Stand My Watch
I will stand my watchAnd set myself on the rampart,
And watch to see what He will say to me,
And what I will answer when I am corrected.
~Habakkuk 2:1
Habakkuk knows that he worships a God he can dialogue with. We see a passionate man who goes straight to God concerning the slaughter of his people by a ungodly nation. Habakkuk prays knowing that God will answer. He stands on his watchtower, waiting for God's response. Habakkuk perseveres in waiting until God responds. So many of us pray and then we don't even wait for God's response. Habakkuk is willing to wait for his God. He knows that his God will show up. He knows that his God is worth waiting for. He knows that he can only find hope and correction in his God's response.
Not only does Habakkuk show wisdom and maturity by waiting for God, but in his humility as well. Habakkuk expects to be corrected. He cannot understand why God would punish His own people by an extremely ungodly nation. Yet, Habakkuk walks by faith and not by sight. He knows that things are not always what they seem. This is reiterated when God tells Habakkuk that the righteous shall live by his or her faith (2:4). Habakkuk learns to trust God and walk on what God says, despite his circumstances.
Perhaps the most amazing part of this book is Habakkuk's response, which is praise. He understands that God is sovereign and just. Although what Habakkuk perceives with his physical eyes is unjust, he knows in his heart that God is good and just. He knows that his only hope rests in God. Just as Paul and Silas praise God when they are thrown into prison and beaten, Habakkuk has the same response (Acts 16:25). What does this teach us? When a crisis arises, we still worship God. God is good all the time. God is soveriegn. The God who takes away and rebukes, will give again. In the end, we will be all the more better for it. For all things work toward the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). I believe Habakkuk knew this in his wise response of praise to God.
When you face a crisis, is your trust so deep in God that praise and worship is your first response? Do you wait on the Lord for an answer? Do you approach God with humility? Do you live by faith or by physical sight?
Not only does Habakkuk show wisdom and maturity by waiting for God, but in his humility as well. Habakkuk expects to be corrected. He cannot understand why God would punish His own people by an extremely ungodly nation. Yet, Habakkuk walks by faith and not by sight. He knows that things are not always what they seem. This is reiterated when God tells Habakkuk that the righteous shall live by his or her faith (2:4). Habakkuk learns to trust God and walk on what God says, despite his circumstances.
Perhaps the most amazing part of this book is Habakkuk's response, which is praise. He understands that God is sovereign and just. Although what Habakkuk perceives with his physical eyes is unjust, he knows in his heart that God is good and just. He knows that his only hope rests in God. Just as Paul and Silas praise God when they are thrown into prison and beaten, Habakkuk has the same response (Acts 16:25). What does this teach us? When a crisis arises, we still worship God. God is good all the time. God is soveriegn. The God who takes away and rebukes, will give again. In the end, we will be all the more better for it. For all things work toward the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). I believe Habakkuk knew this in his wise response of praise to God.
When you face a crisis, is your trust so deep in God that praise and worship is your first response? Do you wait on the Lord for an answer? Do you approach God with humility? Do you live by faith or by physical sight?
this really blessed me more so your written response to what god was doing in you but i like your art work as well.
ReplyDeleteYour comment is so encouraging! Thank you and God bless!
ReplyDeleteThese are wise words indeed and they have been a great help and comfort to me in my trials. Habakkuk is one of the unsung heroes of the bible and his faith and humility are incredible. Thank you for highlighting such a worthy man of god and for helping many like me, find strength through your wisdom. The holy spirit dwells within. May god bless you always.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouraging response!
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