WRESTLING. WAITING. WORSHIP

Hello, and how is the New Year going for you so far? Are you keeping up with your goals and the decisions you’ve made? I’m trying.

I thought it would be a good idea to read through the Minor Prophets of the Bible this year. There are twelve of them. 

Have you ever read the book Habakkuk (ha buh cook) in the Old Testament?

It’s an excellent study for any one of us who might be wondering, where is God? Why isn’t he seeing what I’m going through and doing something about it? 

It’s three short chapters and a gem of a book.

Let me share what I’ve learned and encourage you to open your Bible and study independently.

First, this book is a dialogue between Habakkuk and God. A Prophet’s main role was to make known the word of God to the people and nations often calling people to turn their back on sin, repent and come back to God. However, Habakkuk’s role was a bit different.

Habakkuk, in some ways, reminds me of the book of Job because Job challenged God’s justice, and God replied.

(The wrestling)

In chapter one, Habakkuk says, “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?”

Do you ever feel like that? Here begins his verbal wrestling.

When things are not looking so good in the world or your life, you may feel tempted to say, Lord, do you see? Are you listening? How long are you going to let this happen?

Habakkuk finds himself in this situation and asks why God allows evil to exist.

If you, God, are Sovereign, then why do wicked people seem to thrive?

Habakkuk really laments over the dark and evil world. He believes God isn’t concerned. Can you relate?

Isaiah 55:6-11 (ESV)

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways, my ways. Declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but to water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the Sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; It shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and it shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

God always has a plan. And we humans struggle to understand it. 

Habakkuk wasn’t in a good place. There was a lot of evil, injustice, and idolatry in the world. (it sounds like our world today, doesn’t it)? 

The Jewish people were in rebellion against God.

So, God would use the Babylonians (their enemies) as an instrument of correction to spank the people he loved. (I can almost hear someone shouting. What, that’s not fair!)

Habakkuk didn’t like that answer either.

He questions God again. Do you mean to tell me you’re going to use wicked people to correct a people more righteous than they are?

Verse 12- “Are you not from everlasting O Lord my God my Holy One?” 

(The waiting)

I believe in asking God the hard questions. He holds the answers. I also realize God is not obligated to answer how I want him to or how I think He should.

 It’s okay to ask God questions. He can handle them. Through the Bible, many of His children ask why?

God doesn’t directly answer Habakkuk when he raises the second question, not in the story here.

But In Chapter 2, God does tell Habakkuk how to live when he doesn’t understand.

Life is full of unanswered questions. At the end of the day, we can torment ourselves by asking the why repeatedly. Or we can believe that God is inherently good and choose to trust him when we don’t understand. 

Chapter 2:2-4 (nutshell version)

And the Lord answered me: 

“But the righteous shall live by his faith.“

God is telling Habakkuk:

I know you don’t understand what I’m doing, but you can trust me.

The faith we exercise when we trust God to be our Savior is the same kind of faith we need to have every day.

When bad things happen in life or in the world, and we question God, why? Remember, “The Just shall live by faith.”

God is saying to Habakkuk, and to you and I,

Trust me.

Because you don’t understand or can’t fix what’s happening, lean on Me. Press into Me, and I will show you how to walk through this.

Things in life won’t always have a simple explanation. You don’t have to like what’s going on. But you must trust the Lord. He is on the throne.

Chapter 2:20 “But the Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him.”

Habakkuk moves from questioning God to trusting Him. I know that God is seated on the throne in heaven, and I need to be quiet and trust Him.

 In Psalm 5:11, David goes from trusting God to rejoicing in the Lord.

(The worship)

In chapter 3, Habakkuk finally lets his heart remember that God is unwavering, trustworthy, and true. He recalls that God has always been faithful to him, and Habakkuk begins to Praise God. (I can feel the relief)

That is my heart’s desire. 

When life doesn’t make sense, I’m sure I will want to know why. But I want to avoid getting stuck in the why. I want to move forward and trust the Lord God Almighty through it all. And then, to really surrender, I want to Praise Him.

We don’t have to rejoice in our circumstances. We get to rejoice in the God who will take us through it. God wants us to be equip when we walk through life. So dive into the Word. Meditate on the promises of God. 

Verse 17-19 is like the crescendo of the book.

17. “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fails, and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls, 18. yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 19. God the Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on high places.”

I’m praying that in your struggle whatever it might be, you allow God into the wrestling. Trusting him through the waiting and with everything in your breath worship him with praise for all that He has already done and will do in you through this season. And remember, The righteous shall live by faith.

