August 27
Habakkuk 3
Habakkuk exults in the God of his salvation.
INSIGHT
Habakkuk wrestles with God concerning the sinfulness of his fellow Jews: “Why does God not do something? Why does God not judge His people?” As Habakkuk puts these questions to Him, the Lord responds that He is doing something: He is raising up the Chaldeans to come and conquer Judah. Astounded by this revelation, Habakkuk cries out, “How can you use a nation that is more sinful than Judah to conquer it?” God’s answer? God’s people deserve judgment. The righteousness of the instrument of judgment is inconsequential. And as far as Habakkuk is concerned, “the just shall live by his faith” (2:4). Habakkuk responds in faith that, even if disaster strikes, he will rejoice because God is his strength.
PRAYER
Because the Lord can be trusted, offer Him your praise:
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name. . .
When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.
Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. . .
Your right hand upholds me (Psalm 63:3-4, 6-8).
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9).
Pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory (1 Timothy 3:16).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
-- Greater love for others
-- Mission work in the Middle East
Offer this closing prayer to God:
May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 5:10-11).
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