PASSIONATE PURSUIT...HABAKKUK PROPHESY

Habakkuk 1:1-5
 
The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. O Lord, How long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! Even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! Why dost thou shew iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth. Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.
 
The prophet Habakkuk cries out to the Lord while also being used to confirm the words of Jeremiah the prophet as well. The prophet is among a people who the Lord will soon deliver to judgment. They will go into captivity. However, there is still a remnant of those who have not given to abomination and idolatry. There is corruption everywhere amongst the children of God. There are workers of iniquity that seem to prosper in their way and the prophet crying out on behalf of the righteous. It seems that the longsuffering of the Lord is taken for slackness and as if the Lord is not attentive to what's going on but he does see. He hears. He knows all things concerning His chosen. Sometimes the Lord's mercy can be taken for slack because He is abundant in mercy and tender loving kindness. There are times we are “crushed” in spirit, but the Lord says that a broken and contrite spirit He will in no ways cast away.
 
The prophet Habakkuk gets on his knees and begins to cry to the Lord in prayer concerning the injustice that he sees among the children of God. His heart's cry was one that provokes the Lord to speak through him prophetically. He said “Behold” you among the heathen. The Lord is saying “Look” you who are the midst of the unbeliever. Pay attention I will do a work that is going to be marvelous. These people wouldn't believe it even if it were told them. I have something prepared for the wicked, sayeth the Lord. The Lord shares with the prophet that He is raising up an enemy and this enemy will not take pity. They are terrible and dreadful. These wonders that will be performed cannot be fathomed. Even if the Lord could explain they are so full of unbelief they couldn't comprehend such revelation without experiencing for themselves. The Lord will use this enemy to devastate them in such a way the Lord doesn't put it into words.
12
Art thou not from everlasting, O Lord my God, mine Holy One? We shall not die. O Lord, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.
The Lord confirms that some folks are set in place for the sake of judgment. There are tares that grow in the midst of the wheat. However, there will be an appointed time when the reapers will do the separation and the just shall be severed from the wicked.
Jude 4
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus.
 We cannot fret ourselves because of evildoers or be envious of those who seem to prosper in their way. They shall be cut down as the grass and become no more. Some think that the Lord worked signs, miracles, and wonders only in the form of healings or to cure someone of disease. However, He works signs for the edification of the spiritual part of us. Sometimes that involves building and establishing a reverent fear of the living God. When the Lord allowed pharaoh to come against the children in Egypt He was able to show His strength and might as a deliverer. When the Amelekites came against the children of Israel the Lord commanded Moses to hold up his hands until they were defeated. When he put his hands down they would gain ground. This gesture of obedience was symbol of praise. When we praise the Lord through circumstance and in the midst of our afflictions we overcome. When we let our hands down our enemies can gain ground. The Lord said that He will do a work among the heathen and they will wonder marvellously. His wonders will be unbelievable. Nonetheless, He will make it clear that He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. There is no other besides Him. He is the righteous judge, though, with our natural eye it seems that truth and justice tarry long.