Upon learning the latest news, visiting with friends and loved ones, overhearing conversations, or just interacting with people, it becomes very evident that overcoming challenges is the fabric of life. Learning of events that people are dealing with reminds us of how our world can get turned upside down, and quickly.
While living life as Christians, we use God’s gift of prayer to intercede for others, as well as to lift our petitions and requests to God. My, how our world would get righted quickly if God answered our prayers instantly. However, many times God’s answers to our prayers clearly show that God’s plans are not our plans. So how do we live life when our prayers are not answered instantly, nor the way we want?
Well, in the Old Testament, Habakkuk, one of the Minor Prophets, faced that very issue, or should we say, lived with the mysteries of God. For God told Habakkuk that He will use the Babylonians to punish unfaithful Israel. He also told him that the impending judgment would be carried out soon.
When you read the three chapters of this book, you witness the spiritual journey Habakkuk travels as he realizes his beloved Israel is doomed. Questions are asked that go mostly unanswered. Yet the book ends with Habakkuk’s great proclamation of his confident faith in God.
Both books, Job and Habakkuk, feature living life with the mysteries of God remaining mysteries. Yet these two servants of God were spiritually strengthened through their encounters with God. What kept them from cutting and running? What keeps us from turning our backs on God and walking out?
Part of the answer is our confident faith in the basics of the faith. Some of those basic principles we rely upon include: God is good; God is holy; God is just; God knows all things; God is love; God makes no mistakes; the Bible is true; Jesus Christ is the Son of God; Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead; Jesus ascended into heaven; someday He will return to the earth; the Holy Spirit is real; I am sealed with the Spirit; God is always with me; all things work together for my good and God’s glory; and God will complete His work in me.
As we think on these realities and God’s promises for all Christians, we are enabled to carry on because we know in spite of the present realities greater days are ahead.
Let us keep our eyes focused on the future God has prepared for His children.
Rick Absher, Powell General Baptist Church
