Hi guys, thank for joining me. Today there is one story that burns on my heart to write about. And as you listen to the song I hope that whatever your situation, you will find the peace of God that passes all understanding. I can’t explain this peace (since after all it is beyond understanding) but I do know that it comes from God to us!
This will be a bi-weekly series on Habakkuk (BTW The alternate weeks will continue to build on Jeremiah) — it will offer:
1. A song/Poem
2. The story and
3. Some discussion questions and of course the link to Habakkuk’s actual words.
Welcome to part 1 !!
Let me start the story with a quote from it’s main character, spoken in a time when things were going to go unimaginably wrong. Yes you heard me right, so wrong that if Habakkuk had not clung to God … it would have been impossible to pen them:
Read it out loud and imagine:
Even though the fig trees are all destroyed, and there is neither blossom left nor fruit; though the olive crops all fail, and the fields lie barren; even if the flocks die in the fields and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be happy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; he will give me the speed of a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.
Habakkuk Part 1 of 3: A cry in the Dark
It was a dark time in Judah. The city of God was filled with noise: Merchants haggling as they cheated their customers, judges taking bribes under the table, Landlords getting more and more while their tenants struggled to put food on the table, priests would mouth empty prayers while there hearts lusted after power. The leaders watched as the poor were crushed like dust under greedy feet.
A time when moral values could be sold to the highest bidder. A time very similar to today. (Don’t you think?)
And in the middle of it all stood Habakkuk — a prophet with eyes wide open to the rottenness. He could not stand it any longer! The weight of watching his people trade their covenant for coins and pleasures was crushing his beating heart. He looked at Temple where God’s justice and mercy should flow; and found it’s steps stained black with hypocrisy.
And so he went first to the place he knew best, where he knew his cry would be heard: And in his room he fell to his knees:
Why? Why do you let this go on? Why do you tolerate their hypocrisy? The priests speak holy words while they fatten themselves on the people’s pain. The leaders, greedy for gain, plot on their beds how to steal more, take more. The wicked hem in the righteous and pervert justice. It is wrong, everything is wrong and all I can see is strife and conflict dressed up with deceit.
Lord, do something!
He was accusing God. There was no polite formality left in habakkuk, just raw honesty.
And God answered Habakkuk.
To be continued … God’s answer is NOT what you would expect.
Some questions for your kids and family to talk about:
What is the name of the prophet in this episode?
Have you ever said the words “It’s not fair?” and if yes, what was the situation?
(You might feel a bit like Habakkuk was feeling right now, nothing was fair and right)
When something is unfair, who do you ask to ‘make it right?’
Who did Habakkuk go to with his complaint?
See you next week where we will here more about the weeping prophet, whose tears still pour out into today. If you enjoyed this don’t forget to comment, like and share so more people can discover the riches of God’s word.
‘Buy me a coffee’ is a great way for a once off donation to show your support. I hope you feel inspired and ready for more to come.
I look forward to seeing you next time.
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And if you made it this far please feel free to contact me and we can connect !!
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