WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT...BIBLE STUDY NIGHT

Habakkuk 1
 
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.
 
For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to posses the dwellingplaces that are not theirs. They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves. Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat. They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand. And they scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.
 
After having heard the prayers of Habakkuk, the Lord was merciful to give him a prophetic Word in the midst of his cries. The Lord shared that He already had a plan in place for the children of disobedience. He has given a Word in addition to the words of prophecy given by Jeremiah. He is raising up an enemy to render judgment upon the nations. The enemies will come in and they will take residence in places that were not designated to them. The Lord says that this enemy is terrible and dreadful. Just as he shared about the anti-christ to the prophet Daniel. He said the beasts were terrible and would destroy wonderfully. Their judgment and dignity will come from themselves, meaning these enemies are lawless. They don't carry integrity or pity. They live by their own set of rules and boundaries. Their animals are demonic, fierce, and swifter than what we have seen. They will come specifically for violence, not even peaceably and will take captive more than can be numbered. They will not have a reverence for kings, princes, or those in political authority.
 
Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god. 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. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?
 
The prophet is speaking of judgment hour for the children of God in the last days. The Lord Jesus always has an appointed time of harvest. He said he would send His reapers, who will sever the wicked from the just. During these times, the people are tried to see if they will come forth purified by fire or who will abandon their holy covenant. Many will choose to give heed to higher powers  and strange gods that are not the living God. These gods were already in place, the idolatries, and abominations. This is what provoked the judgment in the first place. There are rulers of the darkness of this world which cause the children to provoke the jealousy of the Most High. Although these things seem to have manifested naturally, this is a picture of spiritual warfare. This warfare is intense and at at time where they should call on the name of the living God, they change their mind. They relinquish their God-given authority to falsehood.
 
The Lord has Habakkuk ask the question, “Are you not from everlasting?” Meaning, Is there any greater than the Most High? Is His arm too short that he cannot save? Is he not the Ancient of Days and the originator of all power? Surely, if we call on the name of Jesus we shall not die. Yet, those who forsake the living God have been ordained for such condemnation. However, the Lord is not slack with His judgment, but that we shall come to the knowledge of Him and repent.
 
The Lord reveals that he has pure eyes and looks away from our iniquity and transgressions because of His loving kindness and tender mercies. We have yet to receive the recompense and reward for our sins because he has been faithful to forgive. However, Habakkuk urges the Lord to look. Behold what they do. If you do not intervene they shall even devour the righteous. Arise, to deliver for you are our righteousness.
 
And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them? They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore rejoice and are glad. Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous. Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?
 
Habakkuk asks, Aren't we as the fish of the sea? Aren't we the seed of Abraham which cannot be numbered? We have not created ourselves. We are the Lord's heritage, called by His name for His purpose and good pleasure. We have a ruler. Jesus is the King of Kings. His kingdom is everlasting. They are taken with the angle is to say that the people are being baited. They are lured with deception. The adversary rejoices when we are caught in the snares and traps. They worship the work of their hands.
 
They credit the net for their abundance. Therefore, they do not acknowledge the living God as their provider, who has enlarged their territory. Their job is their worship. They put all of their time and effort into building for themselves, and delivering to the slaughter for covetousness. Therefore, are they that have forsaken the covenant caught in their own snare. Nonetheless, Habakkuk says to the Lord to not let them slay all the nations. There has to be a place to draw the line and restore to yourself O' Lord a remnant. For the elect's sake the Lord shall cut things short in righteousness. He will be to them a repairer of the breach and the God who redeems.
 
Prayer changes things. The effectual fervent prayers of the righteous availeth much. Jesus commanded us in the last days to watch as well as pray. He is our advocate with the Father. He will hear us.  
 
I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
 
Jesus comes that we may have life and have it more abundantly. He is the good shepherd. He is know of His. His sheep hear His voice. Having prayed and lamented unto the Lord, the Lord gives the prophetic concerning His people and those who do not return to him. Nonetheless, the prophet says I will watch to see what the Spirit of God will do; because the people in the midst are stiffnecked and a perverted generation. Jeremiah has given the Word. Ezekiel has given the Word. Several prophets have been sent to warn the people of the coming judgment because of the depths of the Lord's love for His children. Spiritually things seem out of control. Yet, all things have been created for him and by him.
 
