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| Photo credit healthmoneysuccess.com |
That was the title of a very popular song in the late 80's. Sounds easy enough: don't worry! Just be happy!
But happiness comes and goes. You could win the lottery one minute and be a happy millionaire only to lose it all in one bet at Las Vegas and be one unhappy gambler.
I believe that's why we all should long for PEACE.
In Habakkuk, we are learning about how the prophet understood all about God's judgment, but was confused and dismayed at how God enacted His judgment. How could He stand by and watch as the enemy of His people slaughtered His people?
Habakkuk wondered aloud how God could allow the wicked to do such things. He wondered where God was in the midst of his trial...
Are You There God? It's Me...Anxious!
I know so many times we wonder where the God of the Bible was during times of crisis. We wonder if our prayers are even heard. We sit in anxiety as we ponder the silence we receive from God who promises to always be there.
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So you can see how torturous it can be not to here from God in a timely manner. Why can't God show us the same courtesy?
We want to know NOW what's going on. We want to know NOW what the answer is. We want to know NOW what's going to happen to this or that.
In doing this, we go against the very Word of God:
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God..." Phil 4:6
Paul didn't say to be anxious about somethings...he wrote to be anxious for NOTHING. No. Thing.
Habakkuk learned through his trial many things about his God. And that's the very purpose of our trials: to know our God.
As we sit and wait, we should focus on who God is...not on what we want.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts." Is 55:8-9
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts." Is 55:8-9
You see that? God's thoughts and ways are NOT like your thoughts and your ways of doing things.
Instead of making God into our image...look to who He is:
Self-existent
Creator
Holy
Self-sustaining
Immutable
The Solid Rock
Faithful
Covenant-maker
All these attributes should make you quiver with fear because no other thing in the universe has these attributes. But these attributes should also bring you comfort knowing that He has you in His hands. He knows ALL your concerns even before you speak them.
And sometimes what He is doing in your life may not make sense, but He does have a purpose for everything He does!
“Look among the nations and watch—
Be utterly astounded!
For I will work a work in your days
Which you would not believe, though it were told you..." Habakkuk 1:5
Be utterly astounded!
For I will work a work in your days
Which you would not believe, though it were told you..." Habakkuk 1:5
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In Everything...PRAY!
Habakkuk only received peace once he talked with God. Asaph wrote the same thing in Psalm 73:
"When I thought how to understand this,
It was too painful for me—
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end." Psalm 73:16-17
It was too painful for me—
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end." Psalm 73:16-17
As a mother and a wife, I try hard not to worry. Lay-offs at my husband's job, high unemployment as my son looks for work, lesson plans to be written...all this can make me toss and turn at night.
But then I pray. I enter the sanctuary of God and remember who HE is:
Eternal
Faithful
Covenant-maker
Holy
Powerful
Unchanging
Amen! That's what Paul meant when he wrote:
"...but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7
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Peace!
And that's what I leave with you today. I know you are worrying about something! We all do.
But enter God's sanctuary. Reach out to Him...about everything.
Wait.
Watch.
Worship.
And remember to whom you are praying.
"If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself." 2 Timothy 2:13
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself." 2 Timothy 2:13
Your turn: How has God revealed Himself to you when you were in prayer about something big?
Blessings,
Ruth
Oh wow. So my mom called me this morning and in the course of conversation, I told her how stressed I was about my looming book deadline. She quoted this to me: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God..." Phil 4:6
ReplyDeleteAnd then I read it here too. Methinks God is trying to get my attention. :) Thanks for adding to my morning encouragement!
Yes! I would definitely say the Lord is telling you something! Lol!
ReplyDeleteThat's good that you are listening. It's so much harder when you have a teen at home who is hurting. I want to "say" but the Lord says "pray!" Sigh. So hard! :)
But God is good.