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The Battle is Real

Today’s reading is Psalm 81.

Psalm 81:1-3 begins with an instruction to worship the Lord with songs, instruments, and praises. There is then a reminder to Israel of what God has done for them in Psalm 81:6-8 and then a warning to listen to God and put him first in Psalm 81:8-12. This is followed by a promise to provide for Israel when they put God first in Psalm 81:13-16.

Over the last few months it seems as though we’ve seen a substantial number of mass shootings, including multiple in churches with one this past weekend. This is in addition to many other heinous crimes in the news. Despite these terrible events, I’m more encouraged than ever in my 42 years on this Earth that the people of the United States are turning back to God. I’m not going to site all the sources, but you can quickly do your own research to find that there are increased Bible sales, increased streams of Christian music even out pacing top secular artists, and church attendance and baptisms are growing rapidly. What’s maybe most encouraging is that Generation Z (those born between 1997-2012) is leading the way in these areas. Our youth, the future of our country and the ones who will are and will be getting married and having kids, is turning to God. Praise the Lord!

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

Boy are they ever, and I could not be prouder. It seems as though a revival is happening through them and also carrying over to older generations as well.

So why are all the other terrible events happening we read about in the news and maybe even see firsthand? God is real, so that means Satan and evil is real. In fact, I’ve seen some saying on social media that recent terrible events prove evil is real so that God also must be real, spurring them to go to church.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12

The Bible tells us the battle between good and evil, spiritual warfare, is real. Satan is fighting back. But, God also tells us in Bible from the very beginning when sin entered the world that He would defeat it through Jesus.

He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.

Genesis 3:15b

As a recent popular saying on shirts says, Jesus won. He defeated sin and the grave through His Resurrection so we can too when we give our life to Him. Let us remember that as we see evil and let us pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to win hearts in our country and throughout the world one by one.

Embracing God’s Ways: Habakkuk

Through his back and forth dialogue with the Lord, the prophet Habakkuk gives us so many lessons in just three chapters. As he tries to understand God’s ways, he learns to embrace them, which is the very definition of his name.

Here’s a breakdown of the three chapters:

I love that Habakkuk has boldness to ask the Lord what’s on his heart. He doesn’t shy away from the tough questions of why, when, how, (and then more ‘why’ questions). He’s asking similar questions I find myself pondering today:

Why do you allow evil, God? Why do awful things happen to Christ-followers? The helpless? The unborn?

Why are you allowing the wicked to prosper? When will they be judged? This world is a hot mess – hurry!

As you read through this dialogue, do you notice how Habakkuk verbalizes to God his character in verse twelve? It seems as though he is reminding himself who God is, right as he is asking God his second round of ‘why’ questions.

He knows that God is holy, everlasting, eternal, a mighty rock, an establisher, and faithful. He even says We will not die. He knows that God will not let them die, and will continue to fulfill his promise to his people (Abrahamic covenant).

As Habakkuk continues with his questions – WHY use THEM? I have to admit I’ve had similar thoughts. And then I also can’t help but wonder WHY God uses ME. Or any of us. While the world wants to live in the comparison game, we know that only God’s judgement is righteous and fair. He isn’t looking at me compared to anyone else. On judgement day I will be standing solo. The Chaldeans may have made the people of Judah look less awful… but God saw wickedness across the board. And He uses it all as He sees fit. And judges it when and how He sees fit.

I can see where God has used sin committed against me, to sanctify me. Draw me closer to him. Cry out to him. And the sins I have committed against others, He also uses. It’s pretty humbling to think of how He can use even my biggest messes.

In the final chapter, we see Habakkuk embracing God’s plan. He praises God for who he is and what he has done and what we will do. Do you see the three Selah pauses in this chapter? I always think of those as a dramatic call to silence and meditation in that moment of the passage.

And then at the end of verse 16 we see him waiting. Waiting on the Lord’s timing. Waiting on the Lord’s plan. Quietly waiting, all the while he is trembling. What a beautiful picture of faith – it doesn’t mean that we are without worry or fear, but that with the trembling, we obey. We quietly wait for the Lord. Not only does he quietly wait – verse 18 shows us that he also rejoices! So he has gone from questioning, to embracing, to rejoicing!

Can you apply Habakkuk’s approach to any questions or problems you’re facing today?

I get lost in the confusion of our political climate and ask a lot of why, when and how questions about world issues. I’m going to try to process those in light of Habakkuk’s example. What do I know about God and how can I more fully trust in his eternal and perfect plan?

I have challenging relationships that need this wisdom, and the reminder to not get stuck in the comparison trap. God uses each of us in different ways, that are far beyond my understanding.

Can I rejoice and find true joy in the Lord, even when I _______ his plan?

- - - am worried about
    - don’t like
    - am confused by
    - am trembling about
    - don’t want to wait for

God, thanks for giving us this amazing true account of your relationship with your prophet, Habakkuk! It teaches us so much about who you are and to have faith in you. You are Holy, Eternal, Almighty, and Faithful!

Temptation

Today’s Reading: Matthew 6:13 and Psalm 76

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Matthew 6:13

Good morning Monday readers. As the temps finally begin to rise and we are seeing God’s work in the blooming tulips we have the opportunity to dive deep into the next verse of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Today, we’re focusing on temptation. As soon as I hear that word, I start thinking about tasty chocolates and expensive purses! Our family is moving to a new home this week and I’ve been forced to face the reality of my sin when it comes to materialism. I’ve given away and yet it still seems as if we have so much. It’s taken so much discipline to avoid purchasing more things! How many of us are filled with wordly desire when we walk into the store? This may lead us to ask, why did God bring temptation to our lives? The Bible teaches that God doesn’t lead us to temptations but he does allow us to be tested by them. Of course, we’re not alone in it. All Christians struggle with temptation. The enemy often chooses to tempt us when we are vulnerable. When we are under physical or emotional stress he uses that opportunity to convince us that we can get reassurance and comfort from things other than God. When we are lonely, tired or faced with a difficult decision it can be easy to look to food, shopping, the computer or phone for comfort. As we meditate and pray on the role of temptation in our life, I invite you to spend some time writing and reflecting on the three areas in which the enemy tempts us:

Physical Needs and Desires
Possessions and Power
Pride

Take some time to write down the ways in which you are personally tempted in these three areas. Ask God to forgive you for the times you’ve given in to temptation. By making ourselves aware of how subtle temptations start us down the path of sin, we can begin to change.

Make your vows to the Lord your God and perform them;
let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared,who cuts off the spirit of princes, who is to be feared by the kings of the earth. Psalm 76:11-12