Waiting for His return,

Jamie

01/16/23

THE HONEST MESSENGER

On this very frigid day, I’ll take the opportunity to cozy up and say hello.

It seems crazy for it to be this cold. It was negative 6 degrees when I woke up this morning. The windchill factor is negative 21 degrees.

The title of the forecast reads, “Hazardous weather conditions.” It’s a stay-home kind of day, for sure. 

It’s hard to believe Christmas is three days away.

Are you ready?

Can I let you in on a little secret?

It’s not my favorite holiday. I hope you don’t think I’m a Scrooge. 

But I do love the Christmas truth.

Luke 2:8-20

If you’ve only heard about the Christmas story, let me encourage you to grab a Bible and read it.

The story begins by introducing the shepherds.

In first-century Palestine, being a herdsman was a low position. The Jewish leaders thought shepherds couldn’t stick to the strict sabbath rules because of their type of work and therefore thought less of them.

But God didn’t see it that way. Verse eight says,

“And in the same region, there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.”

Let’s unpack this for a moment.

The religious leaders (Important people in society) had their thoughts and opinions about these sheepmen. But God saw them. They were vital to him. Essential enough to tell them first, the good! 

I love that.

Did you catch the last part of verse ten? The good news and great joy will be for ALL THE PEOPLE.

I love that in God’s eyes, he sees us all!

The angel continues to instruct the shepherds. A Savior is born- In the city of David- Who is Christ the Lord. 

It’s great that God included signs for the shepherd, so there would be no mistaken identity. He will be a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.

The scriptures continue, “And suddenly there was with the angles a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! (Peace on earth, goodwill toward men)”

Verse 15. “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

I love their response. “Let’s go and see.” Remember, the religious leaders scrutinized shepherds due to the type of work, they didn’t have time to focus on the rules and laws. I imagine them out in the fields talking with the Lord and perhaps singing to God on the nights when creation seemed so mind-blowing with the stars and galaxies displayed for their viewing.

God was sending this great news to them! 

I wonder if He knew He could trust that they would share it. 

What about us? Are we willing to share the good news of great joy with our neighbors and co-workers? What about our family? You know, the ones you don’t like?

Well, I love this story because there is so much hope and goodness in this season.

I want to encourage you to warm up by a cozy fire or light some candles for ambiance and read God’s word.

I pray that we will be excited to share the good news of Jesus after reading the truth about Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you and yours,

Jamie

December 22, 2022

Not Forsaken

Chaos is the word that comes to mind, especially when I turn on the news or get a breaking news alert on my phone.

What’s going on in our world?

A Tainted View

 

Her words were sincere as she encouraged me to trust our heavenly father to bring healing to my broken heart.

I nodded as the tears slowly found their way to the ground.

I wanted to believe that Jesus could heal me.

The truth was, I didn’t trust him.

Although I would never tell a soul of my wavering thoughts. God knew just what was in my heart.

Hide-N-Seek

She took my hand as we quietly ran down the short hall, she giggled as we entered the closet, crouching down to hide as best we could between the clothes that were hanging.

She placed her hand over her lips, all I could see were her big green eyes.

To be found was the best part of the game.

A Closer Look

 

When I spend time with God, I often feel Him nudge me to write something I am passionate about.

Other times I feel him press my heart to write a story or an experience of mine, in hopes of encouraging someone.

There are times when I know He is asking me to write something that has convicted my heart deeply.

It’s in those times I can feel myself struggle because it’s personal and I am left vulnerable.

My heart, my thoughts, and my failures are penned for all to see.

There is no place to hide, once I push “publish” it’s out there and I must trust that God will have his way with the words that bare my soul.

Lean Into The Whisper

Most people say that God doesn’t talk to them.

Do you ever wonder if God talks to you?

Sometimes in my own life it’s hard to hear God’s voice.

He Is Worthy

I stood at the ocean breathing in deep the salty air.

My feet slowly sinking into the wet sand.

I couldn’t help but lift my hands in worship.

Name Above All Names

 

I often wonder if I am capable of really understanding who I am and what I’m here for?

Do you ever wonder about that?

The Door Was Locked

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.” Matthew 25:1

I love this Parable and I encourage all of you to open your bible and carefully read through the whole story. verse 1-13

Five of the virgins were wise and had their lamps filled with oil and had taken extra in case they had to wait far into the night for the bridegroom to come.