Pray for yourself - from Habakkuk

Habakkuk 3:17 - 19 has been outstanding to me all day. Not because it is a popular verse but because something in it is applicable for today. So, I read the whole book for context. 

Israel had gotten itself into a conundrum again that required a Prophet to stand in the gap. The book opens with Habakkuk the prophet lamenting on behalf of Israel. 

This lamentation is one I can relate with. I remember praying for someone to get married and at one point I said to God, " God, you do not tease men with promises". I did not say it this calmly, I can promise you.

As I read chapter 1, I can see why this conversation is important; Israel is in a hot mess! 

However, verse 12 changes what I think is going on. Hab.1.12 - 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.

Hab.1.13 - 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?

Habakkuk knows something about God's character and begins to put what he knows to God. Lord, I know you are too holy to watch the enemy dash us into pieces. Lord, we are wrong but these guys...na! They are just for experiments before judgment. 

Why is this important? You need to be able to see the things that have plagued you in this single season in context. You need to stop weighing them against yourself and start weighing them against the holiness and the goodness of God. 

Lord, you are too holy to let my heart be broken all the days of my life. You are too compassionate to allow me keep choosing abusive people. You are too kind to let me cry myself to sleep consistently and not interfere. Weigh it beside the character of God! 

When we get to the famous Habakkuk 2:1 - 2, the Prophet was simply saying "Lord, I don't know the full detail of what's going on but I am going to stand in a posture of prayer and shut up my mouth about what I think is going on, so I can hear you speak even if it means you are about to chastise me".

As you come to Married in a year, this must be your heart posture; Lord, I will shut up about what I think is going on so you can speak even if it means you will chastise me.

The Lord answered! The Lord answered! That man was lamenting and there was context but until he got on his watch, he did not get an answer! The answer did not just put things in perspective, it told him what to do! 

The Lord starts speaking about the vision (judgment coming on their enemy, etc), how the just ought to live (in faith - fully aware that he's waiting for the vision if it tarries), and how the Earth would be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God. 

Habakkuk started off praying for Israel and ended up with a world prophecy. When he juxtaposes this prophecy with the works of God among his ancestors, he comes to a conclusion - The Lord is to be feared.

This new awe of God is the premise for his declaration at the closing of the book 

Hab.3.17 - 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:

Hab.3.18 - Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Hab.3.19 - 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.

As you come to Married in a year, I want you to ask God to open your eyes to see God's vision for your marriage and its implication on the Earth at large. 

If you can see from God's lens, you will understand that what your natural eyes can see is inconsequential; your joy can still be full as you wait in faith. 

As amplified version says of v.19 - The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army... 

Believe God is for you. Ask God to show you where He has already equipped you for marriage. So that your showing up at married in a year is onto strength and not fear or shame.

I love you; God loves you more.

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