Habakkuk will wait to see what the Lord will say. He's saying watch as a true priest and gatekeeper. While he elevates he prepares himself to be reproved by the Lord. He sees so much that he wants to be sure he is not responsible for the injustices and slack of the Lord's movement in the circumstances.  In these last days it is easy to get confused to think you've done something wrong or that chaos around you is your fault. People are stiffnecked because of you. People are going astray because of you. People aren't showing love because of you. You didn't love enough. You didn't pray enough. You didn't preach enough. A falling away must come before the end. The Word must be fulfilled. However, we must still look to the hills from which cometh our help. Look to Jesus for leadership and guidance.
 
The Lord answered Habakkuk's original question, “Why doest thou show me iniquity and grievance?” He instructed him to write the vision. Write what you see. With the understanding I've given you, make it plain. He said those who read it may run, meaning, they will fear the wrath to come. They will fear the judgment. They will fear the indignation. What we see is for an appointed time. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. The consequence of sin will surely come to those who refused to surrender to the living God. The Lord is merciful. He is longsuffering. He looks past our faults to meet our needs for His love. Love covers a multitude of sin. Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage. His word will not return void.
 
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Yea also because he trangresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people: Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? And to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!
 
The Lord says to observe the prideful man for his soul is not upright before him. Those who are justified are those who walk by faith. They shall obtain mercy and favor. They drink wine and thereby transgress. Therefore, their home is not in order in the sight of God. They have many desires but they do not originate from on High. They are not righteous to do the will and purpose of Christ. These folks cannot be satisfied with righteousness, and yet they attempt to gather other nations and compel them to follow in their wicked way. There's a cliche that states misery loves company. Hell hath enlarged herself. Even today, I am writing in the second decade of the twenty first century. There are several social media platforms that focus on multitude of followers and “friends.”
 
God is a jealous God. We are His creation. We belong to him. There is nothing that we have that we haven't been given. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. The Lord doesn't want us to be heavy laden and burdened down. This includes debt. He desires that we prosper and be in good health. He says there is woe to them that take on debt in attempt to increase what doesn't belong to them. This is gambling and not showing good stewardship over the Lord's provisions. He says if we be faithful over a few things he will make us a ruler over many. (Matthew 25:21)
 
Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and wake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them? Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein. Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil! Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul. For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it. Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!
 
The Lord's kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. In the last days, the Lord Jesus says, “Seek him and live.” Seek for His spirit to reign because he will lead His children by the hand. He is the truth and the way. His saints will inherit the kingdom. The Lord is called a healer and a deliverer. In order for restoration of a nation to take place, he addresses sin and gets to the root of what caused the error and the children to backslide. He shared with Habakkuk that he is coming with His wrath upon the disobedient. They will get their due reward. The hearts of the people are far from the Lord. They desire inappropriate desires. Building the kingdom of God and His righteousness is not a priority of this people. They build up their own homes as if it is their own kingdom. They prioritize themselves and go forth to do their own will and obtain that which has not been set aside for them. They desire homes, businesses, and families that have not been ordained by the Most High.
 
These things are not natural. These things you must spiritually discern. There is spiritual warfare that is disbursed upon the chosen ones. There is a violence in the land...a spiritual violence because people are given to covetous practices. Men desire to be with another man's wife. Women desire of another woman's husband. Money, power, and respect is the driving force of the sin and the corruption in the land. Therefore, is the Word fulfilled that the wages of sin is death. They covet with an evil covetousness because they are willing to kill, steal, destroy, and conspire against the righteous in order to obtain what is not theirs. There is an appointed time to build, but woe to them that are building their own kingdoms. The Lord says the stones and beams will cry out. These corrupt foundations will not stand. The wickedness of these people cannot be put into words. Yet, the Lord did warn it shall be as the days of Noah and like unto the days of Sodom and Gomorrah.
 
Behold, is it not of the Lord of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity? For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the Lord's right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory. For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

#repent #seekhim #knowhim #keephiscommands #watchandpray #holdfasttotruth