Tuesday, December 23, 2014

HABAKKUK:

Written around 607 B.C. just before Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah. He is commissioned by God to announce the coming invasion and captivity. He spends the first chapter asking God why he allows wickedness in Judah. Then when God answers that he will punish them through the Babylonians, he questions why God would use wicked people to do so.

Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? (1:13)

God then answers by defining the evil done by people and then defines what separates righteousness from unrighteousness.

"See he is puffed up; his desires are not upright - but the righteous will live by his faith..."(2:4)

Habakkuk then  spends the third chapter praising God.

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord...The sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. (3:17-19)

REVELATION 14:

 This chapter covers the 144,000 who did not fall prey to worshiping the antichrist. They began to sing a new song which no one else could learn or understand. They are described as

They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as first fruits to God and the Lamb. (14:4)

The chapter ends with two angels harvesting the earth and killing all those who have followed the antichrist.

JOURNAL:

Yesterday my oldest and I were having a discussion on yesterdays' passages. How it is so overwhelming to begin to understand someone else's life.  We were riding down the road and he asks the question "what could be going on in that person's life right now".   As we stared at the man beside us...I'm sure he wondered what was going on...I realized how pointless the thought and limited I am. Reading this morning it is evident that Habakkuk struggles with understanding God and his ways. It is not for him to remedy but only to obey.

I realize more and more how my thoughts so drift from the here and now into wondering and worrying about the future.  Trying to make plans and then when I consider all that is out of my control and out of my understanding I am reminded of Jesus' words to us regarding worry.

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34)

No kidding each day has enough trouble, and when I think about it, do I really invest all my energy and time into the day, the moment that is right here? The answer is no. One of my great enemies is distraction, I so easily can be distracted by what is next, that I miss all the richness that is right here, right now. There is an answer from yesterday...Trust God for the future and embrace all that is here now in this moment...No matter how trivial or overwhelming.  Today and this moment is where God intended me...it is not for me to question...another verse comes to mind.

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:12-13)

"God loves you! So do I! Make it a great day!"