1 TIMOTHY 3:16-17

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us...God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work."

Sunday, October 31, 2010

HABAKKUK - God is Still On His Throne!

Today is October 31st – Halloween.

And Halloween reminds me of the word FEAR.

Have you ever just been terrified out of your mind?

Then I’m sure you have something in common with Habakkuk.

Habakkuk lived under the threat of the Babylonians. Babylon was becoming the dominant world power, and Judah would soon feel Babylon’s destructive force. The LORD had promised to use the Babylonians to punish Judah for their rebellion.

I’m sure Habakkuk was afraid.

He asked questions – difficult questions – and he diligently sought answers.

He asked God why He would use the wicked Babylonians to punish His people. He asked why the wicked in Judah were not being punished for their sins. He asked why a just God could allow such evil to exist.

He asked the questions we ask…

God responded to Habakkuk.

And Habakkuk praised God. He knew that God was going to discipline the people of Judah and that it wasn’t going to be pretty! But Habakkuk acknowledged God's Sovereign Control, yielded to His Divine Providence, accepted His Perfect Will, and asked for His Help and Mercy.

Today’s “Bible Pick ‘Ems” comes from the very end of Habakkuk’s prayer to God.

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign LORD is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights.”

(Habakkuk 3:17-19)


Habakkuk affirmed that even in times of fear, he would still rejoice in the Lord. He didn’t let his feelings be controlled by the events around him. He trusted God’s ability to give him strength.

He let his "even though" turn into "yet I will..."

When nothing makes sense, and you’re AFRAID, remember God.

Look to Him, only Him –

He is alive and in control of the world. He is working, and He WILL accomplish His purposes.

So, run like surefooted deer, my friends – across rough and dangerous terrain.


WE ARE NOT ALONE!


“I have heard all about you, LORD. I am filled with awe by your amazing works.” (Habakkuk 3:2)


When in doubt, search God out!

19 comments:

  1. so very true Sharon! God is still on his throne indeed! I try to remind myself when going through tough times that this didn't catch God by surprise and that he is still on the throne and still in control and remember his promises to never leave or forsake me and try to give him praise and honor :)

    enjoy the day :)

    betty

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  2. Thank you for this, it is encouraging and one of my favourite scriptures. God Bless - Nita.

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  3. Great truth and encouragement, Sharon.
    In good times and bad He is still God
    and still with us working all things
    together for our ultimate good.
    Blessings,
    Sandy

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  4. God is indeed on the throne, and is sovereign.

    This post is so timely for me.

    With GOd on my side I need never fear.

    Thank you for your very kind and encouraging words left on my blog. I truly appreciate what you wrote.

    Thank you for following my blog.



    Blessings,
    Lidj

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  5. Hi Sharon,

    As I read this post, (in particular) Habakkuk's prayer to God, I recognize that he is saying that the things we typically depend upon were no longer available or accessible; I must turn and depend upon the LORD.

    No crops or meat to sustain me; where will I turn? "I will rejoice in the LORD."

    What an affirmation of faith and trust in God!

    I am learning that instead of looking at my circumstances, or looking to a favorable outcome, I must trust solely in the LORD; to have the joy, peace and contentment that only faith and trust in God provides.

    Blessings and peace.

    MTJ

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  6. Betty - I have to remind myself ALL THE TIME that God knows ALL, He knows BEST, and He knows WHEN to act. I am also trying to praise Him in ALL things, at ALL times. (WOW! That was a lot of bold being used there!!)

    Nita - I'm glad this was encouraging to you. It was a very inspiring passage of Scripture for me. EVEN THOUGH the worst might happen, YET I WILL rejoice! Amen.

    Sandy - Thank you, Sandy, for your good words. In all things He does indeed work for GOOD, even though we can't always understand. He is in control, and His throne is mighty.

    Lidj - I'm so glad you visited today. I look forward to following your blog very much. I'm glad that this was a timely message for you. God works like that, doesn't He? I feel the same way you do - with God on my side, I need NEVER fear!

    MTJ - Such an important insight. The things we TYPICALLY depend on were no longer available. It's a lot easier to trust God when we feel secure - and yet, where have we placed (misplaced) our security? The only place to turn, the only place to trust, is God...solely. Habakkuk spoke loudly to me - he taught me that EVEN THOUGH...YET I WILL rejoice!

    Have you ever seen some of those mountain deer? They are the most agile, surefooted animals. God wants us to be able to navigate the heights (and the depths, I might add) of life with His strength.

    Thanks for stopping by today!

    GOD BLESS!

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  7. Wow! What a powerful example of putting our trust totally in God even when we cannot see with our physical eyes. That is a faith builder for sure!

