Scripture Reading: Habakkuk 3:1-19, Psalm 17:1-15, John 1:14-18, Galatians 3:11
The Broadway show, Mean Girls, is a spectacle. Hot pink and glitter, blonde hair and high-pitched voices—I saw them everywhere under the stage’s bright spotlight. As the play began, my eyes landed on Regina’s mother (played by Amy Poehler in the movie version). When her “Queen Bee” daughter arrives home with friends, the mother says: “There are no rules in this house! I’m not like a regular mom. I’m a cool mom.” Then she winks.
Regina’s mother is a laughing stock. Out all of the kids in the movie, Regina needs a strong parent the most. And in trying to be the “cool” mom, she’s actually no mother at all. Her well-timed wink is proof of her weakness.
I say this because we live in a time that would very much like for God to be a “cool” God. If He is all-forgiving, we suppose He is all-accommodating too. But we don’t have a God who winks at evil. In this passage in Habakkuk, we’re given explosive imagery, like a fresh pair of glasses with which to see God. Take the time to read the passage out loud and really envision the scene.
As I read this chapter, I imagine God standing in the midst of a city, turning His head back and forth, searching for something. He stomps through the earth, on the hunt. His brilliance is like light. Rays are flashing from His hand. Pestilence surrounds His feet. As I read Habakkuk 3 with this image in mind, a picture of God, I wonder, Should I fall in love with Him, or should I be afraid of Him?
I think the author of Habakkuk wants us to feel that tension. Because God is attractive, He draws us to Him. But He is also terrifying. Whether we’re about to be saved or destroyed, the same thing is true: God is worthy of our awe (Habakkuk 3:2). In His presence, our mouths should drop open; He is worthy of our rapt attention.
But what is He doing in this passage? What is He after? Our answer can be found right in the middle of the chapter where the prophet tells us why God is on a rampage: “You come out to save Your people, to save Your anointed” (v.13).
In this book of poetry, I see God as a fierce fighter trampling wickedness, turning His head to the left and right, all in order to find and save me. This is such great news! God is not angry with me; He is angry with evil. God is not on a mission to destroy me; He is on a mission to destroy His enemies. That is why the last few verses of this chapter are so very powerful. Can I write my own version? Can you?
Even if cancer takes the ones I love away
Even if my marriage falters and fails
Even if the house is empty of children forever
Even if my career is cut short
Even if my bank account is nearing zero
Even if all I see is sorrow and pain and destruction—
Even then I will rejoice in the Lord.
I will trust Him.
I will wait quietly for God to do His work, confident in His goodness and His timing.
No, God does not wink at our sin. But He loves His children, and He holds us in His arms, even as His feet stomp out the worst of the evil in this world.
Claire Gibson is a writer whose work has been featured in publications including The Washington Post and Entrepreneur Magazine among many others. An Army kid who grew up at West Point, New York, Claire is currently growing roots in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, Patrick, their son, Sam, and their dog, Winnie. Her debut novel, Beyond the Point, will be published next year.
This reminds me that I should remain drawn to God even in the midst of confusion or even anger at not seeing an answer yet for faithful prayers and in any other season because he faithfully restores US
Habakkuk Rejoices in the Lord
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
fI will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19 God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
And: Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will i trust him.
Funny how the prosperity preachers never use verses like these. We can all fall into the trap though of looking for the blessings more than we look for the giver. We become more focused on what we want out of life rather than Who it’s about and where it’s about. In Hebrews 11 they are all looking ahead* which is why they believe and obey through hard, hard lives. May our focus be eternal, may our hope and strength be in God.
Amen
Love this last paragraph.
And even though I’ve been single parenting for the past year +, I refuse to be the “cool” mom. It has been a challenge! I need to be mom! Do I fall short? Yes! MANY many times.
Amen I too fell short when I was raising my son as a single mom but I had God’s help and my son has turned out great. You can do it Mari I will be praying for you.
This devotional reminds me of a song by Cory Asbury: Reckless Love. I specially like the part where he sings “leaves the 99”.
~B~
Where are you? You’ve been on my heart. <3 Praying for you today. Have a blessed day!
-B-
I’m praying for you! I’ve almost written the same thing CJ did a dozen times, dear sister in Christ. I’ve gone back and looked in past days for you thinking maybe you posted later in the day. We love you and miss you, but mostly we’re praying for you and your family. Hugs to you!!
Love this beautiful devotion! We had a discussion on this topic last night in our small group. What love we we have from our awesome God.
Thank you Claire for sharing this word today! I needed this encouragement! Oh how He loves us so….and oh how He fights for His children! As I read through this I couldn’t help think of the importance of putting in our armor everyday! How can we fall if we are guarded by His righteousness, love, grace, and truth? We simply can’t! That’s the beauty of His all sufficient love and power! Knowing we have confidence in Him that He covers every one of our circumstances- whatever we face- is such an amazing truth! To stand in awe of all of that He does for us – it’s such a precious gift! All we have to simply do is bring all of ourselves to Him…and worship Him through it all – knowing He carries and holds His chosen! Be blessed ladies! ❤️
The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!
Habakkuk 3:19 Amplified
❤️