Harry Durgin, Kilauea Crater, 2 March 2021
In these very troubled times, we should learn from Habakkuk.
Like Habakkuk, many of us are crying out to God about the wickedness in our world. There is violence, iniquity, wickedness, destruction, strife, contention, perverted justice … and more. (Habakkuk 1:3-4)
When Yahweh told Habakkuk what He was going to do, Habakkuk wasn’t happy either, because Yahweh told Habakkuk He would judge Israel through the Chaldeans, a people even more wicked than they.
To swallow that news, Habakkuk reminded himself of who Yahweh is, and we must do that as well.
Yahweh is: Everlasting, Holy, Sovereign, Pure, Judge. (Habakkuk 1:12-13) We can and should add more. He is Savior. (For example, Isaiah 43:11, Luke 2:11) He is sovereign over the nations (Psalm 47:8) Everything He does is right. (For example, Deuteronomy 32:4, Daniel 4:37, Psalm 111:7) And still more.
We must trust Yahweh. The righteous will live by faith. (Habakkuk 2:4) But woe to the wicked. (Habakkuk 2:9-19)
As Habakkuk contemplated the horrible times to come, he prayed:
Yahweh, in wrath remember mercy. (Habakkuk 3:2)
And God is remembering mercy, and will continue to remember mercy, through these hard times, through His judgment. He is always who He is all the time. There are many accounts of people coming to saving faith in the midst of, and because of, hard times.
And, like Habakkuk, we must resolve right now to exult in Yahweh no matter what.
Though the fig tree should not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vies, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold, and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in Yahweh, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord Yahweh is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my highs places. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)
God–Father, Son, Holy Spirit–is always awesome and always worth of praise. Praise Him now, and determine to keep praising Him regardless.
