|
Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ-
Today the scripture comes from the Old Testament book Habakkuk found between Nahum and Zephaniah. Habakkuk is one of the twelve Minor Prophets. The entire book is three chapters.. The classification as a “Minor Prophet” is based on the book’s length, not on content. Today’s devotion is focused on Habakkuk 3:17-19. “The Lord God is my strength. He will set my feet like the deer. He will let me walk upon the heights”. Habakkuk 3:19 CEB
When I see deer startled, I’m impressed by how they spring energetically away. This image captures the surprising high note on which the prophet Habakkuk closes his book.
This ending is all the more impressive because the book starts out with a rough cry of despair: “How long, Lord, will I call for help, and you not listen?” Habakkuk 1:2a CEB The prophet goes on to ask, in effect, “If you are the Lord God of the universe, why do the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper?”
Have you ever felt trapped in a spiritually dark place? We may have thought the same things: How long must this go on? Where is God? Is He listening? Why won’t He just answer?
Chapter 2 God responds. “Some people’s desires are truly audacious (bold), they don’t do the right thing. But the righteous (honorable) person will live honestly.” Habakkuk 2:4 CEB
From his dark place, Habakkuk emerges to a newly deepened faith, a faith not dependent on what he actually sees with his eyes. He’s prepared for more struggles and waiting; yet Habakkuk says, “ ... I will rejoice in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my deliverance.” With this confession of faith on his lips, Habakkuk’s spirit is revived, like the springing, leaping feet of a deer on the hills.
In another time of great darkness and uncertainty for God’s people, God was listening (as always), and he answered in the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Prayer:
O God, we trust in your strength to revive us that we may rejoice in you, our Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name, Amen,
Pastor Dorothy Hotchkiss of Webster’s Crossing UMC and Groveland Federated Parish.
dhotch2@frontiernet.net 585/406-7030 cell/text
|