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  8. Hi, Sharon!

    Shalom Adonai,
    I found your blog. I am following.
    I have a blog.
    http://herdeirosdedeushd.blogspot.com/

    "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."Salm0 23:1

    God Bless
    Suely
    Brasil

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  9. Joyfull - Thanks. These verses were very inspiring to me also. "Even though" the worst might happen, "Yet I will" CHOOSE to rejoice. For God holds me through thick and thin, forever safe in His arms!!

    Suely - WELCOME! Thank you for following. Please come back again. I will also go to your blog. May we praise God together! He is the Great Shepherd of the world!

    GOD BLESS!

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  10. Great to see someone sharing this great message from Habakkuk. I too was blogging on Habakkuk when I happened upon your blog. What a great message we get from this very neglected prophet.

    How can we be faithful in a world like this? (Habakkuk) is the title of my blog post in case you wanna check it out. I'd love to get some feedback.

    Just a preview, Peter Craigie wrote, "Faithfulness requires a continuation in the relationship with God, even when experience outstrips faith and the purpose in continuing to believe is called into question." Good stuff!

    Thanks again for posting these great insights on this most neglected prophet,
    Ken

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  11. Ken - WELCOME! Thank you for your kind comments. You're so right. This "neglected" prophet has so much to say to us, today. That's what's so wonderful about God's Word - it's alive, and always relevant!

    I went over and visited your blog - it was great! I enjoyed your writing very much. And...it's always very awesome to run into another C.S. Lewis fan!!

    Hope you come back - I post on this blog every Sunday. (My other blog is daily: www.sharonsharinggod.blogspot.com (Sharon Sharing God)

    GOD BLESS!

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  12. "Fear not" - the most often repeated command in the Bible. Thank you for all your kind comments on my blog Sharon. We're going to be "COLON" (love it) people soon too.

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  13. Thanks, Sharon. It's great to meet you and find someone actively putting their faith and beliefs out there on the net.

    Are you saying when you visited SamaritanXP to check out my Habakkuk post that you also found my Mere C.S. Lewis site? Just curious. I certainly am a Lewis fan. At Mere C.S. Lewis, I publish a daily reading from the vast library of Lewis. It's fun and interesting. I'm trying to read through The Chronicles of Narnia right now so that I can include more Narnia quotes as we're just 35 days away from the release of the new movie, Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

    Thanks for visiting my blogs and giving such quality feedback. Much appreciated. I'm off to check out what Sharon Sharing God is all about ;)

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  14. Rick - I grab on to those words, "Fear not" like a life preserver. One, I take consolation in the fact that God acknowledged that life can be SCARY. Two, He told us not to give in to that fear. And finally, He gave us a REASON not be afraid - HIS hand, HIS power, HIS mercy, HIS promises. (Soooo...you're on the brink of "COLEN"hood, eh?? Hold on, it's a rather dizzying ride. I feel "doodles" coming on - COLEN COMICS??!)

    Ken - Thank you for your kind comments. Yes, I did connect to your C.S. Lewis site through Samaritan XP. I've got a Chronicles of Narnia story to share - I'll go over to your Lewis site and leave it there. I was very hesitant to start a blog - but finally realized that this was an avenue that God could use for HIS purposes. The "net" certainly needs more of His point of view, don't you think? So, I appreciate the encouragement other believers give me - we're all in this together!

    GOD BLESS - feel free to come back next Sunday!

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  15. I love this! thank you for sharing this! :)

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  16. Just what I needed! Thank you so much for this awesome post.

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  17. Mariel - I am so glad that you were encouraged by the Word of God! I always am, too :)

    Chambray Blue - WELCOME! I'm so glad that you stopped by, and that you are joining me on the journey! A good Word (His Word) spoken at a good time (His time) is like water to the soul! I'm always happy when God speaks "just" when someone needs it!!
    (p.s. I noticed that you like dogs! Me, too!! I've written some blog posts about my sons' beagle, Marty, on my other blog. Feel free to visit anytime.
    www.sharonsharinggod.blogspot.com (Sharon Sharing God).

    GOD BLESS, and thanks for dropping by!

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  18. Amen Sharon, all things work for the good of those that are called according to his purpose; the good, bad, ugly, and scary. We can always find peace even in the our most scary moments because we serve an awesome God whose ways are higher than ours. Great post:)

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  19. Toyin - Thanks. I love how simply you put it. God works all things - the good, bad, ugly, and scary - to His good purpose! Peace, that elusive quality when we seek it in this world - that settled security when we trust an awesome God.

    GOD BLESS!

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"So I have been greatly encouraged in the midst of my troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives me new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How I thank God for you!"
(1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!