Your new nickname

Up until about eight years old, I was known by my family and friends as “Kenny”.  I didn’t choose that name, but that’s what everyone called me.  We moved to a new state near the end of 2nd grade and while signing up at my new school, the secretary asked what name I would go by.  Before my mom could answer, I shot out “Ken”.  I don’t remember why I made the switch, but I was quite certain that’s what I wanted to be called.  So from then on, I was known by everyone as “Ken”.

Names are a bit of a strange phenomenon, aren’t they?  This is the noise I want you to make to get my attention.  However, they are more than just sounds to us.  We also attach specific meaning to those sounds.  Sometimes the meaning is in a given birth name, with the hope that our child will live up to that name’s significance.  Other times, we take on a new form of our name, like I did, to signify a new chapter in life.  Then, there are also nicknames – not normally self-given, but typically given to us by someone else.  Nicknames are often tied to a specific characteristic or a life event.

In the Old Testament, after Gideon tore down a popular alter to the god Baal, the Baal worshippers wanted to kill him.  Instead, they were convinced by Gideon’s father that Baal should get his own revenge if he’s as powerful as they claimed.  Grudgingly, the mob accepted the argument, but from then on, they stopped calling him Gideon.  Instead they called him “Jerubbaal”, which meant “let Baal contend with him”.

We see similar instances of nicknames in the New Testament.  Jesus stopped referring to Simon, instead calling him Peter.  This name means “Rock” and it’s clear that is the attitude/role Peter took on from that moment forward.  You probably don’t recognize the name “Joseph of Cyprus”, but if you’ve read the book of Acts, you’ve met Barnabas.  “Barnabas” means “Son of encouragement” – I’m certain everyone loved talking with him as he lived up to that reputation!

Then, in the last book of the Bible, we find Jesus giving rewards to those who overcome in this life, to those who conquer life’s challenges by living their lives the way God design humanity to live.  To the church in Pergamum, Jesus said this:

Revelation 2:13
I know where you live – where Satan’s throne is.  Yet you are holding on to My name and did not deny your faith in Me.

They lived in a tough town that wanted nothing to do with God.  In fact, many were directly opposed to God and His designs.  But Jesus encouraged them to hold on to My name and not deny your faith in Me.  For those who persevere like this, there is an eternal reward:

Revelation 2:17
To the one who conquers, I will give some of the hidden manna.  I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it.

Tony Evans explained these special rewards like this:

Manna was the supernatural food God sent from heaven to sustain Israel in the wilderness.  This manna is hidden in that it is not available to all.  It represents exclusive sustenance and kingdom fellowship with God for Christians who …[hold on to Jesus and do not deny Him]…In the Roman world, a white stone was used as an admission ticket.  A white stone with someone’s name on it was a personalized, all-access pass.  This image, then reinforces the idea of exclusive, personal fellowship with God as the conquering Christian’s reward. 

If you earn this reward…Your name, written on the white stone, is a nickname that will be given to you by Jesus.  On top of that, you will be the only one who knows what the name is and what it means.  How personal is that?  How incredibly special and intimate to be named by the Creator of everything and the King of Kings!

This name will be an honor, based upon the message of your life.  Each of us has a unique story of struggle, and how God helped us to both overcome and conquer.  Our nicknames will reflect our stories, but thinking about earning this reward leaves us with a couple of questions:

What will my name be? or, perhaps more important, What would I like my name to be?

So live bravely, conquer your selfishness, and overcome sin’s challenges…and look forward to the day Jesus calls us by a special name and into an exclusive fellowship with Him.

Keep Pressing,
Ken

How to keep a divine perspective

When it comes to eternal rewards, Jesus and the New Testament writers used a number of analogies to describe the kinds of rewards which God will bestow on those who faithfully partner with Him.  One particular word picture that shows up several times is receiving a crown.  Sometimes, crown-rewards are specific to particular groups, while earning other crown-rewards are open to all believers. 

Crowns designate both power and authority.  Some commentators have equated God bestowing a crown with our modern-day practice of a soldier earning a medal.  The medal itself does not contain valor, but instead declares the owner to have earned the reward through courage, bravery, or heroism.

Last time we looked at a crown that is available for those who have put in the effort to care for and disciple other believers.  Next is a crown that is available to believers whose lives are driven by a divine perspective.

