Habakkuk 1:5-7, 11 (NIV) 5Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. 6I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwellings not their own. 7They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor. ... 11Then they sweep past like the wind and go on—guilty people, whose own strength is their god.
First, we should note that this is a directive for the whole nation of Judah, not just Habakkuk. Second, we should note that the LORD always does what he says he will do.
Deuteronomy 10:17 (NIV) 17For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.
Deuteronomy 32:3-4 (NIV) 3I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! 4He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
Job 42:1-2 (NIV) 1Then Job replied to the LORD: 2“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”
Psalm 33:4, 11-12a (NIV) 4For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. ... 11But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. 12aBlessed is the nation whose God is the LORD...
Isaiah 14:24 (NIV) 24The LORD Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.”
Isaiah 55:8, 11 (NIV) 8“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. ... 11so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
The LORD revealed to Habakkuk that he would send the Babylonians to conquer the disobedient nation of Judah; the nation who refused to serve the LORD God Almighty and him alone; the nation who repeatedly sought after the gods of the nations around them. The LORD kept his word, for history tells us that Judah was indeed conquered by the Babylonians in 586BC.
If there can be any “take away” or lesson to be learned today, it is that the LORD keeps his Word. Our Heavenly Father does not use idle words nor empty threats. When he warns people to have no other gods except him, alone; he means it. When he offers salvation through the sacrifice of his only, Son, Jesus Christ; he keeps his word. When he tells us that Jesus Christ is the only way to the promise of redemption and the blessed hope of restoration; God means what he says.
John 3:16-17 (NIV) 16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 6:40 (NIV) 40For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
Romans 3:22-25 (NIV) 22This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.
Romans 10:9-10, 13 (NIV) 9If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. ... 13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being the only, one true and living LORD God Almighty. Although we fall short of your will and plans in so many ways; we are so humbly thankful for the mercy and grace you show us. Thank you for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Thank you that we can always depend upon the truth of your Word.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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