We closed our series Habakkuk: when God doesn't seem fair yesterday, and I had one of those moments that really left me thinking and in awe of God. Read on:
Habakkuk 3:3 (nlt) --- I see God moving across the deserts from Edom, the Holy One coming from Mount Paran. His brilliant splendor fills the heavens, and the earth is filled with his praise.
At first glance there is not much there. But dig in a little deeper. Paran was the place where God took the children of Israel after they had passed through the Red Sea on dry ground. Now, that was a deeply spiritual moment to say the least. I mean you are running from a feared enemy and come to a river with no way across. Suddenly the water parts, the ground is dry, you get across and last your enemies drowned as the water comes back together.
When God took his people up on that place and gave them peace and protection, that must have been a huge moment for them. We have moments much like that in our lives. It is when we realize that God has moved, worked and been with us. Most of the time we end up praising God after because we are so overcome in the moment.
Habakkuk is speaking to God's people what God says. And what God says doesn't seem to be fair. Judgement is coming in a terrible way, but God is still God. It in those times that we must remember what God has done. Only then can we have the outcome, heart and conviction that Habakkuk did.
Habakkuk 3:16-19 (nlt) --- I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear. My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror. I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us. Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.
He heard from God. What he heard made him tremble and unsure. But what it didn't do what shake his faith. I want to have that as my testimony. How about you?
Though all else fails, I will rejoice in God who is my strength!
