Discover His heart: He uses whatever means He chooses to change the hearts of men
I’ve had several friends throughout the years that are just plain bold. They’re not intimidated by anyone and seem to have the intestinal fortitude to ask the hard questions of others without batting an eye. Some of them have come from difficult situations that have made them strong and fearless, and I think a few of them just don’t know any better. Regardless, they are the ones I like on my team, whatever the task because they get the answers we need. After reading Habakkuk, I get the impression that he was one of them. I mean, with a name like Habakkuk, it’s either going to make you or break you, and in the way he addressed the Lord, I think we can assume he made it just fine.
“How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery?” (1:2-3) See what I mean? Habakkuk was bold, he asked the hard questions of the Lord, and he certainly lived up to the reputation of a prophet. God answered Habakkuk’s questions because He understood his heart. Over the years, the prophet pleaded with the Israelites to repent and seek God’s help, but sin and disobedience increased. In these verses, He was calling on God to act. Many of us find ourselves in similar situations, calling for our nation, our family or our friends to repent and praying for God to act, but as Habakkuk learned, we must be prepared to accept how He chooses to respond.
“Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it. I am raising up the Babylonians, a cruel and violent people. They will march across the world and conquer other lands.” (1:5-6) God would one day allow the Babylonians to humble Israel, but this wasn’t what Habakkuk had in mind when he prayed. Not willing to hold back, he responded to the Lord, “O Lord my God, my Holy One, you who are eternal—surely you do not plan to wipe us out? O Lord, our Rock, you have sent these Babylonians to correct us, to punish us for our many sins…Will you wink at their treachery?” (12-13)
God will use whatever means He desires to bring about change in the hearts of men, and He went on to inform Habakkuk that Babylon would one day receive its punishment for its willingness to destroy Israel. Whatever change we are praying about in the lives of individuals or nations, we must surrender to God’s omnipotent plan for the answer he chooses and not attempt to confine Him to our limited understanding.
When I surrender to His divine plan for the one I am praying about, I often say a similar prayer as this offered by Habakkuk, “I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy.” (3:2) Remember your mercy. We surrender to your plan, but our hearts cry for mercy. Don’t give us what we deserve, but be merciful in how you perfect and change us. And we know He hears our prayer because we, just like Habakkuk, have heard all about Him. (3:2)
Moving Forward: I may not be a bold prophet like Habakkuk, but I know how to pray a bold prayer for my nation and for those I love. I will trust His plan to bring about change, but with it, I pray for His mercy.
Tomorrow @ Acts 9-10
Phyllis Benigas 