June 10: Insight Post by Rusty Coram
Wednesday Insight Post
by Rusty Coram
Habakkuk was God’s spokesperson in Judah during a very tough time. The nation had moved away from devotion to God and embraced the spiritual practices of neighboring countries, worshipping other gods, including the rite of child sacrifice. God was rightfully angry about their unfaithfulness and allowed His people to be overtaken and seriously punished by the evil Babylonian empire. Seeing the horror that the Babylonians brought on Judah, Habakkuk questioned God’s actions. In the first chapter of his book, he also questions God’s decision to let wicked people get away with evil and torment others. As the book unfolds, we see Habakkuk learn and understand that God can use all sorts of means to discipline and correct His people when they go astray. The stage was set for him to learn by carving out time to be alone with God. “I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the Lord says and how he will answer my complaint.” Habakkuk 2:1 (NLT) Using military terms, Habakkuk describes his role as a prophet to the people. He doesn’t let his frustration, confusion, and anger distance him from God, rather, it drives him to God to get help in understanding. One thing I really value in his prayer is its honesty. Habakkuk is direct in registering his complaint against what God is doing by letting the Babylonians run rampant over the nation. But at the same time he voices his complaint, he has a humble and open heart for God to teach him. It is all too easy for us to run hot with our big ideas and emotions and, in the process, leave God out of the mix. Undistracted time alone with God allows us to hear His voice and to be trained in righteousness and maturity. There really is no substitute for it.
Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor
New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org