready to hear what God has to say. Let's look at the words of the Lord to Habakkuk in chapter two and verse two:

And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make [it] plain upon tables, that he may run that reads it.

Let's imagine ourselves in Habakkuk's position for a moment. We have stood upon our watch, set upon a tower, and quieted ourselves to hear God speak, and He answers us. What a moment that must have been for Habakkuk, but then look at God's first words to Him, “Write the vision”. This was such an important vision that God desired that Habakkuk write it down. It is amazing how many things we can easily forget if we do not simply write them down, particularly when it comes to spiritual things. We are the beneficiaries of Habakkuk's writing today. Are we not glad he wrote it down?

Next the LORD said, “and make it plain upon tables”. In other words, make it simple. Engrave it upon tables in such a way that everyone may understand it. It is important that the Bible is taught simply so that everyone within its hearing may comprehend what God is saying through His word. Too often complication is added, and many go away from the Bible and use the excuse, “the Bible is too hard to understand.” We must share the scriptures and the gospel within them so simply that even a child could understand them. This is the case with Habakkuk. God tells him not only to write down the vision, but to also make it plain.

Finally God gives the reason for writing the vision and making it plain. He said, “that he may run that reads it.” The idea portrayed here is not that the one who reads it may run away when he reads it, but rather that he may run with it when he does. In other words, he becomes a talebearer of the vision that is presented. He becomes a witness and gives testimony to what he has read. When the Bible is presented in a simple fashion, it makes it easy for a person to pass it along to another. This vision from God is going to be so important that people will be wanting to share it with others.

So let's examine ourselves today in light of these words of Habakkuk. Have we stopped to listen to God lately? If so, what have we heard from Him? Is the message or vision from Him one that we should write down? Is the word from Him one that may be written so simply that others will desire to share it with people they know? It is one thing to read and listen to the Bible, and it is quite another to begin to share what we have learned with someone else. Perhaps today we should simply stop everything, listen to our Heavenly Father, have our pen and papers in hand, and be ready for that which we are about to hear or see.

Next time we will learn more of this vision that is so important from God to Habakkuk, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

 

Standing, Watching and Listening Habakkuk 2:1 - Equipped for Battle

What is the best thing for us to do whenever we do not understand what God is doing or not doing in our lives? Habakkuk gives us an answer to that question. Habakkuk is in that place of lack of understanding in his book, and for the life of him he cannot rationalize how God could choose a much more evil nation than his own to bring judgment upon wickedness. He's perplexed. He's made arguments to God as to why this should not be. He has appealed to God's nature, the enemies lack of character and unholiness, and he cannot understand why God could use an ungodly nation like the Chaldeans as his agent of change. Today we observe what Habakkuk did when he did not understand, and if we look closely, we may find one of the best positions for us to take when we are dismayed at God. Habakkuk wrote in chapter two and verse one:

I will stand upon my watch, and set upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

Habakkuk first retreats and decides that he is simply going to “stand upon my watch.” As a diligent guard who watches over a city to protect it, Habakkuk is on watch duty. He has stopped the arguing. He has stopped making appeals, and now his decision is to simply watch.

Next Habakkuk chooses to “set upon the tower”. He takes a high vantage point, and rather than seek the position of the ground level, he chooses to be in a place that gives a greater perspective. Rather than beckon his own understanding, he now sets himself in a place to know the mind of God. Resignation to ones own discernment is primary to gaining another's thoughts, and especially with God, we must relinquish our own mind to gain His.

In addition to standing upon his watch and setting upon the tower, Habakkuk next “will watch to see what he will say unto me.” The first two actions were outward. This one is inward. The quietness of the soul is primary when comes to hearing God. Many times the distractions of the world must be removed for us to hear what God would say to us. Habakkuk knew this, and he has placed himself in a posture of humility within and aloneness without to hear God speak to his spirit.

Finally Habakkuk states, “and what I shall answer when I am reproved.” This is probably one of the most revealing lines for us in the whole book thus far. Habakkuk understands that there must be some mistake within his own thinking rather than in God's. In other words, Habakkuk's mind needed to be altered. God is always right, and whenever we think He is not, we are the ones in need of change, not Him. Habakkuk has retreated to a physical position, resigned to an emotional position, and bowed his spiritual position to allow a redirecting of his mind to align with God's.

