America has emerged from one of the harshest winters in many years. Springtime has brought devastating tornadoes, forest fires and raging floods. Politically our nation is moving rapidly toward Socialism which is a prelude to Communism. Is God trying to get our attention? Is He calling us back to Himself? We’ve removed the Bible, His Word, from our schools and His Ten Commandments from our courts, we’re murdering over 1.5 million of our unborn children each year through abortion and there is even disagreement over what constitutes marriage! We’re in trouble as a Nation, because … We’ve left God out. I’ve written a poem We’ve Left God Out about this on “Pennireef Papers.”
Perilous Times
Habakkuk dialed 911 but apparently got no answer. “How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” Habakkuk 1:2 Ever feel like that?
The prophet lived in the midst of an ongoing emergency. There was violence, injustice, strife and conflict. The law seemed paralyzed and justice was perverted. We can all relate to Habakkuk today.
The Lord’s answer was for him to write the vision: “The just shall live by faith.” In this materialistic age that is a little harder to identify with.
Lawlessness and perilous times described the situation we encountered in Eastern Europe immediately following the revolutions of 1989 that brought down the Berlin Wall and deposed communist dictatorships.
Driving a western car in Eastern Europe could be dangerous to your health. Robbers would use any force necessary to capture such a valuable item with the keys. Crime hit an all time high in the winter with bandits blocking the road, using an iron bar on a window (and the driver’s head) then vanishing with the coveted valuables. Serbian snipers (in Yugoslavia) fired on German-made cars because of Germany’s support of Croatia.
Dr. Paul Negrut, one of Romania’s Christian leaders told me, “The road from tyranny to democracy must go through anarchy.” Habakkuk would understand.
In the midst of some really bad times Habakkuk remained faithful, even if his heart pounded and his lips quivered. When crops failed and livestock perished he resolved, “I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” His joy was in the God of salvation. His joy was not the result of circumstances, but of triumph over them. He was certain that eventually, “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk 2:14
He determined to “wait patiently” and “rejoice.” Good idea!
Bill Bathman – Mesa, Arizona
May 20, 2011