“The Sovereign Lord… wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.”
Isaiah 50:4
Listen carefully in that waking-up-moment each morning. The Lord may give you instructions or encouragement. As I was awakening recently, I heard, “214.” That was quite strange, and it didn’t sound like the Lord at first. Then I considered roaming through Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, looking for 2:14 scriptures, but the impression seemed to point me to Habakkuk, so I turned and read:
“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”
Since I know the storyline of Habakkuk, this was immediately encouraging. It was as if the Lord were saying, “In the midst of every catastrophe I am present and will work everything toward my ultimate purpose.”
Habakkuk had been talking to the Lord about the godless conditions in the nation of Israel, “Violence… injustice… strife… conflict… lawlessness… injustice.”
The Lord then gave Habakkuk His plan: “I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people who will be my instruments for punishing Israel.”
Habakkuk was shocked and began to debate with God. Thinking he had made some good arguments, he said, in what I consider a very humorous passage, “I will wait and see what He will answer to my complaints!”
But God was not moved. He let Habakkuk know that His plan was settled, though ultimately through it all, “The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”
The conditions in which we live are not unlike the days of Habakkuk. Our own nation, founded on godly principles has veered from its path. The Lord has allowed groups more evil and godless than our own to call us to attention. Our path ahead may not be pretty, but we as believers must continually press through to the assurance that God will have His way. Those words God gave to Habakkuk are still true. Our future is secure.
Habakkuk resigned himself to an uncertain future, and in the spirit of those three young men in the furnace or of Job in the depth of his trials (Dan. 3:16-18 and Job 3:15) said:
“Though the fig tree does not bud, and there be no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
No matter what you are walking through or what is yet to come, the Lord will see us through every situation. Hold on! Press ahead! Do not allow the present conditions, personally or internationally, deprive you of life in Jesus!
Stand strong in Him!
Follow Him with passion!
Walk into the day with joy.
We can do it.
Our future is secure!
Blessings,
Don Finto
“Equipping God’s people with His heart and purpose
for Israel and the nations.”