CERTAINTY IN TIMES...
Certainty in Times of Chaos….
Hello my friends. Happy Spring time to everyone in the North America region. Wow, who could have imagined the first part of our 2020 would bring a virus that has swept through just about every part of the world? It has brought about uncertainty for many and major transitions in practically every business sector. Many people have lost their lives due to complications to the virus and our prayers are certainly with anyone who has lost a family member to the virus and those who are hospitalized. As a family, we are committed to praying for medical practitioners, first responders and those called to serve on the front lines of the current epidemic. With everything currently going on, I want to share another friendly encouragement episode. The subject on my heart today is “God of Certainty when Chaos shows Up.” I recently revisited the book of Habakkuk. While the Lord has chosen Judah as his people, prophet Habakkuk becomes concerned as he sees nothing but tragedy and evil in Judah. He decides to seek answers from God in the form of two complaints/inquiry. He utters unto the Lord “Violence is everywhere! I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.” (Habakkuk 1: 2b -3) Does this sound familiar at all? Considering the current times we live in, we could utter the same. When the coronavirus first broke out, many people rushed to stores hoarding essential household items and many even engaged in physical fights right in front of children. In what appeared to happen overnight, some people had gone from being civil to disruptive behavior in the name of self-preservation. Back to scripture for a moment. The Lord responds to Habakkuk’s first complaint stating he was raising up the Babylonians to punish another nation in this case Judah though their own strength was their god and they were deeply guilty (Colossians 1:5-11).
Prophet Habakkuk presents his second complaint to the Lord as follows “O Lord my God, my Holy One, you who are eternal – surely you do not plan to wipe us out? O Lord, our Rock, you have sent these Babylonians to correct us, to punish us for our many sins. But you are pure and cannot stand the sight of evil. Will you wink at their treachery? Should you be silent while the wicked swallow up people more righteous than they?” (Colossians 1:12:13) The Lord’s reply to prophet Habakkuk is clearly one of assurance and certainty. “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” The Lord further says “Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.” (Habakkuk 2:2-4) We must remember our heavenly Father sees everything before it ever happens! God’s response to prophet Habakkuk should encourage us to know we serve a God of certainty in times of utter chaos and uncertainty. He is neither slow in releasing judgment nor fulfilling his promises in our lives! More than ever before, we should spend time at his feet in prayer, studying his word with a tablet ready to write plainly his instructions for our lives in this season.
In times of uncertainty within our local communities and even amidst significant world events, as believers we can find comfort in Matthew 6:25-27 where Jesus teaches us not to worry about everyday life – whether we will have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” Jesus closes in verse 33 saying “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. My friends the Lord sees everything going on around us and surely this is not the time for us to go into a frantic frenzy hoarding up supplies with worry over the day-to-day events taking place. As believers, we can rest assured God will supply all of our needs above what we could ever ask or imagine. Instead let us all be intentional about sharing kindness, words of encouragement and leading those far from Jesus into a relationship with him. What we do for the Kingdom of God matters in this season! If you are a parent and are suddenly tasked with homeschooling your children during this quarantine season – you have the unique opportunity to impact their lives and minds with spiritual wisdom so they can be equipped as change agents for Jesus. I want you to know with certainty God will cause all things to work for your good and for his glory here in the earth. If you have breath in your lungs, there is a divine purpose attached to your life. As such, God’s promises are Yes & Amen for those who believe, trust and live righteously for him! My friends Stay focused, Stay Positive and Remain Grateful. Remember - you too are fearfully and wonderfully made for such a time as this.