In the Matrix film trilogy, there is a character deemed the "Oracle." Morpheus and Neo sought her advice concerning the future because they believed she had wisdom they needed to be successful in their efforts. Most things the Oracle said were ambiguous and unclear. She limited herself and would not say all she knew, but said enough to put her seekers on the right path. The implication is they would have to discover the truth for themselves - an approach which fits well in our current day of the embrace of relative truth. Unfortunately this approach to wisdom is not limited to the science fiction but has been accepted as truth. Relativism by many has been deemed absolute truth in a time when the existence of moral absolutes is flatly rejected. There is great irony here for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.
The wisdom of God is nothing like what often passes for wisdom in this world. Wisdom is far more than information or even the correct appropriation or personal application of knowledge. The Bible says the "Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." True, genuine wisdom comes only from God. Wisdom is not displayed by knowledge, belief, or mental understanding, but through the fear and reverence of God. A wise man believes God exists, created all things, and is in control. He recognises God is not like a man, and men are naturally opposed to God. This means man, despite his best efforts, cannot know or walk in the wisdom of God. The scriptures say that when fallen, faithless men see God's wisdom openly displayed, it appears to them foolishness (1 Cor. 2:14)! Conversely, 1 Corinthians 3:19 says, "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness."
The wise of this world flaunt their knowledge, yet the truly wise are revealed in their willingness to receive correction from God. A wise man realises in his natural state he is not inclined to do God's will and therefore needs to be changed from within. He must be born again and embrace a life of being changed more into the image of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Christianity is more than hearing God's Word and doing it: the implication is after being born again we must choose to accept God's way of thinking and live in dependance and obedience to His Word. Our old life and ways of thinking must be replaced with God's plans for our future. Jesus told a parable in Matthew 7:24-28: "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
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and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
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But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
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and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."
The foolish man in the parable heard the words of Jesus but chose to build in a place and in a way he saw fit. He disregarded the instruction and correction of God. Though he no doubt worked very hard at great expense, because his house was not firmly established on the rock it all fell to pieces when the storm hit. He put aside God's plans for building his life and decided instead to build his dream home according to his own design and in the location he preferred. He wanted beachfront property and he temporarily obtained his desire. Sadly, all those efforts were a tragic waste. The wise man heard the words of Jesus and chose to throw out his own plans. He decided God's location and plans for building a life were better than his own. He embraced all changes to his plans, methods, and future God demanded. He built on the rock when a house on the beach still sounded amazing. Perhaps he would have been happy to build in the exclusive community that built on the sandy bluffs overlooking the sunrise. I am not suggesting beachfront property cannot have a solid foundation on the rock. The point is, wisdom is displayed in our willingness to admit our plans need to change, our way of thinking must change, our idea of a dream future on this earth must change, everything about us must change according to God's revealed design in His Word.
There are many smart, knowledgeable people in this world who do not possess wisdom from above. They may be very wealthy, successful, influential, and powerful, yet they still lack God's wisdom. James 3:13-18: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
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But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
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This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
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For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
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But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
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Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." The wisdom is displayed through meekness, not arrogance or pride. The wisdom of God is revealed in motives of love and humility. True wisdom is not shown by how much we know or what we believe we have accomplished, but in gentleness and willingness to yield to God's control and commands in daily living. The righteousness of a Christian is obtained by grace through faith in Christ, and the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace. Wisdom is revealed when we accept chastening from God and even correction from men.
Are you willing to yield when Christ speaks? Will wisdom from above be displayed in your life when you lay down your precious plans and adopt God's plans for your conduct, life, and thinking through scripture? Only Christians have the wisdom from above, but do not be deceived to think by virtue of your beliefs by default you are living wisely. How many times have we built something God condemned because it was not in His plans! How easy it is to stray from building on the foundation of Christ because we have decided our ideas and plans are best. Our plans are precious because we've poured our hearts into them, they cost us a fortune, and we are not willing to give them up! True wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, and willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy. When you read "partiality and hypocrisy," don't primarily think of how you relate to others, but how we can be partial and hypocritical concerning ourselves. When it comes to biblical change, Christians are wise to adopt a "Me first!" approach. Mary told the servants, "Whatever Jesus says, do it!" and we are wise to heed her words! Wisdom is not something we discover on our own, but something Jesus is for us. 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 says, "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--
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that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."
