Perspective is a key word in any trial. Habakkuk concludes his prophesy in today’s readings with a reality check.
Habakkuk 3: Habakkuk's Prayer
1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.
2 O LORD, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O LORD, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.
3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. His splendour covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. Selah
4 His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power.
5 Before him went pestilence, and plague followed at his heels.
6 He stood and measured the earth; he looked and shook the nations; then the eternal mountains were scattered; the everlasting hills sank low. His were the everlasting ways.
7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction; the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.
8 Was your wrath against the rivers, O LORD? Was your anger against the rivers, or your indignation against the sea, when you rode on your horses, on your chariot of salvation?
9 You stripped the sheath from your bow, calling for many arrows. Selah You split the earth with rivers.
10 The mountains saw you and writhed; the raging waters swept on; the deep gave forth its voice; it lifted its hands on high.
11 The sun and moon stood still in their place at the light of your arrows as they sped, at the flash of your glittering spear.
12 You marched through the earth in fury; you threshed the nations in anger.
13 You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked, laying him bare from thigh to neck. Selah
14 You pierced with his own arrows the heads of his warriors, who came like a whirlwind to scatter me, rejoicing as if to devour the poor in secret.
15 You trampled the sea with your horses, the surging of mighty waters.
16 I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me. Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us.
Habakkuk Rejoices in the LORD
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19 GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.
Things to think about…
1. Habakkuk’s prayer contains theology about the purposes of God in judgement. Why does God do what He does? Why does He raise up one nation and pull another down? Habakkuk asks that “in wrath He remembers mercy”, Hab 3:2. Is this how you would describe Jesus, or is He all mercy and grace? Remember His mercy and grace cover His wrath against sin.
2. Habakkuk says “God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran”, Hab 3:3. This refers to the Lord’s work in delivering His people Israel where Teman is in the land of Edom (Esau) Israel’s half brother. This nation by this time was antagonistic to Israel coming out of Egypt. Mount Paran refers to the wilderness and the area around Mt Sinai. Habakkuk acknowledges the Lord’s deliverance of His people in the past. He continues in the chapter with the great works of God in delivering Israel. The inference being that He will do so again.
3. This final chapter in Habakkuk describes the Lord’s work, not only among the nations but also among His creation, E.g the hills, Hab 3:6, the sea, vs 8, the mountains, vs 10, the sun and moon, vs 11. When you consider these verses and the recent devastation through drought and fires, how do you reconcile this with your understanding of the character of God? We can see as Solomon says that there are seasons, Eccl 3. Follows the fires of life.
4. No doubt Hab 3:11 “The sun and moon stood still in their place at the light of your arrows as they sped, at the flash of your glittering spear” refers to Joshua’s long day when he asked that the sun stand still, Josh 10:12-14 to defea the Amorites. God does the miraculous to save His people. God did the miraculous in raising Jesus from the dead. God did the miraculous in you by giving you life when you were dead. He gave you grace and you received the Holy Spirit. You will live where light and life will reign for eternity.
5. The Babylonians were coming. Habakkuk says that he will wait for the day of trouble that is coming upon them, Hab 3:16. Is this a just or an unjust disposition to have? Should we long for the judgement of evil nations or should we pray for God’s mercy as we try to love even our enemies? We are told we have the mind of Christ. Pray for wisdom even to know how to pray and act when our enemies are under the judgement of God, which of course is never pleasant. Pray that Christ may shine in them after such a season.
6. When it all looks hopeless on the outside, Habakkuk keeps a necessary and godly focus, Hab 3:17-19. Our Lord is the God of our salvation, vs 18. Surely this is the only perspective to keep for those who trust in Him. Even though Habakkuk knew judgement was coming for Judah – the Lord is still his strength, vs 19. Rejoice in the knowledge that we worship the same God as Habakkuk.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sunday’s message – “There is no appeasing some people” – Acts 21:17-36
a. Is the hardest person to Christ that you know of? Saul was a hard man yet the Lord converted him. Discuss what you know about Paul’s conversion.
b. Some believing Jews still kept the law. Why did they keep the law when they were under grace in Christ?
c. Other Jews wanted to beat Paul and even have him put to death. This was after Paul explained to them he was not breaking the law but rather showing that the law points to Christ. How do you reason with unreasonable people?
d. Pray for our Palm Sunday outreach event that we can have the boldness to invite people to church and see people won to Christ.
Prayer Points
1. Pray the CBC reaches our into our community and we see many coming to Christ and added to the church. Please come along to the Working Bee this Saturday morning 8am at Church.
2. Continue to pray for the earthquake relief efforts in Turkey and Syria – over 50 000 dead. Have mercy Lord Jesus! The leadership will be discussing our involvement through Baptist World Aid.
3. That our Kids@Church and Chuwar Youth group grow beyond anyone’s expectations.
4. Pray for Chuwar Youth and Jarrod for Friday’s. Pray as he meets with youth at Westside, Ipswich and Bundamba high schools.
5. How you can serve in ministry this year.
6. Pray for other building projects – café turf to be redone, roof, the repair of the house, working bee 11th Mar.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Wonderful worship and word on Sunday thankyou Doug, Beatty boys and sound/technical team.
2. More visitors on Sunday – pray they are integrated into the church
3. Those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Chuwar Youth Friday nights – 6:30-8:30pm. Grades 7 to 12. Chat to the Youth Pastor Jarrod for more details 0478 845 123.
2. Working Bee - this Saturday 11th March – 8:00am at church. Please get involved. Rob Brand and Steve Hawkins are team leaders.
3. Sign up for a cell group or welcoming team.
4. Remember to check your duty rosters.
5. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
6. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for February...
Q. 6. Are there more gods than one? A. There is only one God.
