Perseverance

i've been outta town for a few days. some of the youth from our youth group went to an event called Youth 2003 - a Methodist sponsored event which takes place every 4 years. there were some crazy things that happened while we were there, and the trip wasn't at all what i had expected. at many times i was tempted to leave this convention. when the speaker gives an hour talk which is contrary to Scripture, i think it's okay to desire for us to leave. anyway, we are back at home, safe and tired. there were some good things which happened, and mostly i think our youth liked the experience.

okay, enough with that. have you ever read the book of Habakkuk? it's pretty interesting. Habakkuk was a prophet in Judah. Habakkuk had a problem with the way God was doing things, so he complained to Him. here's one complaint, "How long, O Lord, must i call for help, but You do not listen?" {1:2}my translation, "why are you not doing anything, God?" have you ever asked that question? i know i have many times. i pray about a certain situation and nothing seems to change. sometimes the situation seems to get worse. but God didn't remain silent to Habakkuk (he must've had his ears turned on). God spoke to Habakkuk, but it wasn't what Habakkuk had in mind. God shown him that He was about to destroy Judah with an army from Babylon. isn't that great news? not only does it seem like things are terrible now, just wait! things will get much worse!

since God answered with an answer which didn't please Habakkuk, he decided to complain some more. this is his next grumbling, "Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. why then do you tolerate the treacherous? why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?" {1:13} Habakkuk knows God's character. he knows that God doesn't enjoy seeing the wicked conquer the righteous, chosen people. and yet God made it clear to him this plan. so God again tries to pursuade Habakkuk that His ways are better than man's. God gives Habakkuk a revelation. God mentions that the revelation may not happen today, but it will happen. He says, "wait for it; it will certainly come." {2:3}

God revealed to Habakkuk that one day His glory will cover the heavens and His praise will fill the earth. {3:3} after grasping this revelation Habakkuk says, "i heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are 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. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." {3:16-19} did you catch it? Habakkuk wasn't concerned any more about his well-being. His heart was changed in a split second. he went from wanting things to go his way, to desiring for God to do thing His way. Habakkuk even said that he will rejoice in the Lord and be joyful. He mentions that his strength comes from the Lord. WOW!

Great Father,
let my complaining be heard in Your ears. let my mouth speak what my heart feels. i am listening for Your answers. open my heart to see what You want to do next. please don't remain silent. let Your glory fill the heavens and Your praise fill the earth. let me be patient in waiting for You. i love You and want to follow You.
In Jesus' Name ~ Amen