Today I've been reading Nahum and Habakkuk. Both of these prophets have short letters written. Nahum is strong and positive in his outlook. Yes, Israel and Judah have suffered, been invaded, exiled and scourged, but those who did this (Assyria) will get their due and Israel will be restored. If we were living during this time we'd be tempted to salute and applaud Nahum's words.
Habakkuk is more troubled. He is asking God the questions we all ask - WHY? Why is this all happening? Why is God allowing the troubles and even (seemingly) ignoring the pain?
Most of us have had times where we found ourselves in the "storm" and didn't know whether or not we'd make it out. That storm can be physical pain, disease, financial problems, even political confusion, but the nature of each is the confusion, the endless thinking about what to do next, the sense of lostness - can't find the way out.
Navigating storms is an art. Habakkuk leads us through this and comes to a conclusion that is worth our remembering when our own storms occur. In the final chapter, he states:
"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights.
(Habakkuk 3:17-19 NLT)
Our prayers are not unnoticed and our faith is not in vain. We pray and we hope because of the character of our God. We cannot stop the storms but we can take shelter where it is safe to ride it out.
Peace
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
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