Trascending Faith

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.
Hab.3:16-19

Just before these words were written, Habakkuk had a vision from God which was not what Habakkuk wanted to see. the vision was one of God reigning down in power - overpowering the people who were attacking the israelites. it was when God showed Habakkuk that the Israelite people would be devastated by the Babylonians, and yet God would still conquer the war. Habakkuk's mind had to be rushing 4 million miles a second... he knew that he and his family were in danger. yet his faith rose up within him, out-weighing his instinct to protect them. he says, "i will wait patiently for the day of calamity to comeon the nation invading us.".

habakkuk knew that hard times were ahead. yet he chose to look at the situation thru the eyes of the Beholder. ultimately the Lord was going to win - it was shown to him in the vision. all he had to hold on to was that fact...that his Holy One, his Lord, was the conqueror.

you and i have that assuarance also. tho the battles rage around us, tho we know our time on this earth is not easy, we ultimately know that our God reigns. we worship and are faithful to the Conqueror. He has already won. tho we die trying to win the battle, the war has already been completed. our eternity lies in the hands of the Beholder. we are not victims, but victors thru Him who gives us strength!

Jesus,
be praised for Your victory - Your victory over death. the grave couldn't even hold You!i praise You for raising me to be in the heavenlies already - i'm already seating in Your palace. thanks for choosing me to be in Your infintry. Jesus, when the battles rage all around, i praise You for lifting my eyes and heart to know that i am part of the team which has already won. i pray for others who are in the midst of their battles right now. may Your strength come upon them, lifting their eyes to see Your prevailing glory. please don't let them give into the temptations, the addictions, the habits which have gotten a strong grip on their hearts. set the free, Healer. let them run the race without all that baggage. may Your praise rise from Your people. let us lift up our voices in a shout which can bring down the strongest of walls. i know Your healing power can set all the captives free. please speak to them; show them Your glory, Lord. let their faith rise up within them - drawing them closer to You.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Ben *Brett *Derrick