in wrath remember mercy

I finished reading the book on Humility I mentioned earlier. The last chapter, or at least the last one that truly applied to me, since I don't have children, was about Humility in Suffering. Mahaney focused on the Prophet Habakkuk. Truly eye opening. Especially when I combine that with the sermon from Brook Hills last Sunday about being desperate for the Spirit.

I started really studying Habakkuk to glean as much as I can from these few short chapters. First of all, I was reminded of a verse we use joyfully, when in reality the Lord was foretelling the destruction that would come to Israel by the Chaldeans ( aka Babylonians).
1.5 Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded.
For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.
Granted, the Lord promises deliverance, I just don't think this verse is as cheery as we make it sound.

Second, Habakkuk was really complaining. And sounds quite prideful as he waits for the Lord to respond.
2.1 I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint.
Now, I really don't know what he was thinking, but if I said that, I know it would be a prideful comment.

Third, the Lord continually reminds Him who He is, and that He will be glorified.
2.4 . . . but the righteous shall live by his faith.
2.14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
2.20 But the Lord is in his holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before him.

Fourth, Habakkuk's whole outlook changes in Chapter 3. Several things strike me here.
O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear.
In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known;
in wrath remember mercy.

You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed.

Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble. . .

In wrath remember mercy. This has been on repeat in my head. The implications, really too great for me to grasp right now.

It really goes back to the book, and the sermon. I've realized the last few months that my focus has been so totally wrong. My response to this trial has not been what I hope it will be next time. I've been praying and I've been desperate. But for the wrong things. I've been praying and desperate for His gifts, for Him to act.
When what I really need,
more than the right job,
the right place,
school,
even food
and breath,
is HIM;
and for His glory to be evident through my life.

Today is a new day. Today, I hope to learn what it means to "live by faith." To trust, with no time lines, no agenda, only hope.

How far less the greatest afflictions that we meet with in this world. . . than we have deserved!
Jonathan Edwards

In the darkest night of our soul, we have something to hold on to that Job never knew. We know Christ crucified. Christians have learned that when there seems to be no other evidence of God's love, they cannot escape the cross.
D.A. Carson

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,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the LORD, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer's;
he makes me tread on my high places.
Habakkuk 3.17-19

Because what's perplexing is not that you and I encounter suffering in this life; what's really perplexing is that He suffered in our place.
C.J. Mahaney