07 September 2014
05 September 2014
Mourners and Mockers
Once a man named Jairus came to Jesus and asked him to heal his sick daughter. As they made their way to his house, a messenger came bearing bad news: the twelve-year-old girl had died. "Do not trouble that Master any more," was the suggestion. What more could Jesus do now? Jesus told Jairus, "Fear not, believe only, and she shall be made whole." They continued their trek to the house of Jairus.
When they arrived at the residence, many mourners wailed the passing of the girl. Luke 8:52-53 says, "Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping." 53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead." The KJV says the mourners "laughed Jesus to scorn," knowing she was dead. They knew a dead body when they saw one! Who was this man who suggested they should cease mourning? If she wasn't breathing, how could she be sleeping? His suggesting was insulting and offensive. They did not know it yet, but it was the mourners who were the offenders. They insulted Jesus with their mockery, for they did not believe Jesus had power over death.
The mourners wailed over the girl's death, but Jesus was in the home to restore life. They believe mourning was a more valid response than to suggest the girl merely slept. Jesus, being God, was able to discern the truth concerning the girl's condition. She appeared dead and lifeless, but it was not a time to sorrow for Jesus Christ had come. Her permanent condition could be reversed because Jesus had the power to do whatever He wants. After sending out the mourners turned mockers, Jesus took the little girl by the hand and told her to rise. Her eyes opened and she stood up! It was a remarkable display of the power of Jesus Christ to save, even when hope seemed an impossible dream.
How many times do we mourn because we do not believe anyone - even God - has the power to redeem or restore the situations we face! This event proves even death is not a problem when the Resurrection and the Life is in the house. If Jesus is our Saviour we are more than conquerors through Him. The mourners and mockers were thrown out and did not see the miracle. That is true for us as well. Whether we mourn or mock in disbelief, insulted at the prospect of hope or restoration, we will not experience the power of God working in our lives. How important it is we believe and trust, knowing that Jesus is able to accomplish what concerns us today according to God's perfect will.
When they arrived at the residence, many mourners wailed the passing of the girl. Luke 8:52-53 says, "Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping." 53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead." The KJV says the mourners "laughed Jesus to scorn," knowing she was dead. They knew a dead body when they saw one! Who was this man who suggested they should cease mourning? If she wasn't breathing, how could she be sleeping? His suggesting was insulting and offensive. They did not know it yet, but it was the mourners who were the offenders. They insulted Jesus with their mockery, for they did not believe Jesus had power over death.
The mourners wailed over the girl's death, but Jesus was in the home to restore life. They believe mourning was a more valid response than to suggest the girl merely slept. Jesus, being God, was able to discern the truth concerning the girl's condition. She appeared dead and lifeless, but it was not a time to sorrow for Jesus Christ had come. Her permanent condition could be reversed because Jesus had the power to do whatever He wants. After sending out the mourners turned mockers, Jesus took the little girl by the hand and told her to rise. Her eyes opened and she stood up! It was a remarkable display of the power of Jesus Christ to save, even when hope seemed an impossible dream.
How many times do we mourn because we do not believe anyone - even God - has the power to redeem or restore the situations we face! This event proves even death is not a problem when the Resurrection and the Life is in the house. If Jesus is our Saviour we are more than conquerors through Him. The mourners and mockers were thrown out and did not see the miracle. That is true for us as well. Whether we mourn or mock in disbelief, insulted at the prospect of hope or restoration, we will not experience the power of God working in our lives. How important it is we believe and trust, knowing that Jesus is able to accomplish what concerns us today according to God's perfect will.
03 September 2014
The NFL Fast
Most people who know me also know I am fond of watching and playing sport. In my adulthood I have been on 10-pin bowling teams, company and church softball teams, and have played baseball during the last few years. I used to enjoy going down to the park and playing touch and tackle football (gridiron) on weekends and holidays with my brother and friends. Being from San Diego, I have been a Padres and Chargers fan since the early to mid-80's. Long before I had a TV in our home, I would carry my little battery-powered radio around and listen to the Padres games. Every year I would actually write a letter to the Padres office to request the annual schedule. Every year I rejoiced to receive that envelope in the post, stick my new schedule to a cork board, and listen to as many games as I could.
