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August 20th

The bible reading today is in the three chapters of Habakkuk.

“O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?”

‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Habakkuk was a contemporary of Jeremiah during the Babylonian conflict with Judah. He was one of the unnamed prophets ministering in Judah and Benjamin. Habakkuk was calling upon Judah to repent and believe God for their salvation.

This prophecy not only addresses the Judeans and the Babylonians but also includes a Q and A with God. Habakkuk was having his own “struggle of faith” in those very stressful days before Babylon showed up.

Like Jeremiah, Habakkuk apparently got his prophetic start during Josiah’s Godly reign in Judah. Spiritual revival was taking place in Judah. It wouldn't last forever, but while it did, the prophets’ ministry was more of a support role alongside young Josiah.

The spiritual reformation in Judah did not last a full generation. Idolatry began seeping back into the life of the people. The Judeans began to adopt the ways of their foreign neighbors.

Habakkuk cried out to God. “I've been trying to help the true God followers stand with the Laws of God...for the reforms in spiritual life and worship that You led Moses and Aaron and David and now Josiah to champion. But the evil kings and wicked elders in Judah that came after Josiah have desecrated the Temple, put ungodly men into the priesthood, and set up foreign idols on the Temple Mount to open the way to the wrongful worship of foreign gods.

I have cried out to You O Lord for help to restore spiritual integrity upon the throne. How long will It be before you step in and do that? I have cried, “God, See the violence taking place against the just. How long will it be before You step in and save your promised land people?”

“Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.”

‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

How long will You wait to answer my heart’s prayer? Wow, sounds a lot like some of my desperate prayers to my God Savior.

Now let’s listen to God’s answer to Habakkuk, and to all the justified who walk by faith...“LOOK among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded! For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.”

‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Look around” and see me at work...” be astounded”...” ponder the wonder and the mystery” of Me and My Working in and among my faithful...even among those who have been oppressed and bitterly treated... Believe Me...I am hearing you...your heart-rending prayers...My people will be saved...My way!

Wow sounds like Jesus speaking to Peter who rebuked the Christ when He said that He had come to suffer and die. Jesus was saying, My people will be saved...My way...my suffering... my death ...my resurrection...and my coming again...O in fewer words...I AM the WAY!

Habakkuk, in a Question and Answer time with the God Savior...prophesied the Gospel to all who would read the plain truth he was writing down...his generation of the faith all the way to ours and beyond. Awesome!

Have a great day