This is the last week of This Is the Old Testament! Next week, we’ll continue our thematic overview of the entire Bible with This Is The New Testament. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book or two of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture.
What Is Habakkuk? The book of Habakkuk is a small collection of conversations between the prophet Habakkuk and the Lord. Habakkuk addressed God on behalf of the people of Judah concerning both the Babylonian devastation of Judah and Babylon’s coming day of judgment.
How Habakkuk Fits Into the Story: The book of Habakkuk addresses the common struggle to understand God’s actions in the world, while calling us to faith in God’s good purposes. Habakkuk’s message that the righteous will live by faith prepared the way for the greater understanding of this truth in the New Testament’s emphasis on salvation through faith in Christ.
Reflection Questions:
1. Describe a time when you personally walked in the tension of seeking clarity from God, while trusting Him in faith.
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
Learning to live in the tension is a lifelong process, I am finding. Thankful we have scripture to teach us.
My son was murdered 15 years ago at age 19. I had a huge crisis of faith, gave up on God. But He never gave up on me and today my faith is strong and I’ve been able to help others. TRUST Him even when everything else says you shouldn’t.
Linda that is absolutely devastating. I cannot imagine how you got through that. I also had a crisis of faith after I had a miscarriage a few months ago after a long time of trying for our first. God led me back to Him to depend on Him in ways I never knew possible.
I looked for clarity and clung to God when I found out my newborn was born with a congenital virus that caused her to be deaf and fragile at birth. The months after her birth were so difficult, with so many tests and blood draws and medications, and so much worry. But God showed me during my pregnancy that I cannot make it on my own, I was incredibly sick with Hyperemesis Gravidarum and I now know that God used that in my life to prepare me and show me that I would need to lean on him during the season when my daughter was born. He has been so faithful, and even though there has been lots of difficulty in this season I can see where he has interceded in her life and in mine. She is thriving now at almost 2 years old and is doing amazing with ASL, she is a gift to our family and this season has brought growth in all of us. I am so grateful that our God is faithful; He is El Roi, the God Who Sees and I know he sees me and has walked with me through every trial.
Hannah wonderful testimony thank you for sharing
Oops sent a Bad link look up song Into the Sea (It’s gonna be okay) by Tasha Layton
Maura I love this song! Thanks for sharing
Isaiah 40:31 but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint. I remember back in my 30’s trusting in God when my husband decided he no longer wanted to be married and turned away from God. I was heartbroken. It was the closest I have ever felt to God. I clung to Him. It was a growing time in my faith. Something terrible happened after that. I was physically abused by a boyfriend and I turned away from God. I felt like God failed me. How immature my faith was. I later realized God removed me from a terrible situation. I regret turning away. What a lot of years I wasted trying to get through life on my own. My son’s illness, loneliness, and missing God’s presence in my life brought me back to Him. What a gracious God we have. He never left me as I walked away from Him.
As I read the comments I prayed for all of you. I believe God will bring you, TAYLOR and SARAH, the husbands that will bring you such joy if you wait on Him.
Absolutely Loved “ How Habakkuk Fits Into the Story: The book of Habakkuk addresses the common struggle to understand God’s actions in the world, while calling us to faith in God’s good purposes. Habakkuk’s message that the righteous will live by faith prepared the way for the greater understanding of this truth in the New Testament’s emphasis on salvation through faith in Christ.”
Habakkuk 3:17-19 really stood out to me!! Finding joy and the faithfulness of God IN THE MIDST great and discouraging and hopeless trials and seeing how God gives us the tools and abilities we need to overcome!! SOOO good and so encouraging!!!!
MAURA, I hope you are doing well, and that you got the things organized that you wanted to! I am continuing to pray for you and your family and am hoping that all goes well with your parents this upcoming weekend..
What stood out to me in Isaiah 56 “hold fast to My covenant” I also loved how FAITHFUL God was to those that society (in those days) looked down upon..He recognized their faithfulness to Him and honored them for it!!! SOOOO Good!!!
Be Blessed today ladies!!! May you find God near to you throughout this day and always!!! Xoxo
Tension has existed between man and God since Eve bit into the apple. We have questioned and lamented God’s moves or, in many cases, non-moves. If we are fortunate, in hindsight, we may understand or see God’s strategy and realize each was for our benefit. Like Job, Habakkuk, Paul, and many, many others, I will leave the “Why?” to God and focus on following him in faithfulness.
1. I struggled seeking clarity during quarantine and feeling as if I was losing time in my early 20’s and struggling with my first year teaching. Turns out, God gave me two full months of time with my grandpa (I moved back in with my parents for a few months to help out with him since I was teaching virtually) as he passed away this February. I am blessed to have had this much time spent with him.
2. God is good all of the time. He always has a plan for what is happening and a reason behind it. We are to turn and call out to him for strength and believe in his reasoning and that it will bring us closer to him. God help me to remember this in the hard times. Praying for you all SRT sisters.