Reset the New Day

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge and glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
Habakkuk 2:14

Habakkuk whose name means ‘Embrace’; either meaning ’embraced by God, strengthened by Him for His difficult task”, or ’embracing others’ in encouraging them in a time of national crisis.
NKJV Spirit filled Bible

Today, as I write this message, the world continues to experience the devastating effects of the corona virus and, in the time of a national crisis, we also need to ’embrace and encourage’ others as Habakkuk’s name suggests. That is love and it is a command that Jesus has asked us to do.

In the first few chapters of the book of Habakkuk, Habakkuk was overwhelmed and deeply disturbed by the injustice that the Babylonian empire was inflicting upon the people, especially upon the righteous. He bitterly complained to the LORD, “How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen, or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? The wicked hem in the righteous so that justice is perverted.”
Habakkuk 1:2-4

Habakkuk’s prayers were strong and direct complaints towards the LORD in did He care?  

God answered Habakkuk’s complaining prayers by saying, “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that the herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time, it speaks of the end and it will not prove false, though it may linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:2-4. (In the meantime) the just shall live by his faith. 

To ‘live’ in the context of this verse, is to live joyfully in the expectation that He is the Almighty and will intervene in His own timing. 

As a wildlife artist, I’ve experienced birds heralding in the new day even before the sun begins to rise. Their chorus runs with the revelation of their identity (their species of recognised song) and it is only when they finish their song at the break of dawn do they then go out to feed. It’s as if the new day is important to them, and an instinct recalls them to worship their creator which gives them their strength to face the day ahead. 

The revelation God gave to Habakkuk was in essence a ‘chorus of words’ heralding in His season to come, to encourage those and give them confidence in who God really is. It gave Habakkuk the strength he needed and he changed his thoughts away from doubt into worship, seeing that God Almighty is absolute over all things. 

Challenges of Faith and Unity in a national crisis.

I’m so glad Jesus reached out His hand to Peter when Peter began to sink, because all Peter wanted to do was to copy his Master’s Ways. Peter began walking towards Jesus, excited that he could do it, but when Peter focused on the natural elements doubt entered into Peter’s mind, and whether it was the waves or the thought of ‘this is scary stuff’ his supernatural faith dispersed and waned into the knowledge of faith.

2021-2022 Faith / Grace

The apostle Paul writes, “Receive one who is weak in the faith but not to dispute over doubtful things. 19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another“.
Romans 14:1

In other words, don’t argue over who is right or wrong in what might be their faith levels, for division is from Satan. Rebellion and division is what happened in heaven before the fall of man.  

People today are needing to hear the voice of God.

What describes the Babylonian identity in today’s world?

In the days of Habakkuk’s ministry, the Babylon empire was a superpower; it was advanced in all ways, trade, military might, architecture and science. They themselves believed that their own successes would position them towards a higher afterlife. 

Babylon is identified in the Bible as the mother of harlotry. It uses a seductive philosophy to lure. It moves at such a heightened greed, for gain through corruption, that it is described in the Bible as a grave that continues on in its quest for more.

Babylon is written to rise again in the last days.
Revelation Chapters 17 and 18

In Chapter 3, Habakkuk changes his focus, from the oppression he was witnessing onto the One who would bring swift judgment upon the prideful Babylon empire and what it represented. 

He writes; 

“Though the fig tree may not blossom, 
Nor the fruit be on the vines; 
Though the labour of the olive tree may fail; 
And the fields yield no food; 
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls- 
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, 
I will joy in the God of my salvation. 
The LORD is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.“
(NKJV) 
Habakkuk 3:17 

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge and glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
Habakkuk 2:14