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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
Habakkuk does what many do - if you answer one question, then people change to ask another question – and Habakkuk criticises what God is going to do - of course this is past history - and man today would never react in that way!
We have dismissed and rejected virtually every commandment and precept which God has given.
God's answers to life's problems do not come in foiled capsules - one for anxiety - another for health - wealth - peace. His tablets are very different.
Verses 12,13 - God, what You are and what You do must go together. Now that is good sound theology. Israel will never disappear - an everlasting God who chooses a people for Himself - for all time - can never let them be exterminated.
But God being righteous, He must punish wrongdoing.
"God You are too pure to allow the Babylonians to overcome us and conquer us."
Habakkuk thought God would look away from the sin of His people - and not allow all this to happen to Israel. No. No. God can allow this to happen - and it did.
Verse 13 . Habakkuk now accuses God of being too tolerant - and tolerating wrong. God, You can't stand by and watch - it would almost be immoral for You to do that!
God - how can You use bad people - and use them to correct Israel?
We must think we have to be corrected only by totally moral people - but that is NOT the case. How can You use corrupt people to correct Your people? And the answer comes - Never mind how - just know I can - and I will - and it has started.
Chapter 2verse 1 - Habakkuk is virtually saying to God - I dare You to do that! I am going up on the wall to see if You are going to do it – I am going to look for the Babylonians. You are too good to do that.
Habakkuk is almost sulking, as he prepares to go and see if God is going to answer his prayer in this most peculiar manner.
But he is prepared to seek God.
Verse 2 - On you go Habakkuk - you might have to sit there for quite a time. I will do it when I am ready - in My time. But Habakkuk - I have told you all this so that you could write it all down and tell the people. Put it on a poster on the walls so that those running past may see! "The Babylonians are coming!"
Don't just sit up on the wall waiting for the end to come - go and tell the world.
Don't just pray - and ask questions - but be a prophetic preacher. Preach on My behalf. God is revealing His intentions and His emotions - and explaining what is about to happen in Israel.
What shocking things is God saying today - through His prophets - through His prophetic people – through the Church of Jesus Christ?
There are times when we have to climb into our watchtower - and join Habakkuk - and ask God - and seek an answer.
Habakkuk is very human - but not once does he question the justice of God.
In Chapter 3verse 2 , Habakkuk goes on praying - for openness - for revival - for revelation - for mercy.
“Gracious loving merciful Father – because of Jesus and the Cross and Resurrection and Ascension and Pentecost, we can call you Father – because of Jesus we can bow and praise and worship and pray and address You – Abba – Daddy – the Almighty God. We do so with reverence and respect. What immense privileges we have as believers and disciples of Jesus – Father, thank You. Hear us as we intercede.” Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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