pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Wait… Trust…

Reading: Habakkuk 2:2-3

Habakkuk 2:3c – “If it delays, wait for it; for it is surely coming; it will not be late.”

Photo credit: Ben White

Today we hear the beginning of Habakkuk’s answer from God. In this case he has asked God how long will evil (Babylon) triumph over good (God’s people.) Habakkuk takes up his place on the fortress wall, waiting for God to respond. He commits to keeping watch, to waiting. At times our prayer life must take this posture. We must pray faithfully, asking our honest questions, offering our humble petitions. And then we too must wait and watch for God’s response.

In our reading for today, God begins by instructing the prophet to write these words down on a tablet, preserving these words. God then tells him that God’s word is for an “appointed time.” He’s told that God’s word will not deceive. And then, at the end of verses 3, God says, “If it delays, wait for it; for it is surely coming; it will not be late.” In these words God reminds Habakkuk and us of important truths and realities.

First, we are to remain steadfast in our faith. If God doesn’t answer our prayer that day or at least soon in our time frame, be patient and trust God. Pray through the doubt, questions, worry… Second, God will answer. There is no question, God’s answer is “surely coming.” And… it comes in God’s time. “It will not be late” reminds us that God’s answer will come at the absolute right and best time.

We can struggle with waiting patiently, especially when we’re asking the “how long?” questions or when the suffering is deep. We are called to trust in God and to remain faithful to believing that God’s plans are best. This is essential because when we get too bound up in “when” God will answer our prayers, then we sometimes miss the “how.” If God’s answer isn’t just what we thought it should be, in our preoccupation we miss God’s answer. Patience, trust, faith. May these practices be the guides in our prayer life

Prayer: Lord God, in our me-first world, help us to keep a God-first faith. In our quick, get it now world, guide us to a steadfast trust in you and your eternal ways. In our selfish, ego driven world, remind us that you hold it all – including us – in your hands. In our my way or the highway world, open our eyes to see the breadth of your love and care, not just for us but for all of your creation. Amen.


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Trust in God, Wait with Hope

Reading: Habakkuk 1-3

Habakkuk 3:2 – “LORD, I have heard your reputation. I have seen your work. Over time, revive it. Over time, make it known.”

Habakkuk has a chat with God. The chat revolves around why God allows the righteous to suffer while the wicked prosper. Habakkuk struggles to understand how a good God could allow such evil to exist. We continue to wrestle with these struggles today.

The book begins with a question: “Lord, how long will I call for help and you will not listen?” This is a question we’ve all raised. Habakkuk cries out about the violence and injustice. God responds, “I’m about to rouse the Chaldeans.” Babylon will sweep in, taking “captives like sand.” Habakkuk questions how God could choose to use this evil empire, the one that sacrifices to its own strength. He declares that he will “take my post” as he waits for God to respond.

God responds with a vision. Habakkuk is to clearly write it down on tablets. This vision is for an appointed time. While they will wait for it, God declares, “For it is surely coming; it will not be late.” God tells Habakkuk that the righteous will live honestly. The arrogant – the ones who are never satisfied – they will fall. The ones who plundered will be plundered. Doom is coming to all who trust in idols. The Lord is holy. At the appointed time, the earth will be silent before the Lord.

Habakkuk then goes to the Lord in prayer. He begins, “LORD, I have heard your reputation. I have seen your work. Over time, revive it. Over time, make it known.” He trusts that God will one day “tread the nations,” defeating wickedness. Habakkuk trusts into God’s vision for the future. Right now the fig doesn’t blossom. Right now the pens and stalls are empty. But right now, Habakkuk declares, “I will rejoice in the Lord… my deliverance… my strength.” He chooses to trust in God. He chooses to wait with hope. May we choose to do the same when we are suffering, when we are in the struggle. God is loving. God is faithful.

Prayer: Lord God, when we are struggling with the evil in the world, when we are questioning your activity or inactivity in the world, lead us to use Habakkuk as our guide. May we lay our lament before you. May we trust in you to respond. May we choose a bold faith, one that trusts and hopes in you alone. Amen.


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Your Call

Reading: Jeremiah 1: 4-10

Verse 9: “Then the Lord… touched my mouth and said to me, ‘Now I put my words in your mouth'”.

Jeremiah, like many of the prophets, received a call from God to be God’s voice to the people. For some, like Samuel and Elisha and others, the call seemed to be their destiny. It was what they had been born for. Such is the case with Jeremiah too, even though he did not seem to be aware of it. In verse 5 we read, “before I formed you in the womb… before you were born… I set you apart… I appointed you as a prophet”. It was who Jeremiah was created to be. Yet even he had his doubts. He said to God, “I am only a child”. We too have our doubts, our reasons, our rationales that we try and use with God.

During my long call into ministry, this happened often. I said I am only a middle school teacher when the call came asking me to teach a high school Sunday school class. I said I am just a volunteer when the call came asking me to lead the youth group. I said I am only a youth leader when the call came to help lead a congregation. Yet at each step God continued to call me onward. In my own way I kept hearing verse 7: “you must go to everyone I send you and say whatever I command you”. God has been faithful. God has been present. God has gone with me every step of the way.

Jeremiah questioned, I questioned, maybe you question too. Perhaps your call is not to be a prophet or a pastor, perhaps it is. Whatever our vocation, the call is the same – to speak and reveal the truth as we share and live out the Word of God. The promises we hear today are the same no matter our calling. When we are willing to go and to trust in God, we all experience verse 9: “Then the Lord… touched my mouth and said to me, ‘Now I put my words in your mouth'”. We might not speak the word of God to a nation or even to a congregation. We might just speak it to one person at a time. The size of the audience does not matter. It matters not because the word of God has the power to save, to redeem, to restore, to heal… each that hears it, whether one or one million. So may we all boldly share the word of God today that God places in our hearts and mouths. May we boldly step out in faith, knowing “I am with you”. We do not go alone. God is with us.

Prayer: God, I trust that you will go with me wherever I go today. May the Holy Spirit lead and guide me, bringing me just the words I need to share you with one in need of you. Amen.