Good Morning!
When was the last time you studied the book of Habakkuk? The first chapter has an abundance of similarities to what is seen in America today. Read Hababkkuk's prayer to God asking why he is seeing such terrible things happening in his country.
2 How long, Lord, must I call for help and You do not listen, or cry out to You about violence and You do not save?
3 Why do You force me to look at injustice? Why do You tolerate wrongdoing? Oppression and violence are right in front of me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict escalates.
4 This is why the law is ineffective and justice never emerges. For the wicked restrict the righteous; therefore, justice comes out perverted.
He is very observant of the actions of the people in his nation. His question is how long will God allow this stuff to happen. He tells God that He has called for help to repair his nation from all the sin and chaos and says to God that He is NOT LISTENING!
Habakkuk says there is violence breaking out all over the nation and God does not save. He uses words like "injustice and wrongdoing and oppression and violence and strife and conflict." He says that ALL of these things are happening but God is doing nothing about it. Why?
God gave to him an answer in the next verses...5-11:
5 Look at the nations and observe- be utterly astounded! For something is taking place in your days that you will not believe when you hear about it.
6 Look! I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter, impetuous nation that marches across the earth's open spaces to seize territories not it's own.
7 They are fierce and terrifying; their views of justice and sovereignty stem from themselves.
8 Their horses are swifter than leopards and more fierce than wolves of the night. Their horsemen charge ahead; their horsemen come from distant [lands]. They fly like an eagle, swooping to devour.
9 All of them come to do violence; their faces are set in determination. They gather prisoners like sand.
10 They mock kings, and rulers are a joke to them. They laugh at every fortress and build siege ramps to capture it.
11 Then they sweep by like the wind and pass through. They are guilty; their strength is their god.
Then God tells him that He is raising up another nation to bring judgment on Habakkuk's nation. He doesn't understand. Why would God use a more wicked nation to chastise his own nation...That was his question. Then God tells him that the nation that is coming against them will one day be put to an end. They will cease to exist because of God's fair judgment against them.
I have some of the same questions to God concerning my nation. All the terms used to describe what was going on in Habakkuk's nation can be used for the present-day activities in America. Seriously. There is injustice, wrongdoing, oppression, violence, and conflict in my country. Yes, there is!
I think God's message to Habakkuk is a similar message to you and me.
First, keep praying for your nation. Go to God on behalf of your nation...often.
Second, God has already made His plan and it is unfolding before our eyes. In other words...He's got this!!! We pray daily and trust Him because it's not in anyone else's control...it's in HIS control.
Third...it is a fact that leaders and officials will pass laws and judgments on us that are not fair. It will be an injustice. They feel they have the right to make decisions for us, but, we know this is only a part of God's plan. Again, just trust Him. He has promised His care for His children...US!
Habakkuk's nation had its enemies. America has its enemies. I traveled for thirty years across Europe and the Middle East and encountered many enemies of America. It is possible that before the coming of Jesus Christ that He will allow judgment to come upon America through the works of one of our enemies. With today's weakening of our military and the loss of strength of the American dollar which is strengthening our foes such as China and Russia and their alliances, we could experience them overtaking much of what we once enjoyed.
Let's learn the lesson from Habakkuk. God is in full control. In chapter two God tells Habakkuk that even political leaders will scoff at the mention of God, but, God pronounces FIVE WOES on the enemies before their destruction.
Have you read the final story of how all things will come to a screeching halt? God has already pronounced the WOES against our enemies and we are with Him on the day of VICTORY!
During these days of seemingly turbulent times...stay focused on the prize. God has it. Trust Him for His ways are best. Believe that He has everything in control...from the big worldwide problems to the smallest issue you are facing in your life. He loves you and will never lose sight of what you need.
Habakkuk concludes his letter by saying: 3:16-18...
16 I heard, and I trembled within; my lips quivered at the sound. Rottenness entered my bones; I trembled where I stood. Now I must quietly wait for the day of distress to come against the people invading us.
17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit 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,
18 YET I WILL TRIUMPH IN THE LORD; I WILL REJOICE IN THE GOD OF MY SALVATION!
Finally...keep praying for the SOON return of Jesus!
May God Bless You!
Don Betts
DBEA/campus320
DBEAWINNING.COM
TO GOD BE ALL GLORY!