WE SHALL NOT DIE - Reading With the People of God #17নমুনা

Trouble

Very little is known about the prophet Habakkuk. He prophesied during the end period of the Assyrian empire and the beginning of the Babylonian empire (605-612 B.C.). Habakkuk cries out to the Lord for justice as the people of the land (Judah) had become wicked. God's response is one that Habakkuk does not understand: God will send the Chaldeans to destroy Judah!

We can easily empathize with Habakkuk’s thoughts that this is bad! Other places in scripture, like the Psalms and the prophet Jeremiah, ask, “Why does the way of the wicked prosper” (Jeremiah 12:1; Psalm 73:4-12 ESV). Shouldn’t we be treated more mercifully than those who are more wicked than us? We stomp our feet and throw a fit, saying, “This isn’t fair”!

All of the Prophets were men, like us. They were troubled with what they saw, heard, had to live through; even what God commanded them to do, and mostly lived lives that our culture today would deem a terrible life. To quote what the author of Hebrews says of the Old Testament prophets: “They were stoned to death, sawed in half, and killed with swords. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins. They were needy, oppressed, and mistreated. The world wasn’t worthy of them. They wandered in deserts, mountains, caves, and holes in the ground” (Hebrews 11:37-38 ISV). However, because they were filled with the Spirit, they confessed and wrote for us the conclusion of every matter. Habakkuk says to God, “Are You not from everlasting? O Lord my God, my Holy One?” (Hab. 1:12 ESV) They always land on the reality that God is sovereign, who is there but He?

Recall when Joshua was going up to Jericho; he was confronted by a Man with His sword drawn. Joshua asked Him if He was for them or their adversaries. He said, “No, but I AM the Commander of the army of the Lord” (Joshua 5:14 ESV). Both in Habakkuk’s situation as with Joshua; It’s not about God taking a side; it’s about God fulfilling His purpose.

Let’s pivot to Luke chapter 9. Luke’s gospel is about the life, mission, and work of Christ (the kingdom of God is at hand). In the middle of chapter 9, verse 51, Luke writes about Jesus; “He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (NKJV). Luke spends the remainder of his gospel detailing the events that lead up to the “sacrifice of the perfect Lamb”. God's plan to die for sinful man, propitiating perfect justice for the debt owed, rising from the dead, assuring salvation and resurrection; was not a plan devised or approved by mankind. Even Jesus’ disciples disapproved of the plan, not having full knowledge.

While we tarry on this earth, there will no doubt be trouble. Jesus Himself promised us this! But we take courage, because He has overcome the world. Habakkuk penned the beautiful words that Paul referenced in Romans and Galatians, as well as the author of Hebrews: “The just shall live by his faith” (Hab. 2:4 ESV). God is the One in charge; He is sovereign. We trust God in ALL things, and with faith in Him we are justified. This promise of eternal life in heaven earned by Christ for my benefit, should help us to be recalibrated every day to discern how insignificant life’s troubles are in comparison. 2 Cor. 9:15 NIV—Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.

Primer Contributed by Mike Vander Dussen