Habakkuk 2 Devo

February 4th, 2018

“God Responds” - Habakkuk 2 

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Monday: “Wait for It” - Hab. 2: 1-5

American hit musical has a song in its repertoire entitled “Wait for It”. Some of the lyrics include statements about how difficult life may be, but ends with the refrain “Then I’m willing to wait for it. I’m willing to wait for it.”

Habakkuk had a very similar world view in today’s scripture. After lamenting to God in chapter 1, here he situates himself in a position to watch and wait for God to respond. He is going to wait for God, however long it may take, because he deeply believes that God is going to respond, which God does.

Waiting is not something that is always easy in today’s culture. We often mis-interpret waiting to be a time when we do not do anything. When we just sit by. But the image of standing at the watch post invites us to think about waiting differently, for the person assigned to the position of watch post must be constantly scanning the horizon looking for what is to come. 

This week, let us wait differently for God. Let us wait, not by the wayside, but with expectation, scanning the horizon prayerfully to see how God is on the move. 

What does waiting look like in your life?

What is the difference between waiting and waiting with anticipation? 

Prayer: Gracious God, we come together today in heart and mind and proclaim that we believe that you are on the move. We admit that we cannot always sense that movement, so Lord, we wait for it to be revealed so we can join you in your mission for the Kingdom of God. Amen. 

Tuesday: “How Long” - Hab. 2: 6-8

When God answers the prophet he has a message for the people of Israel, but he also has a message for those who are oppressing the Israelites that echoes what Habakkuk asked God in chapter one, “how long?” However, while Habakkuk asked God how long the oppressors were going to be allowed to get away with what they were doing, God asked the wicked how long they are going to continue in their behavior.

Specifically, God asks them how long they are going to load themselves up with goods taken in pledge. A pledge was personal property given against a loan. God warns them, that if they keep this behavior up, some day those who they have taken pledges from are going to come back against them. 

While this may not be the exact behavior being used to oppress people today, the message is similar - how long will oppressors be able to hurt other people? And do they truly believe that their behavior has no consequences? In the Gospels, Jesus repeats a principle found in the Hebrew Scriptures which we have deemed the Golden Rule - treat others as you would like to be treated. God is essentially saying that those who oppress others will have that behavior come back on them. How do we want to treat others today?

Do you find it easy or hard to treat others as you would like to be treated? Why? 

Prayer:  Precious Lord, sometimes we do not act as you would like us to. We hurt others. We act in ways that belittle them and deny their humanity. We say unkind things and act in ways that do not reflect your Gospel Truth. Help us, we pray. Amen. 

Wednesday: “Shame” - Hab 2: 9-11

We have a culture that has warped it since of shame. In ancient societies, shame and honor were building blocks of how they made decisions. If it brought shame upon the family, it was not to be done. If it brought honor, it was deemed to be good. In this particular scripture passage, God is telling the oppressors that their actions would bring shame upon their houses, because of their dishonest behavior.

Today, however, it seems as if some people have no shame - judging their actions against whether it will profit them the most. Others seem to have a deep since of shame for things that are not their fault and they have no control over. We have twisted guilt and shame to make it almost unrecognizable. 

I would propose, that we should start to judge our actions on a different basis: does what I say and do bring honor and glory to God? Does the way that I live my everyday life treat people in a way that reflects God’s glory and love? May we be people who honor God everyday in the world. 

How can you honor God every day?

Prayer: Lord, we are your people, your disciples, the ones you have sent out to make your name known. May we reflect your glory and honor in the world around us. May we lift you up, not just with our words, but our actions as well. May we glorify you. Amen. 

Thursday: “The Cup of the Lord” - Hab. 2: 12-17

God continues with the lists of woe and wrath that will come upon those who are acting as oppressors if they do not change their ways. The Lord is essentially saying that things cannot continue this way, and the the knowledge of the Lord will settle over the whole earth and God’s glory will shine. 

Then there is an interesting comment made about the cup of the Lord’s right hand. In ancient societies, there was a cup of blessing that was poured out at dinner parties, as a gift of sorts. Here, God is saying instead of a cup of blessing, what will be poured out is a cup of wrath, filled with shame for those who have harmed others. 

But like Jonah’s message to the Ninavites, this is not the last word from the Lord to the Assyrians. It is not the be all end all. Instead, God is telling the people this so that they can repent and come to know the Lord. Sometimes I fear that with all of the talk in our culture of good people and bad people and wanting people to get what is coming to them, we forget that as Christians we firmly believe that no one is beyond having a change of heart. So today, let us pray for those who are in need of a change of heart that only God can bring. 

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

Prayer: Lord, we confess that we like the idea of good people being blessed and bad people being brought to shame. We like the idea of people getting what is coming to them. Break our hard hearts this day, O Lord, so we can pray that all may come to you and find forgiveness and change of heart. Amen. 

Friday: “What Use Is An Idol?” - Hab 2: 18-20

Why do people bring harm to one another? For power and glory. Why do people plunder one another? To have more money for themselves. When we make power and money the most important things in our life, or anything else for that matter, it becomes an idol. God is pointing out all of the things that have been made idols in the lives of those who are oppressing the Israelites. And God is essentially saying, these things have taken the place and priority in your life that I am supposed to hold. 

It is alarming how quickly things can become idols in our lives. How little by little we let those things that are not God take over God’s place in our lives. Often we want to look at people who hurt others and say “shame on them”, but really we could easily act the same way if we do not keep our focus on God. Let us pray to God to help us renounce any idols we may be clinging to and focus on our Savior. 

What in your life could easily become an idol? 

How do you keep your focus on God?

Prayer: God, we come before you today and pray for protection for our souls. We pray, O Lord, that you do not let idols take the place of our love for you. And we pray O God, that we not let our guard down. Help us focus on you and you alone. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Responding in Prayer” -  Habakkuk 3

Family Activity: Talk about how we can pray for people who are mean to us. Is there a school bully or someone who says unkind things about other people? How can we pray for them?