King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Saturday, August 20, 2022
Chapters: THE BOOK OF HABAKKUK
Study: Rejoice Through The Suffering
Hello My Friend,
When I woke up this morning, I felt pretty good, but started feeling tired and lethargic shortly after I finished reading the chapters for today. I got dressed, laid down for about thirty minutes when there was a knock at the door, it was a rep to give us an estimate on fixing our roof. As my mom was filling out the paperwork, we ended up going past the time that I would head to the church for soul winning. Well, during our conversation Jesus came up, and I ended up walking him through the plan of salvation and explaining some things to him about God. The strangest thing was that he knew that I knew what I was talking about. And let me tell you, everything might be falling apart in this world, but just like Jesus said, the fields are white.
[John 4:35-38 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. 38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.]
During my conversation with the man, we discussed “Christians” who cheat on their spouses and pastors demanding expensive cars from their congregations, and how they prove not to be the example of Christ. We also discussed what happens after you are saved and sin again, that grace is what keeps us saved as long we sincerely accepted Christ as our Saviour. As we take a pause from Jeremiah, we come to Habakkuk. The Book of Habakkuk contains three chapters, the author is Habakkuk and it was written to the people of Judah. The timeline for these events took place approximately between 608BC and 590BC. The purpose of the book was to awaken Judah to their spiritual needs and remind them that God is merciful to the just. What we are to learn from the book is that the just shall live by faith alone, [Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.]
Habakkuk, prophesied during the time that the Chaldean’s are about to attack Jerusalem, during Jehoiakim’s reign. This was also about the time that Jeremiah was either in the dungeon or just released and got stuck with the rebels as they were fleeing to Egypt and captured him. Habakkuk, is beside himself, wondering where God is, why all these things were happening, and why God is judging them when the wicked are getting away with everything. Well, Habakkuk, does what all of us faithful Christians do from time to time when we do not understand God’s plan, he forms a complaint with God, and asks Him about His judgment on the faithful.
[Habakkuk 1:1-4 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. 2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! 3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. 4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.]
[Therefore the law is slacked,] Habakkuk, is asking God, “Why are you doing this to Your faithful, we have done nothing wrong, and we are the ones getting punished?” Well, God, does what He does best when He answers Habakkuk, [Habakkuk 1:5-6,9 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. 6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs. 9 They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.]
[I raise up the Chaldeans,] God, is telling Habakkuk that He is the one who sent them, who purposed them that way to send judgment on His people. We really do have a hard time understanding that while God does have His vessels of honor, He also has His vessels of dishonor. And here is the thing, the judgment is not on His faithful, the judgment is placed on those who are rebellious and too proud to repent or their sin, let alone admit they have sinned. And yes, we do have to face some discomfort during this time, but, as God had told Jeremiah, there will be an expected end, and only His faithful who endure until the end will see it, [Romans 9:21-23 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,]
Well, Habakkuk, kind of understood the judgment, but still feels a little displaced, no matter where he turns or what he does, he cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. He wants to know why he has to suffer the judgment that God has placed on them. So, he brings up another complaint to God.
[Habakkuk 1:12-14,17 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. 13 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? 14 And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them? 17 Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?]
[and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth] This time Habakkuk is asking God, “Okay God, You are sending judgment on us for our sin, but what about them? Are they not going to be judged since they are more wicked than we are?” Well, right at that time, Habakkuk, is starting to get scared, he just knew that God was going to chasten him for asking this question.
[Habakkuk 2:1-4 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. 2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 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. 4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.]
[and what I shall answer when I am reproved.] Habakkuk, just knows that God is going to judge him for what he had just said. I think we all do that whenever we ask God why He did something, looking over our shoulders, just waiting to see what would happen to us because we questioned Him. Well, unless we are being disrespectful or tempting Him, He actually encourages the questions. Why? Because God does want us to prove Him just as much as He proves us. What I mean by that is that God wants us to test Him in a way that shows who He is. We are to never tempt God, but He loves to show us what He is capable of, as long as we make that first move by trusting Him, [1 Thessalonians 5:21-23 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.]
