Habakkuk: Hope Beyond the HeadlinesSample

THE WAIT OF THE WATCHMAN

Ancient Israelite watchmen guarded a city by climbing to the top of the perimeter wall and ‘keeping watch.’ The longer, broader view from that position allowed them to give the city advanced warning of anyone or anything approaching. The ‘wait’ of a watchman was active and alert, constantly looking, attentively listening, and reliably communicating.

Since the people of that time were well acquainted with this concept, God related the role of His prophets with that of a spiritual watchman. Prophets actively waited to hear the word of the Lord and were compelled to convey it to the people. Waiting meant intentionally taking on a position or posture to avoid distractions, staying alert, and listening with the expectation that the Lord would speak.

This is exactly what Habakkuk did after expressing his second complaint to God: he prepared himself to receive God’s response and committed to waiting for it. As Habakkuk faithfully listened, God confirmed that His purposes would be fulfilled in His way, in His time. Although Habakkuk may not have liked or understood God’s answer, he obediently recorded the warning so that it could be repeated and remembered and ultimately be proven reliable.

Ask Yourself:

-In what way has God called me to be a watchman for His people?

-What do I usually do after bringing concerns to God? How will I learn to wait for His response?

-How do I usually handle answers that don’t match up with my thoughts or expectations? What can I do differently?

Pause to Pray: Read through Psalm 130 several times. Let it become a foundation for your prayer today. “Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord… I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope…” Amen (Psalm 130:1, 5 NIV)

Take a Next Step: Establish a time and place for you to regularly practice active waiting for the Lord. Set aside distractions and any expectation of what God might say. Bring only an expectation that He will meet with you and a willingness to follow His lead.