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1 The problem as God gave Habakkuk to see it: 2 God, how long do I have to cry out for help before you listen? How many times do I have to yell, "Help! Murder! Police!" before you come to the rescue? 3 Why do you force me to look at evil, stare trouble in the face day after day? Anarchy and violence break out, quarrels and fights all over the place. 4 Law and order fall to pieces. Justice is a joke. The wicked have the righteous hamstrung and stand justice on its head. God Says, "Look!" 1 What's God going to say to my questions? I'm braced for the worst. I'll climb to the lookout tower and scan the horizon. I'll wait to see what God says, how he'll answer my complaint. 2 And then God answered: "Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. 3 This vision-message is a witness pointing to what's coming. It aches for the coming - it can hardly wait! And it doesn't lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It's on its way. It will come right on time. 4 "Look at that man, bloated by self-importance - full of himself but soul-empty. But the person in right standing before God through loyal and steady believing is fully alive, really alive. (Habbakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 The Message Bible)
It was on what was the front porch of La Trinidad UMC here in Seguin, Texas, when I was still in high school that I sat with other high school MYFers as we sat in a class taught by The Rev. Rudolfo Barrera, then a young pastor of The Rio Grande Conference. Rudolfo was to teach us an introduction to this book of the prophet Habakkuk. Rev. Barrera said he always thought of Coca-Cola when he thought of this prophet's name because he thought Habakkuk sounded too close to "Have a Coke." It would seem that the Coca-Cola company's massive advertising budget had paid off. At one time Coke prided itself in saying that you could not walk more than 5 miles in any direction without coming to a Coke product. The company prided itself on the amount of money they spend every year to keep the top spot in the soft drink world.
Habakkuk is the last of the minor prophets; known more for his conversations with God than any interaction with the people; though their history during this tenure speaks of an unfaithful lot, seeking new and innovative ways to drift away from Yahweh. The prophet hurts in his heart and finds it more pressing to speak to God about possible solutions, for his frustration is evident in his comments, "God, how long do I have to cry out for help before you listen?" The prophet feels like we do at times, that God takes too long to respond to our needs and prayers. Our need is on par with what the prophet is saying that the people of God face: "Help! Murder! Police!" Are not these things of the most urgent level? Habakkuk was already facing evil in the face, and not just once a day, but several times a day, day after day. The people were already involved in anarchy and violence; fights breaking out; law and order were just words once upon a time; and Justice had packed up and left town years ago. The wicked had the run of the place and their desire was to get God out of their business and enjoy what they were free to do.
But as we know all too well, God has the last word in all things. And His last word to the prophet is that God was still in charge; strongly rooted in the rock solid foundation of truth and righteousness. Evil has no desire for visions of the good available for those who seek it; though it may seem slow in coming, it is on its way, and will arrive right on time. The self-important people full of themselves are empty in their souls; theirs will be lost for their desire is not of God and fullness of life. God will make them come fully alive.
Faith isn't pretending everything is fine. It's choosing to believe that God is working even when we can't see it. It's climbing our own watchtowers, positioning our hearts to hear, and trusting that the vision will come to pass in its appointed time. Where do you find yourself in this story? Are you seeking self-fulfillment and avoiding God? Now is the time to right your direction and head home towards God.
PRAYER: God, give us the courage to wait with expectation rather than walk away in frustration, trusting that Your vision for our lives will unfold in Your perfect timing. In Jesus' strong name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Today, identify one area where you're waiting for God's answer. Write it down, place it somewhere visible, and commit to "watch and wait" with active faith rather than anxious striving.
I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me. There is no one like you in tihis entire world. Make an impact on others!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