When we have a lack of understanding like Habakkuk, we can go to the book of Psalms in chapter forty-six and verses one and ten for guidance and position of how we are to be. King David of Israel wrote these words:

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (v1)

“Be still and know that I am God.” (v10)

There is no greater position for us to maintain than to know God is our refuge (a place of hiding and comfort); our strength (when we are weak); and a very present help in trouble. (He's always with us.) When we keep our minds fixed upon these three attributes of God, it is much easier to be still and know that He is God and that no matter what, He has all things under His command.

Next time we will see God's answer to Habakkuk as Habakkuk waits to hear from Him, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

 

Not Sparing to Slay the Nations Habakkuk 1:17 - Equipped for Battle

Let's imagine for a moment that there was a tyrant nation in the world who desired to destroy and control every other nation. What would that be like? What would we think of them? This is the argument that Habakkuk has been using with God as he tries to understand why God would use such a horrible nation to bring judgment against his people. Habakkuk's ways are not God's ways, and God's ways are beyond his finding out. Although God told him that he would not believe Him, even if He told Habakkuk that He was going to bring judgment against the wicked in Habakkuk's nation, Habakkuk is now overwhelmed at God's choice for justice. Habakkuk continues his argument against the Chaldeans in the last verse of the first chapter of this book with one final question for God. He wrote in verse seventeen:

Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?

Habakkuk wonders, “shall they therefore empty their net”. The idea is to fill, empty, and refill their nets or conquer, regroup, and conquer again. The Chaldeans were known for destroying nation after nation that was in their path. Their reputation was that as soon as they conquered one place, they would move on to the next. Habakkuk wonders why God would allow such a thing. Habakkuk knows that his nation is bad, but these Chaldeans are obviously much worse and they never stop their destroying.

In addition to emptying their nets and conquering again, Habakkuk questions, “and not spare continually to slay the nations?” This barbaric nation of the Chaldeans has no mercy, no compassion, and they have little regard for human life. There is no sparing with them, and the perpetuity of their conquests of nations continues one nation after another. They seem to Habakkuk as unbridled evil that never has their thirst for conquering satisfied. This is almost too much for Habakkuk to reconcile in his mind.

Have we ever questioned God's ways? Have we wondered how God could use this group of people or that person to do His will? Have we ever been amazed that God would carry out His justice against the wicked with more wicked folks than those originally presented? Then we have a sense of what Habakkuk is feeling and wondering at this time. He has tried argument after argument and persuasion after persuasion to convince God that He is making a mistake, and although God knew Habakkuk would not believe His justifying work, God is still in control.

Once again we are brought to the idea of faith in God in our own lives. The question is, “Can we trust God even when we do not know what He is doing?” Habakkuk struggled with this, and perhaps we do too. As we continue to discover what Habakkuk finds as he searches this question in his own heart, maybe we have areas which we must simply trust God in our own lives. As we identify with Habakkuk and learn more from his book, may the Lord Jesus bless us all with the ability to trust in Him no matter what we do or do not understand.

Next time we will see Habakkuk's decision as he tries to reconcile all of his thoughts about God, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

 

Worshiping Nets and Drags Habakkuk 1:16 - Equipped for Battle

People generally have confidence in whatever has brought them success. Some boast of education. Others give accolades to their background, and still others praise their looks, physical ability or station in life. In other words, the tendency for most is to “worship” or “give praise to” that which they believe brought gain their way. Such is the noted behavior of what Habakkuk says the Chaldeans will do in today's verse. As Habakkuk continues his defense and argument before God as to why the Chaldeans should not be used for judgment against Israel, he wrote in verse sixteen of chapter one:

Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion [is] fat, and their meat plenteous.

Habakkuk's latest metaphor to describe the Chaldeans is that they are like fishermen who easily catch fish in their nets. Yesterday we learned that they not only catch men singularly, but also with nets and dragging nets. Now Habakkuk shares their reaction to their catch: “Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag.” That is, they worship them. How many times have we seen credit given to something other than the one to whom credit is due. In this case remember that it is the Lord God in Heaven who chose the Chaldeans, and He gave them the ability and access to conquer in the first place. It is not unlike the person who has surgery and then walks into the doctor's office and begins to praise the scalpel while the doctor is in the room. They might say, “Oh glorious scalpel. You have done such a wonderful job for me. You have made just the right incision, and now I am all better because of you.” This, I'm sure, would take the surgeon off guard, and he or she would probably wonder if the person giving praise should next visit the psychiatric ward. But giving credit and praise to things other than God Himself seems to be second nature for most.