[his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him:] What God is saying is that the righteous might suffer right now, but they will live to tell about it, but the wicked will die in their sin in due time. You see, we who are as we learned yesterday, prey to the wicked, shall live as one day all of our suffering will be over and spend eternity with Christ. As for the wicked, they not only have hell to pay for what they did, they have an eternity in the lake of fire to remember everything they ever did. Well, God answered Habakkuk, and He was not angry.
[Habakkuk 2:6,9,13 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! 9 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! 13 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?]
[and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!] Thick clay is in reference to wealth, they were guilty of increasing their wealth wickedly. Those who travel through the thick mud of evil to get the wealth they are become a burden to themselves. They overload themselves with this thick clay, sinking themselves down into destruction and perdition, [1 Timothy 6:9-10 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.]
We can fuss at God all we want for all the evil that is going on, and wonder why they are not getting what they deserve, but God is standing on the sidelines on this, He does not have to do anything Himself because they are destroying themselves within themselves. When you stop to think about it, we truly are blessed to suffer in our righteousness rather than for what they are suffering in their sin. And it is okay to bring our complaint before God, He wants to hear them, the problem is, we may not always like the answer. God, goes on to explain that they are the ones causing all this, and then He has a complaint.
[Habakkuk 2:18-20 What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? 19 Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. 20 But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.]
[What profiteth the graven image] Let me tell you, we are going to trip and fall and get back up more times than we care to admit, but each and every time, that makes us much more stronger to endure what is yet to come. The reason why we can fall and get back up so quickly is not in our own ability, it comes from the very foundation upon which we do stand, and that is Jesus Christ, and we are going to lose a lot of things while we are here. That house I am buying, I cannot take it with me, it will be gone or belong to someone else, hopefully forty years from now. However, what I can take with me is Christ, which I do need, and any of us.
[1 Corinthians 3:11-15 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.]
We somehow get it in our heads that we cannot ask God why or bring our complaints to Him. God wants to hear our complaints, He wants us to ask questions, but He also wants our trust, and our faithfulness to Him despite our not understanding what it going on. You see, when God allows us to suffer, it is not that He does it to punish us, He does it to draw us closer to Him, to get us to see that it is all in His hands and His time. Of course, it is okay to bring our complaint to Him, and when we do we will discover in His time that the just do live by faith. Habakkuk, realized that while God does allow the pain and suffering in the world because of sin, His faithful will overcome.
[Habakkuk 3:2,5-6,8,13 O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. 5 Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet. 6 He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting. 8 Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation? 13 Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.]
[Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.] We are going to face famines, persecution, chastisement, sometimes for our own sins, but many times wrongfully, rejoice anyway, it is only temporary, [1 Peter 4:14-17 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?]
Remember, it is not what we are facing right now that will be eternal, it is what they are facing if they refuse to repent that will be eternal for them. Habakkuk, goes on to praise God in his prayer, with the reminder that God, will see him through.
[Habakkuk 3:16-19 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops. 17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.]
[and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet,] No matter what we go through, no matter what we put ourselves through, we belong to Jesus, if we are saved. We can fuss at God all we want for all the chaos that is going on, but God is standing on the sidelines here, He does not have to do anything Himself because the people are destroying themselves. Only those whom have put their faith and trust in Christ and keep it there as they endure all this mess will be saved. And we will be like hinds feet.
[Isaiah 40:28-31 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You, for saving a wretch like me the second I trusted Your Son as my Saviour. I know that I am prepared for Your return or You to bring me home. I may not know what tomorrow brings, but I do know that You will be there and You will see me through everything that I go through. Lord, it is not always easy to get through the suffering, but I am going to praise You anyway. With You by my side I know that it will all come to pass. Lead me and guide me, keep me looking to You, let me not turn to the right or left, just keep my eyes straight on You. Give me Your mercy, grace, power, and strength to endure all the suffering. I will rejoice in You for You are the God of my salvation, I am nothing without You, and I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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