Thoughts For To-day From The Burden Of Habakkuk

by J.Hadfield | Category: General | Aug 1933

The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. 0 Lord how long shall I cry, and Thou will not hear? I cry out unto Thee of violence, and Thou will not save" (Habakkuk 1. 1, 2).

The cry of Habakkuk has echoed and re-echoed time and time again from the lips of the people of God ; amidst adverse circumstances and perplexing difficulties those in distress have uttered the cry-" How long?"

Good is it for us in such a case when the cry dies away, and when the futility of distressing our souls dawns upon us, and, like Habakkuk, we haste us to the watch-tower (chap. 2. 1) "and look forth to see what He will speak with me."

These are days of stress and perplexity; change follows swiftly upon change ; the affairs of men are caught in a whirlpool of fear and distress. The swirling tide is affecting many of the people of God. Shall we cry unto Him, "0 LORD how long?" or shall we not rather get us to the watch-tower and

see the distant vision of Habakkuk, that glorious sight--" For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Loan as the waters cover the sea" (chap. 2. 14). What a day! It is coming! And it shall not tarry!

What confidence breathes at the end of his watch-tower vigil! "But Jehovah is in His temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him" (chap. 2. 20). Then away with a vision whose range is bounded by this poor world! May we see the heavenly vision, for

God sits as Sovereign on the throne

And ruleth all things well."

High above the affairs of men He sits, working out His own vast purposes; and oh, the wonder of it, working all things together for good to them that love Him (Romans 8. 28). Let us keep silence before Him and meditate on His mighty wonders.

The man who complained, became the man who prayed; and what a prayer, bespeaking faith and confidence in every line ! (chap. 3.). Above the voice of tempest is the voice of Him who of old walked on Gennesaret's wild waves-" It is I; be not afraid " (Mark 6. 50), and the same assuring words are for our comfort. Let our silent contemplation of the Lord who is high and lifted up, exalted on the throne, and is the soon coming One, produce the confidence experienced by Habakkuk-

"For though the fig tree shall not blossom,

Neither shall fruit be in the vines

The labour of the olive shall fail,

And the fields shall yield no meat;

The flock shall be cut off from the fold

And there shall be no herd in the stalls:

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Jehovah, the Lord is my strength,

And He maketh my feet like hinds feet,

And will make me to walk upon mine high places. "

J.Hadfield | Aug 1933
General