Today’s Tasting: Habakkuk: The Old Testament book of Habakkuk opens with a complaint to God. Habakkuk cries out to God about the evil and violence all around him. Because he sees no end to the problem, he complains that God isn’t listening and is doing nothing about it.
God, then, answers his complaint, telling him that even though Habakkuk does not see how, God will bring an end to the situation. God tells Habakkuk He is about to bring a ruthless and impetuous people, the Babylonians, to war against Israel and take them into captivity as a punishment for Israel’s sin and rebellion against God.
Habakkuk is amazed that God would use a people worse than Israel to punish Israel. He wouldn’t have thought to punish evil with evil. God assures him that the Babylonians will not go unpunished and will in the end be defeated by God Himself.
Habakkuk ends by praising God for His eternal holiness and wisdom. He writes a song that says no matter how things appear, even in severe famine or poverty, he will praise the Lord. And, the Lord will build him up, strengthen and enable him (my paraphrase).
Today’s Nourishment: Are you disappointed sometimes when you don’t get the results you expect? Is something in your life not going the way you think it should? Do you get mad at God? Are you going along in God’s plan and praying for an open door or a change in the current situation, but not seeing the answers? Perhaps you had a deadline to meet but the deadline has come and gone with seemingly no response or provision from God. Do you have a health issue that is not going away? These situations sure frustrate me!
I recently experienced some disappointments, one after the other, after the other. I thought I was doing what God had led me to pursue, but some of the doors were closing before I could even get a chance to walk through them. I began to feel very disappointed and then very stressed. I realize now I was stressing because I wasn’t getting “my way.” I didn’t verbally complain to God like Habakkuk, but I was severely disappointed with the situation because my normal healthy eating turned to over-eating and indulging in sweets. That is a sure sign in my life that I am not really trusting God. I think I acted like a spoiled child toward Him because I didn’t get my way. Although I didn’t verbalize it directly to Him, my attitude and my behavior were wrong. Of course, that did not help my situation! Then came the time to repent before Him and wait for Him.
Can you relate to this experience? If so, take heart, God is still on the throne and He will direct your path. If there is someone who aggravates you, consider that person may be just the sandpaper you need to smooth out an attitude that isn’t pleasing to God. If that job or career you are after hasn’t materialized, keep working toward it; read, study, work toward getting better at what you are doing while you wait on Him. God has just the right position for you, but it’s all about His timing and His direction.
Like Habakkuk, you might be surprised at how God decides to handle the situation, but praise Him while you wait. Praise His eternal holiness and wisdom for He alone is God and He alone is your source.
Tomorrow’s Delight: Jeremiah 41–45
Blessings,
June Smith
San Antonio, TX
mjunesmith@gmail.com
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