Even now as I sit at my desk, I can see last year's San Diego Chargers schedule hanging in plain view. As much as I enjoyed the Padres, the Chargers have been my number one team for my whole life. The quality of my Sundays as a kid was directly impacted by the Chargers, and let's just say growing up all those 4-12 seasons took their toll. But I was a true fan. Whether the Chargers went to the playoffs or won a single game in a season I stuck with them faithfully in good times and bad. I remember the day when the Chargers drafted LaDainian Tomlinson. I can say without fail I watched 99% of every play from scrimmage he ever had as a Charger. When I wasn't watching the Chargers, I listened to talk radio of people discussing the Chargers. I loved the games, replays, competition, drama, strategy, and the edge-of-your-seat excitement. I love football, what can I say?
As the new NFL season is about to begin, there is something a bit odd about my schedule: it is the schedule of last year. I haven't printed out a schedule of this year because I am not going to watch a single game, even if the Chargers (against all odds, I shouldn't wonder!) reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 1994. It wasn't my idea to take a season off from watching the National Football League. It is not because of the rule changes, issues I have with team ownership, the vast revenues and salaries, the prevalent injuries, or the culture of pride. The reason why I am not going to watch a game this season is because I am convinced God clearly has told me not to, and the way He did it was miraculous.
Have you ever had a time when your heart was unsettled and you knew something wasn't right? Perhaps you found you were almost arguing with yourself, trying to convince yourself everything was fine - but there was a conflict within. I have had many such internal battles during my life. This year, of all things, I had reservations about buying my annual subscription to NFL Game Pass. I felt conflicted about it, and I couldn't understand why. One day I am certain God impressed upon my heart, "Admit it. You LOVE football." Immediately I denied it. "I like football, don't be ridiculous." But then I started thinking. Before I had a subscription to NFL Game Pass I would set my alarm to wake up at 3am to stream a game from Australia. I checked the website daily for news and enjoyed reading the articles and watching highlights. If I wasn't watching football, I enjoyed thinking about it. I relished the drama of the last second field goals, the amazing kickoff returns, catches, and runs, crazy comebacks, bone-crushing blocks, and talented feats of agility and strength. "You are right, God," I relented. "I DO love football. I have loved it for a long time."
The fact that I would give up virtually anything to keep watching football told me there was something wrong with my love of the game. Football may be the greatest game ever (and without question my favourite to watch or play), but even things good in themselves can be detrimental. You may not think my admitting I loved football was a big deal. So what? Don't lots of people love football? It is a big deal because I believe the Bible is the Word of God and therefore loving things of this world is a serious problem. 1 John 2:15 plainly says, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." God used this verse to confront my misplaced affections. My love of football - which is not an allowable exception to the truth of 1 John 2:15 - revealed my love of football was conflicting with my love of God. Placing my affections on a game, a thing of this world, robbed God of love He deserved to freely receive from me. That is why I initially resisted admitting I loved football. And the implications stood: it was either football or God. If football demanded even a fraction of the love God intended me to demonstrate for Him, my priorities and my heart needed to change.
Even after I admitted I loved football, the resistance wasn't finished. The battle continued as I was conflicted about what to do. At some moments I thought God wanted me to quit watching football indefinitely, maybe just for a season, or simply to repent and to remain vigilant football was not claiming my affections. Leading up to the Israel trip this year, I was still coming to grips with the fact I loved football. Of all places, God clearly spoke to me in the Garden of Gethsemane during that trip. As I sat quietly in the place where Jesus cried out to His heavenly Father facing crucifixion and death, there I was waffling over watching football or not! I didn't want to even think or pray about the football issue, but it kept coming back. I was disgusted. I said, "LORD, I have the sense you are asking me to not watch football this next season. Please clearly tell me what you want and I will do it." Precisely at that moment, I raised my eyes and saw a small round item on the ground. I wonder what that is, I thought. I picked it up and began rubbing it between my fingers to clean off the corrosion. As the face of Abraham Lincoln came into view, I was amazed to be holding a United States penny.
There I was in the Garden of Gethsemane in Israel, and to find a U.S. penny was shocking. Faintly I could make out the inscription: "In God We Trust." Instantly I was reminded when Jesus was being tested by the Pharisees about whether the Jews should pay taxes to Caesar or not. He said, "Show me a penny." Since moving to Australia, I have not seen a "penny" for years. The massive single cent coins in Australia were removed from circulation decades ago, and change is given rounding up or down five cents. Jesus continued to ask, "Whose face is on the money?" "Caesar's," they answered. Jesus said, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." The latter half of Jesus Christ's answer hit me: if God asked me to give up watching football for a year, that is His just due. Since I have been bought with a price I must choose to honour God instead of myself. In light of Christ's sacrifice on Calvary, was football too precious to give to God after all Christ had given for me? It was settled then, and the peace of God filled my heart. My heart rejoiced in God's love, and all doubts fled away. I would fast from the NFL for a season. I am not losing anything, for God is more than sufficient to fill my heart and mind in years past occupied with football.
God does not require us to do more than He asks. Right now He has asked for me to give Him this NFL season. He has not yet asked me to stop watching gridiron for the rest of my earthly days, but even if He did it is not too much for God to demand. The question will come to us all who follow Jesus: is there anything in your life that you set your affections on in God's place? Are there things we are unwilling to forsake for the purpose of pursuing God? We are told, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." God may not ask you to lay aside the things you love, but don't forget at times He commands to lay aside even the things we need - like food! Jesus fasted from food and drink for 40 days in obedience to God by the leading of the Holy Spirit. The lesson is that man shall not live by bread alone but by every command from the mouth of God. God is more necessary than food for us, and obedience to God is more important than sacrificing a century of football! As we go through this life, God desires we forsake all other loves in response to His great love He demonstrated on the cross. Football never loved me, but Jesus does!
Even now as I sit at my desk, I can see last year's San Diego Chargers schedule hanging in plain view. As much as I enjoyed the Padres, the Chargers have been my number one team for my whole life. The quality of my Sundays as a kid was directly impacted by the Chargers, and let's just say growing up all those 4-12 seasons took their toll. But I was a true fan. Whether the Chargers went to the playoffs or won a single game in a season I stuck with them faithfully in good times and bad. I remember the day when the Chargers drafted LaDainian Tomlinson. I can say without fail I watched 99% of every play from scrimmage he ever had as a Charger. When I wasn't watching the Chargers, I listened to talk radio of people discussing the Chargers. I loved the games, replays, competition, drama, strategy, and the edge-of-your-seat excitement. I love football, what can I say?
As the new NFL season is about to begin, there is something a bit odd about my schedule: it is the schedule of last year. I haven't printed out a schedule of this year because I am not going to watch a single game, even if the Chargers (against all odds, I shouldn't wonder!) reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 1994. It wasn't my idea to take a season off from watching the National Football League. It is not because of the rule changes, issues I have with team ownership, the vast revenues and salaries, the prevalent injuries, or the culture of pride. The reason why I am not going to watch a game this season is because I am convinced God clearly has told me not to, and the way He did it was miraculous.
Have you ever had a time when your heart was unsettled and you knew something wasn't right? Perhaps you found you were almost arguing with yourself, trying to convince yourself everything was fine - but there was a conflict within. I have had many such internal battles during my life. This year, of all things, I had reservations about buying my annual subscription to NFL Game Pass. I felt conflicted about it, and I couldn't understand why. One day I am certain God impressed upon my heart, "Admit it. You LOVE football." Immediately I denied it. "I like football, don't be ridiculous." But then I started thinking. Before I had a subscription to NFL Game Pass I would set my alarm to wake up at 3am to stream a game from Australia. I checked the website daily for news and enjoyed reading the articles and watching highlights. If I wasn't watching football, I enjoyed thinking about it. I relished the drama of the last second field goals, the amazing kickoff returns, catches, and runs, crazy comebacks, bone-crushing blocks, and talented feats of agility and strength. "You are right, God," I relented. "I DO love football. I have loved it for a long time."
The fact that I would give up virtually anything to keep watching football told me there was something wrong with my love of the game. Football may be the greatest game ever (and without question my favourite to watch or play), but even things good in themselves can be detrimental. You may not think my admitting I loved football was a big deal. So what? Don't lots of people love football? It is a big deal because I believe the Bible is the Word of God and therefore loving things of this world is a serious problem. 1 John 2:15 plainly says, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." God used this verse to confront my misplaced affections. My love of football - which is not an allowable exception to the truth of 1 John 2:15 - revealed my love of football was conflicting with my love of God. Placing my affections on a game, a thing of this world, robbed God of love He deserved to freely receive from me. That is why I initially resisted admitting I loved football. And the implications stood: it was either football or God. If football demanded even a fraction of the love God intended me to demonstrate for Him, my priorities and my heart needed to change.
Even after I admitted I loved football, the resistance wasn't finished. The battle continued as I was conflicted about what to do. At some moments I thought God wanted me to quit watching football indefinitely, maybe just for a season, or simply to repent and to remain vigilant football was not claiming my affections. Leading up to the Israel trip this year, I was still coming to grips with the fact I loved football. Of all places, God clearly spoke to me in the Garden of Gethsemane during that trip. As I sat quietly in the place where Jesus cried out to His heavenly Father facing crucifixion and death, there I was waffling over watching football or not! I didn't want to even think or pray about the football issue, but it kept coming back. I was disgusted. I said, "LORD, I have the sense you are asking me to not watch football this next season. Please clearly tell me what you want and I will do it." Precisely at that moment, I raised my eyes and saw a small round item on the ground. I wonder what that is, I thought. I picked it up and began rubbing it between my fingers to clean off the corrosion. As the face of Abraham Lincoln came into view, I was amazed to be holding a United States penny.
There I was in the Garden of Gethsemane in Israel, and to find a U.S. penny was shocking. Faintly I could make out the inscription: "In God We Trust." Instantly I was reminded when Jesus was being tested by the Pharisees about whether the Jews should pay taxes to Caesar or not. He said, "Show me a penny." Since moving to Australia, I have not seen a "penny" for years. The massive single cent coins in Australia were removed from circulation decades ago, and change is given rounding up or down five cents. Jesus continued to ask, "Whose face is on the money?" "Caesar's," they answered. Jesus said, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." The latter half of Jesus Christ's answer hit me: if God asked me to give up watching football for a year, that is His just due. Since I have been bought with a price I must choose to honour God instead of myself. In light of Christ's sacrifice on Calvary, was football too precious to give to God after all Christ had given for me? It was settled then, and the peace of God filled my heart. My heart rejoiced in God's love, and all doubts fled away. I would fast from the NFL for a season. I am not losing anything, for God is more than sufficient to fill my heart and mind in years past occupied with football.
God does not require us to do more than He asks. Right now He has asked for me to give Him this NFL season. He has not yet asked me to stop watching gridiron for the rest of my earthly days, but even if He did it is not too much for God to demand. The question will come to us all who follow Jesus: is there anything in your life that you set your affections on in God's place? Are there things we are unwilling to forsake for the purpose of pursuing God? We are told, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." God may not ask you to lay aside the things you love, but don't forget at times He commands to lay aside even the things we need - like food! Jesus fasted from food and drink for 40 days in obedience to God by the leading of the Holy Spirit. The lesson is that man shall not live by bread alone but by every command from the mouth of God. God is more necessary than food for us, and obedience to God is more important than sacrificing a century of football! As we go through this life, God desires we forsake all other loves in response to His great love He demonstrated on the cross. Football never loved me, but Jesus does!
01 September 2014
Receiving Correction
The true measure of wisdom is not found in the amount of knowledge you possess, but your willingness to receive correction from God. Christ has become for us wisdom, and a broken and contrite heart God will not despise. Proverbs 15:31 says, "The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise." How we respond to rebuke and chastening of God is one of the most accurate gauges of whether we are walking in wisdom or not. Both the wise and foolish man hears the words of Christ, but the wise will adopt His ways. The wise will heed His rebukes and take appropriate action.
This wisest among men realise God is righteous and good. Even when God's ways appear unreasonable or ridiculous, a wise man humbly affirms that if anyone needs correction it is himself. Habakkuk was a prophet of God who was dismayed with God's plan to use the Babylonians to judge the people of Israel. It didn't make sense to Habakkuk God would choose to use a heathen nation which deserved the wrath and judgment of God to judge God's own people! It seemed a grave injustice and inconsistent with Habakkuk's understanding of God. It was utterly appalling. How could God seemingly tolerate such great wickedness and refuse to defend God's people from violent overthrow? Why would God use a corrupt nation to judge another? How could such methods be just or righteous at all?
But Habakkuk was a wise man. He knew no matter how things appeared to him, God was still God and in control. God remained righteous, just, loving, merciful, and true. Though confused and without answers, the prophet sought God's answer. Like a watchman who carefully scanned the horizon, Habakkuk looked to God to correct his faulty perspective. Habakkuk 2:1-4 reads, "I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected. 2 Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. 4 "Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith." Habakkuk realised it was not God who needed to be corrected, but he needed God to correct him. God's plan hadn't changed, and God gave Habakkuk a charge to clearly write the vision and make it plain. God would surely bring it to pass. "The just shall live by his faith," God said. Babylon would someday be judged in righteousness, but God would use them as His servants to chasten His people to repentance.
Sometimes God allows situations we cannot understand to accomplish His purposes. At times we may look back and see the wisdom of God's ways, but other times we are at a loss. Wisdom is not found in man being able to explain how and why, but in us willingly receiving correction from God and walking in obedience. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, but fools hate correction. Habakkuk was challenged to walk in faith even as all men are. Will we trust God despite the apparent injustice? Will we continue to faithfully follow Christ despite difficulty, pain, and obstacles? The wise actually seek correction from God and do not despise His chastening. He disciplines us out of love and compassion for our good and restoration, not our destruction. Even when Jerusalem was sacked and the temple destroyed, God remained good. He did not leave or forsake His people, and He will not forsake us either!
This wisest among men realise God is righteous and good. Even when God's ways appear unreasonable or ridiculous, a wise man humbly affirms that if anyone needs correction it is himself. Habakkuk was a prophet of God who was dismayed with God's plan to use the Babylonians to judge the people of Israel. It didn't make sense to Habakkuk God would choose to use a heathen nation which deserved the wrath and judgment of God to judge God's own people! It seemed a grave injustice and inconsistent with Habakkuk's understanding of God. It was utterly appalling. How could God seemingly tolerate such great wickedness and refuse to defend God's people from violent overthrow? Why would God use a corrupt nation to judge another? How could such methods be just or righteous at all?
But Habakkuk was a wise man. He knew no matter how things appeared to him, God was still God and in control. God remained righteous, just, loving, merciful, and true. Though confused and without answers, the prophet sought God's answer. Like a watchman who carefully scanned the horizon, Habakkuk looked to God to correct his faulty perspective. Habakkuk 2:1-4 reads, "I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected. 2 Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. 4 "Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith." Habakkuk realised it was not God who needed to be corrected, but he needed God to correct him. God's plan hadn't changed, and God gave Habakkuk a charge to clearly write the vision and make it plain. God would surely bring it to pass. "The just shall live by his faith," God said. Babylon would someday be judged in righteousness, but God would use them as His servants to chasten His people to repentance.
Sometimes God allows situations we cannot understand to accomplish His purposes. At times we may look back and see the wisdom of God's ways, but other times we are at a loss. Wisdom is not found in man being able to explain how and why, but in us willingly receiving correction from God and walking in obedience. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, but fools hate correction. Habakkuk was challenged to walk in faith even as all men are. Will we trust God despite the apparent injustice? Will we continue to faithfully follow Christ despite difficulty, pain, and obstacles? The wise actually seek correction from God and do not despise His chastening. He disciplines us out of love and compassion for our good and restoration, not our destruction. Even when Jerusalem was sacked and the temple destroyed, God remained good. He did not leave or forsake His people, and He will not forsake us either!
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