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
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