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The Righteous Will Live!

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Waiting on God does not mean doing nothing. It means not going outside of his will while you do something! Dr. Tony Evans

Have you ever felt like you had been waiting forever for God to answer a prayer? Have you ever gotten all antsy about it? You know…you’re just ready for it to happen already!

I have been there and actually, still find myself there is much shorter stays. Like before, I used to stay there for days, but now I may stay there for minutes. I am working toward staying there for seconds to none.

As we read Habakkuk chapter 2 today for the Scriptural Bible Study, it has the famous verse in it that so many of us quoted earlier this year when we dubbed this year 20/20 Vision as a theme. Interestingly enough, I believe God has opened our eyes to a lot of things that we had no clue we would be seeing in this year.

Habakkuk 2-2-3 says:

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.
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.

So let’s bring it back to context. The prophet Habakkuk is having a conversation with God (a prayer) about how there is so much strife and injustice going on and why God isn’t saving the righteous. God replies and says he is using the unrighteous to judge the more righteous. Habakkuk didn’t think this was fair and kept talking to God (via prayer) about it because it just didn’t make sense to him how a righteous God would do that. And God, who is the Creator of the entire universe took the time to respond to Habakkuk. History would be a witness to God’s revelation, which is why Habakkuk was to WRITE IT DOWN.

Yes, the Babylonians would invade the Judah at the appointed time, but this is what God said in verse 4 that we as believers can hang our hat of faith on today: the righteous one will live by his faith. God simply told him, “Trust me and follow my instructions.”

In the study notes, Dr. Evans says this and it gives me so much clarity around how all kinds of evil and crazy stuff can be happened AROUND us but not TO us! God has everything under control. God’s agenda may be mysterious, but everything he does will bring him glory and is ultimately for the good of His people. Yes God would use the wicked Babylonians to punish Judah, but it’s not like they weren’t going to be judged themselves. The CEV translation of Habakkuk 2:8 makes it plain: You robbed cities and nations everywhere on earth and murdered their people. Now those who survived will be as cruel to you. So the babylonians weren’t getting off scotch free. And neither will evil people on earth today.

What I learned from reading this chapter and the study notes is that God is consistent. If we choose to be persistent in sin, we will be judged. Even the wicked who seemingly escape it on earth will face it in eternity. That’s why we shouldn’t be caught up in getting revenge. Vengeance is mine says the Lord. Bottom Line: All human sin will either will be judged in hell or at the cross of Christ. But the good new is verse 4: those who are righteous will live because they are faithful to God.

Will you be faithful to God?


SALVATION PRAYER

If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and you’re not a believer, but you have a desire to be, all you have to do is openly confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9). When you pray that prayer, you are saved. Get connected with a good, bible-based church in your community, stay connected to other believers, and start having daily conversations through prayer with God every single day. Welcome to your new life with Jesus Christ!!!


ASSIGNMENTS

  1. What did Holy Spirit say to you in your conversation with Him this morning?

  2. Will you be faithful to God?

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