Lament - Habakkuk 1 Devo

January 28th, 2018

Devotional

“Lament” -Habakkuk 1

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Monday: “How Long” - Hab. 1: 1-3

“O Lord, how long should I cry for help?” A few weeks ago we talked about the essential prayer of help - when we admit to the Lord that w are over our head and in need.But this cry of the prophet Habakkuk is a special type of prayer - a prayer or cry of lament. 

Lament happens when we are so deeply troubled or grieved by the circumstances in our life or in the world around us that we are at a place where we almost lack words. In the translation of the Bible I am using to prepare this devotional, there is an inaccuracy in summarizing this section of scripture as “The Prophet’s Complaint”. Lament, while it may sound like complaining, is actually a spiritually exercise. We see lament time and time again in the Psalms and in the images of people tearing their clothes in distress. 

There are times in our life when we need the spiritual exercise of lament. When we simply lay ourselves out before the Lord and ask “how long?” Let us reclaim the space in our lives for lament this week, and beyond. 

What brings you to your knees in prayer when all you can ask is “how long, O Lord?”

What does lament look like your life?

Prayer: Jesus, we have bought into the unscriptural lie, that we need to be happy at all times if we know you as Lord and Savior. We confess today that isn’t always authentic to how we feel, and instead of bringing our distress to you in prayer we have tried to sweep it under the rug. Forgive us, O Lord, and help us to reclaim the spiritual necessity of honestly lamenting to you. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Law and Justice” - Hab. 1: 4

In the Old Testament, or Hebrew Scriptures, there was a different understanding of law and justice then what we have today. For the Jewish people, the law was the basis of faith. For them, they can trace the foundation of their faith in God to receiving the Ten Commandments on Mt. Siani after God rescued them from Egyptian oppression. As the cross is central to our faith as Christians, so was the law central to faith in the Old Testament. 

With this understanding, we find the Prophet asking today why the law has become slack and why justice never prevails. He is essentially asking why that which is central to his life of faith seems to be failing. This is equivalent to us asking “why God?” Or “where were you God?” When we experience difficult times. 

To which God did answer and still does answer, that God was with His people the entire time. Even when we cannot perceive it. Even when it seems like the wicked is prospering. We are called to wait upon the Lord and trust that God is right beside us the entire time. 

How do you respond when you are going through a difficult time?

What is foundational to your life? How do you respond when your foundation is shaken?

Prayer: Lord, help us to trust and believe, not just in our head, but in our hearts, that you will never leave us nor forsake us. Even when it seems like everything around us may be crumbling, may we trust and believe that you are walking right beside us. Amen. 

Wednesday: “ Justice and Injustice” - Hab 1: 5-11

While it is difficult to date exactly when Habakkuk received this prophecy from God/ when it was written it is believed that Habakkuk lived during the time of Assyrian oppression of the Hebrew people. A time when justice seemed lacking and injustice reigned.This section of scripture seems to be talking about all of the ways other nations are getting ahead by oppression. Some scripture translations have a section heading that reads “The Lord’s Reply” starting at verse 5. Why would the Lord point out the many ways that the Hebrews are being oppressed? Why would he be telling the prophet that these people are god-less, relying on their own might? Where is the hope in such statement?

God is reminding the prophet that while it looks like those who are oppressing them are getting ahead (winning if you will) by the world’s standards, they will eventually falter because they are relying on the wrong thing. Sometimes in our lives, when it seems like people are prospering by evil, it is hard to remember that the righteous will eventually persevere and it is even harder to be patient in the face of such oppression. 

What is some of the evil you see around you in the world today? How do you remind yourself that God will persevere over injustice? 

Prayer: Lord, we thank you that you are in control. We confess that sometimes it is hard to remember that in the face of oppression abounding. Forgive us, Lord. Help us to trust you more surely and work for your Kingdom more passionately. Amen. 

Thursday: “Holy God” - Hab 1: 12-15

Since sin entered into human history in Genesis 3, there have been people who have strayed from God in this world. Some have repentant hearts, others do not. The Prophet seems to indicate in this section of scripture that those oppressing the Hebrew people are the later - unrepentant before God, so God will surely judge them.

Sometimes it is hard to know the hearts of other people. Hard to know if they are repentant or unrepentant. But we do know our God - our God is a Holy God who cannot look upon evil or wrongdoing without it breaking the very heart of God. 

While the Prophet does not explicitly say this, as Christians we believe that we are to pray for our enemies - pray that they turn away from sin and restore their relationship with God. At times that is the hardest prayer that we will ever have to pray, especially when people are hurting us. Yet, we cannot let others injustice lead us to act in sinful ways that distance us from a Holy God. 

Do you find it easy or difficult to pray for your enemies? Why?

How can the sin of others lead us into sin as well? What spiritual disciplines can we engage in to prevent this? 

Prayer: Lord, we ask for a hedge of protection around us this day. Not just a hedge that protects us from evil, but protection in our own responses to evil as well. Lead us not into temptation. Let us not repay evil with evil. Let us approach each situation and person with the mind and heart of Christ while still seeking transformation of circumstances we pray. Amen. 

Friday: “The Enemy” -  Hab 1: 15-17

The image found in this section of Habakkuk is of the enemy fishing and having a large harvest for injustice. At times in our lives it may feel just like this. It may feel like all we can see around us injustice, of people and nations being destroyed without mercy.

But this is not the end of the story. While this is not a positive note to ended the first chapter of Habakkuk on, it is not the end of what the prophet has to share with the people either. As Christians we believe in a Savior who defeated not only the grave, but death as well. A Savior who did not let evil triumph or have the last word. May we cling to the cross and the hope that it offers, especially during times when it seems like injustice reigns, and it is hard to perceive the light in the midst of the chaos and darkness. 

How does the cross give you hope even in the midst of dark and troubling times? 

Prayer: Lord, we thank you this day for the cross. We thank you that you defeated evil. That you offer us hope, both in this world and in the world to come. Use us to share this message of life and life abundantly with a broken world. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Habakkuk: God Answers” - Habakkuk 2 

Family Activity: Sometimes we have bad days. How can we bring our bad days to God in prayer? How do you think God answers when we tell him about your troubles and hurts?