Habakkuk next writes, “because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous.” The idea is that they give praise to their nets and drags because they attribute their fullness or completeness to their tools. They have fat portions. They have plenty of meat, and their supply certainly came from the nets and drags, right? Wrong. Their supply came from the Lord. So many times people forget who provides and protects them. They forget that there would be no provision if it were not for God above. They believe themselves to be solely responsible for their advancement, gain, and promotion, and thus, they give praise to something other than God. This is the case with the Chaldeans according to Habakkuk, and he cannot understand why God who knows they are this way would allow them to conquer his people.

Where do we attribute our successes today? Where do we point our praise? Is it in our accomplishments, our training, our education or position? Is it our hard work, fortitude, bravery or determination? Are these none other than our “nets and drags” or are they simply tools through which the Heavenly Father above has blessed us, and ultimately all praise is due unto Him? Maybe this should be our soul searching today as we learn more and more about attributes that Habakkuk believed were undesirable in those whom God chose to use.

Next time we will look at the final argument in this chapter from Habakkuk, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

 

Take, Catch and Gather Habakkuk 1:15 - Equipped for Battle

Habakkuk is stunned, and he has little understanding as to why God would use people as horrible as the Chaldeans to be His agent of judgment against Israel. Habakkuk knows God to be everlasting, holy, pure and unable to look upon iniquity, and he is having trouble comprehending how God could allow evil people to prevail over them. He has likened Israel to fish and creeping things that are easy to be captured, and he sees that God is going to let the wicked Chaldeans do the gathering. In verse fifteen of the first chapter of his book, Habakkuk continues the metaphor of fishing. He wrote:

They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad.

First Habakkuk wrote, “they take up all of them with the angle”. The “angle” is a hook, and like a fisherman who casts his line into the water to catch a fish, so will the Chaldeans do to the Israelites. This is a single fish effort in most cases, and quite possibly refers to picking off opponents one at a time. We will notice the progression in volume as Habakkuk continues.

In addition to taking them up with a hook, Habakkuk says, “they catch them in their net.” More fish are usually caught at one time with a net than a hook. Now Habakkuk believes that the Chaldeans will progressively grow in their assaults and take groups of people at at time, but he's not finished yet.

Not only will the Chaldeans take them with a hook and catch them in their net, but they will also “gather them in their drag.” Some of us may have been involved in a massive catch of fish that is so large that it appears that the nets will break because of the haul. This is the idea from Habakkuk in this phrase. Like the disciples who in the book of Luke, chapter five and verse six it says, “And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.” This refers to the masses in Israel that will be conquered by the Chaldeans, and now we see the progression of Habakkuk in his argument. First he likens the conquest to a single catch. Then he sees the Chaldeans catching them in their nets. Finally Habakkuk sees a massive gathering of the children of Israel into the Chaldean's drag. Isn't it amazing how we can elevate and sometimes exaggerate our future when we are appealing for it to be different?

One last thought brings us to Habakkuk's summation as to how the Chaldeans will be because of this progression, “therefore they rejoice and are glad.” If we think about it long enough we may may able to hear Habakkuk's tone of aggravation with these Chaldeans. There is nothing worse than being beat and then having the opposing team rejoicing in our face over the fact that they beat us. Imagine as we often see today the haughtiness of those who simply conquer a small property and people that they consider to be their enemies. Sometimes they are dancing in the streets, yelling antagonistic phrases, and firing off weapons or fireworks to celebrate their victory. Imagine Habakkuk's sick stomach over the thoughts of this victory being from his people's defeat.

It is interesting to note Habakkuk's acceleration of argument as he appeals to God against the Chaldean choice. It's as if he thinks that by making greater and greater arguments he will alter God's mind, but nonetheless Habakkuk's words are useless except for giving him a venue to vent. We have to wonder when we do not understand what God is doing, do we too try with accelerated appeal to change His mind? Do we make arguments, then greater arguments, and then even greater arguments to the point of exaggeration to make God choose differently? Or do we simply bow before Him and say, “God, you know what is best, and I humbly bow before your choices for my life?”

Next time we will see more of Habakkuk's accelerated arguments against God's decision, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore