Lessons From Habakkuk

I was reading Habakkuk in my devotions and was impressed by how relevant this book is for us today. The Lord gave me some key thoughts which I would love to share. They are as follows.

(My Word document doesn't keep all of its formatting when it is copied to this blog.)

Chapter One

God, are you there? How long must I call for help? Vs.2

God, do you care? Why do you not answer? Vs. 2

God, are you fair? Why do you tolerate wrong. Verses 3,4

o Injustice

o Destruction, violence, strife

o Wicked hem in the righteous

o Justice is perverted

God answers – Bad people are coming to deal with these bad people in Israel

But is that fair, they are worse than those they are destroying?

Chapter Two

Habakkuk – God I don’t understand but I will watch and wait for an answer. Vs. 1

God answers: Journal this: (verses 2,3)

· The revelation, (understanding of things,) has an appointed time.

· There is an end coming and the revelation is related to that end. History is moving to a conclusion.

· The revelation will be true and all God’s promises will be true.

· If it is not clear and it delays, just keep waiting, it will come.

God’s conclusion, “the righteous will live by faith.” Vs. 4

What about the wicked?

Woe to those who:

o Pile up stolen goods vs. 6

o Build his realm by unjust gain vs. vs. 9

o Build a city with bloodshed vs. 12

o Take advantage of others for sexual exploitation vs. 15

o Practice idolatry vs. 19

The cup from the Lord’s right hand is coming around to you. Vs. 16

In spite of everything we see around us, “The Lord is in his Holy Temple, let all the earth be silent before him.” Vs. 20

Chapter Three

Historical Perspective—God has done mighty things in the past. Vs 2 (reviewed in verses 3-15)

Contemporary Perspective – Lord come and do mighty things in our midst today. Vs. 2

Habakkuk’s response:

· He heard, he grasped the awesome power of God. Vs. 16

· He became emotionally engaged, heart lips, legs. vs. 16

· He declares his willingness to wait for God’s action even if: verses 16-17

o There are no grapes or figs

o There is no harvest of olives

o There are no sheep in the pen

o There are no cattle in the stalls

o (In other words the economy stinks.)

He affirms his willingness to live joyfully in the Lord (This is how Jesus-followers are to be known.) vs. 18

How can Habakkuk affirm these things?

“The Sovereign Lord is his strength” Vs. 19 (Helping him rise above the circumstances to see things the way God sees them.) We need God’s Holy Spirit to live with hope in a world where evil surrounds us.

Missional Lessons from the Book of Jonah

As I was reading through the book of Jonah in my devotions, the following thoughts came to me. I hope they will be helpful to others. They are not new but they confirm some key elements of God's redemptive process.

1. God loves bad people.
2. Judgement awaits bad people who continue in their ways.
3. God calls and uses imperfect people to deliver his message.
4. Share God's message openly. You never know who will respond.
5. God has mercy on those who humble themselves.
6. Whole cities can be impacted when the leaders humble themselves.
7. God continues to love and teach his messengers.

Well that's it, I look forward to being one of those imperfect messengers in 2012.

Blessings to all,

John Quam

Phrases for Meditation and Reflection

I have committed to reflecting and meditating on a key phrase each day starting in January 2012. I have listed here my phrases for January. I would like to discipline my mind to consider these positive thoughts in a more concerted way. I invite anyone who reads this to join me. Feel free to exchange phrases as you are led. Let me know of key phrases God brings to your mind. There are eleven more months to fill out. :)


Daily phrases
for meditation and reflection:
January
1. God is good
2. Holy is the Lord
3. God is patient
4. God forgives
5. God is love
6. Abba Father
7. Jesus our Bridegroom
8. He has risen
9. Hope in the Lord
10. Jesus the Vine
11. God the Creator
12. Jesus the Logos
13. Lover of the poor
14. The Holy Spirit gives freedom
15. God is merciful
16. Jesus is the Truth
17. Sing praise to the Lord
18. All good gifts are from the Lord
19. All nations will worship Him
20. Give thanks always
21. He gives us new songs
22. Prince of Peace
23. Follow Him, he gives us our desires
24. By grace through faith
25. Lord of the Sabbath
26. Be exalted O’ God
27. Dead to sin
28. Jesus is the Way
29. Jesus the Good Shepherd
30. Lord of the Harvest
31. Come Lord Jesus