206th Week, Habakkuk Intro - Chapter 3 (Click on Title for Viedo Intro)
Click on Title for Video Intro
Monday, Habakkuk Introduction
Habakkuk Intro
Delores Little
THOUGHT
We find out Habakkuk was in Jeremiah’s time. The book of Habakkuk is somewhat unique in that it includes no oracle addressed to Israel. It is a dialogue between the prophet and God.
In the first two chapters he argues with God over His ways that appear to him unfathomable, if not unjust. Having received replies, he responds with a beautiful confession of faith.
We will read about the following:
1. Habakkuk’s first complaint: “Why does the evil in Judah go unpunished?”
2. God’s Answer: “The Babylonians will punish Judah.”
3. Habakkuk’s second complaint: “How can a just God use wicked Babylon to punish a people more righteous than themselves?”
4. God’s Answer: “Babylon will be punished, and faith will be rewarded.”
5. Habakkuk’s Prayer: After asking for manifestations of God’s wrath and mercy (as he has seen in the past), he closes with a confession of trust and joy in God.
As I read this, I thought about the many times I have questioned God in things, and when I let go, saw how His ways were so much better. I’m still learning and will until the day He takes me home.
PRAYER,
Father, open the eyes of our hearts to see what You want us to see. Help us look for Your ways and not ours. Forgive us as we fall short every day of our lives. We thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to take our place. AMEN
Tuesday, Habakkuk Chapter 1
Habakkuk 1
Verse 2
Delores Little
Verse 2: “How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?”
THOUGHT
Oh how I wish I could say I never did that, but that would be one big fat lie. I have complained to God so much in my life that I cannot remember all the times. The older I get the more I am trying not to do so, but every now and then it comes out of me.
I love God’s answer in verse 5. He says, “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.”
We today are seeing things in God’s Word that years ago didn’t make much sense. Now they are being played out. Our nation is not in good shape, and most of the trouble is really a ‘God thing’ with the people. They don’t turn to Him for the answers, but try to figure everything out themselves. This is impossible especially when some of the people don’t believe in our God, The Father, Son & Holy Spirit. He is very real, and like He was telling Habakkuk, He is telling us today.
He speaks to us in His Word and prayer. We need to learn to wait upon Him and His timing not ours. Yes, sometimes we see things happen quickly when we pray and other times it takes months and years. It says in Zechariah 13:9, “I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people’, and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’”
We are being refined every day. We will come out clean before our God because of Jesus Christ and what He did on our behalf.
PRAYER
Father, forgive us for our complaining and open our minds and hearts to hear You as You speak to us through Your Word and prayer. Bless the Salt Shakers. Thank You for being with us every day. AMEN
Wednesday, Habakkuk Chapter 2
Habakkuk 2
Verses 2-4
Delores Little
Verses 2-4: Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it, 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. See, he is puffed up; his desires are not right--BUT THE RIGHTEOUS WILL LIVE BY FAITH.”
THOUGHT
I really see this now in our day as this revelation was for the end times. We are going to hear and see things we never thought would come in our day. Are we to be upset and afraid?? NO, we are to keep our eyes on the LORD and LIVE BY FAITH.
Let us go into the New Testament now.
Romans 1:17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by FAITH from the first to last, just as it is written: “THE RIGHTEOUS WILL LIVE BY FAITH.”
Galatians 3:11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “THE RIGHTEOUS WILL LIVE BY FAITH.”
Ephesians 2:8 For it is by GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED, THROUGH FAITH--and
this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.
Hebrews 10:38-39 “But my righteous one WILL LIVE BY FAITH. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him. But we are not those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.”
In this chapter it speaks of idols, stolen goods, debts, shedding of blood, and the list goes on. God gives us such hope in Him if we LIVE BY FAITH IN HIM.
PRAYER
Father, we give You the Praise and Glory as You lead us each day to do Your will and not ours. Help us to stay faithful as we do fall many times in word, thought and deed. Bless everyone and answer their prayers and meet their needs. In Jesus Name we pray. AMEN
Thursday, Habakkuk Chapter 3
Habakkuk 3
Verses 2 & 3
Delores Little
Verses 2 & 3: “Lord, I heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth.”
THOUGHT
Habakkuk remembered the stories from the time God brought His people out of bondage and through the Red Sea. He realized God can do anything. God gives us the same faith stories, and still we turn away and try to fix things our way. So many times we feel He isn’t moving quickly enough. How many times in Psalms does He say, “Wait upon the Lord”? Many times!!! See the scriptures below.
Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Psalm 103:5-6 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than a watchman waits for the morning.
Isaiah 40:31 “But those whose hope is in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Habakkuk 18-19 “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. He enables me to go to the heights.”
Now let the praise and joy come forth. That is what we should do. The devil doesn’t like us to praise the Lord and be full of joy, but God does. When things look bad, just thank and praise the Lord even if you don’t feel like it. Before you know it, you will find yourselves full of joy and smiles and rejoicing and dancing in joy before Him.
PRAYER
Father, forgive us when we complain. Fill us up with Your words of joy and peace and love and singing. Bless this week for everyone. Bless our pastors and the freedom to worship at our churches. Let us not take these for granted. In Jesus Name we ask these things. AMEN
Friday, Quiet Time
Have a conversation with our God and "Wait for Him" to answer. He can take the hard questions.
Review the scripture passages on Wednesday and Thursday.
Reread the prayers from each day this week.
Enjoy the above picture and scripture. It is one of my favorites.
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