How does Habakkuk the prophet get hold of his message. We shall see that in these verses. But how does God get hold of the prophet? That is equally important.
In Chapter 1 , we see how God gets hold of Habakkuk's mind - then in Chapter 2 his will - and then God gets hold of his heart. God has to get hold of the whole messenger - his mind, and make him think God's thoughts - his will and make him act - his heart and make him throb with God's message.
Do you throb with God’s message?
Habakkuk believes that God is still in control of everything. God created this world and He continues to control everything in it. Although Habakkuk does have questions, he believes that his God - our God - is in control of all that is going on in the world. But he is frustrated - the ‘golden days’ of David and Solomon are over. The kingdom is divided. Habakkuk is in a minority of those who held to the old truths as revealed to Abraham and Moses. He was like a volcano - ready to erupt - and he blew his top to God.
The people of God had left the faith of their fathers - idolatry and deceit and injustice were rampant.
We need to remember that Jesus Christ the King of Kings, our Saviour and Lord, is still in control - that he is reigning and ruling - and that he is in control of the Church - and of our individual lives.
Verses 2to 4 . Habakkuk cries out to God – “Lord why is all this happening? Why are You letting everything deteriorate? Why are You permitting things to slide and become worse and worse?”
Our specific details may be slightly different, but the needs are as real – the burden can be as heavy – the prayer can be as direct – the concern as serious – because we know the gracious compassion of God is generous and plentiful.
“Lord God – Heavenly Father – we too have our questions – and we thank You that You are open to hear us – and You are ready to answer us. Gracious God, we realise the answers may not be the type of thing we want to hear – but that is our problem – not Yours. Help us O God to ask our questions – and prepare us for the answers You will speak and reveal.” 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.