by Debby Baril
I stood under the shower for a long time. Streams of water flowing like the tears of people enduring violence and destruction. Words spoken long ago echo through the corridors of time and spill into my heart.
How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! ‘Violence is everywhere!’ I cry, but you do not come to save. 3 Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence.”
(Habakkuk 1:2-3a).
Shock, anger, anguish, spinning minds, heavy hearts. Questions that refuse to be silenced. Habakkuk doesn’t mince words; he pours out his raw complaint before the Lord and then declared he would wait for God’s answer.
(Habakkuk 2:1).
God reminds the prophet that: the just will live by faith (2:4); the glory of the Lord will fill the earth (2:14); and the Lord is in the Temple (2:20). He promised him one day the tables would turn in a way no one could imagine. God’s word moves Habakkuk from wondering and waiting into worship. He remembers the Lord’s fame and past deeds (3:2) and he rejoices (3:17-19) knowing he can trust God for the present and the future.
Often, I shake my head and whisper, “God, I just don’t get it?” God whispers back, “You’ll just have to trust Me on this one.”
A picture of faith is seen in a First Nation’s woman carrying her child on her back held in place by a traditional shawl. Trusting God is resting our heart upon the strong and sturdy back of our Heavenly Father.
Our faith is not in circumstances or people, but in the One who sits on the throne. Jesus, by his life, death, and resurrection destroyed the works of the evil one, demonstrated how an authentic human should live, inaugurated His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, and is now in charge, even though it may not look like it.
With each new believer, the Kingdom of God expands.
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13).
Through us the glory of God spreads on earth as the Holy Spirit works in us transforming us from glory to glory into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18).
We, His Church, are the Temple of God where the realms of heaven and earth meet, and through which His Kingdom rule is to be manifested. In the face of crisis, evil, and destruction the Church is to rise and shine and be the hands of healing and the voice of hope.
Let your heart rest in His strength, your mind remember His deeds, and your spirit rejoice in the knowledge that He is in charge, and His Kingdom is moving forward through you.
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