Since meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus, the Apostle Paul has worked to spread the good news of eternal life through Jesus.  He’s worked in his local church, he’s gone on mission trips, he’s mentored younger believers, and he’s written letters of both encouragement and rebuke to help other believers understand how to live out their new life in Christ.  However, in his last letter – written to his protégé, Timothy – we read that Paul knows his time on earth is almost up.  Soon after writing this letter, he is brought before Emperor Nero and beheaded.

However, he is not afraid of what’s next.  In fact, he’s already looking beyond his meeting with Nero:

2 Timothy 4:6-8
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 

There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.

Joseph Dillow, author of “Final Destiny: The Future Reign of the Servant Kings”, describes the crown of righteousness in these terms:

Righteousness in this passage should be understood as “upright behavior”.  It is a crown of vindication, a crown which says, “Paul, you have lived well.”…As he wrote, Paul stood before an unrighteous judge receiving an unrighteous reward.  But one day, he will stand before the only Judge that matters and that Judge will grant to him a righteous crown, a crown of vindication saying, “Paul, you were right, Rome was wrong!  Thank you for serving Me.”

The crown of righteousness is for all those who have loved His appearing.  Do we look forward to the day when Jesus returns, just like He promised He would?  I’m sure for most of us, the concept of Christ’s return sounds great.  But if He returned right now – how would you feel about the life you’re living?  Would you be happy to give Jesus a tour of your daily life, or does the thought of a heavenly life-audit bring a sense of shame?  If Jesus appeared right now, would you stand up and cheer, or would you be more inclined to shrink back in embarrassment?

Looking back, there are plenty of moments in my life where I’m relieved that Jesus didn’t return at that specific moment.  Not so much as a “gotcha!” but as a “I’m selfishly living the life He’s given me right now”.  Thankfully, there is an antidote, one that will put us back on track to earn the crown of righteousness, and it is found in one of the Apostle John’s letters:

1 John 2:28
So now, little children, remain in Him so that when He appears we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

Getting our life on track doesn’t require an 8-step program or a magical formula.  Our aim is to remain in Him.  Stay connected to Jesus, just like a branch needs to be connected to the vine.  When we do, our confidence and life-decisions will sort themselves out.  The longer we remain in Him, the better we get at it, too.  We’ll learn how to live well, and we’ll truly look forward to His appearing.

How great would it be to hear “Well done!” from Jesus and then to receive the crown of righteousness from Him?

Keep Pressing,
Ken

The crown could be yours

When it comes to eternal rewards, Jesus and the New Testament writers used a number of analogies to describe the kinds of rewards which God will bestow on those who faithfully partner with Him.  One particular word picture that shows up several times is receiving a crown.  Sometimes, crown-rewards are specific to particular groups, while earning other crown-rewards are open to all believers. 

Crowns designate both power and authority.  Some commentators have equated God bestowing a crown with our modern-day practice of a soldier earning a medal.  The medal itself does not contain valor, but instead declares the owner to have earned the reward through courage, bravery, or heroism.

The first crown we’ll look at is available for those who have put in the effort to care for and disciple other believers.  Take a look at what Peter had to say:

1 Peter 5:1-4
I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed.  Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

The first thing I notice is that Peter confidently states there will be glory revealed in the future, and for those who shepherd God’s flock, it is possible to have a share of that glory.

How cool would that be?  When the Chief Shepherd appears, when Christ returns, those who have faithfully led in his stead will receive the unfading crown of glory.  Those who have devoted time and effort to developing others will be publicly recognized by God and clearly identifiable for everyone else!

But this isn’t just “lead a Sundy School class for 6 months and get a crown” type of thing.  This isn’t a participation ribbon everyone can receive…Peter says that our motives are part of the evaluation:

1 Peter 5:2-3
Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

So, God will not only consider where we lead, but also how we lead.  Selfish motives will disqualify us from earning the crown of glory.  This reminds me of a similar warning from James, the brother of Jesus:

James 3:1
Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment.

Stepping into leadership in God’s family is not to be taken lightly.  But the rewards are great – participating in someone’s spiritual growth, helping them think/speak/act like Jesus is absolutely incredible.  Investing in others and seeing them grow is personally satisfying and fulfills Jesus’ Great Commission command.  God thinks this kind of work is incredible, too, and He has a special reward for those who partner with Him to shepherd His flock.

But what if that’s not you?  What if you have other gifts/talents/abilities that do not focus on leadership/discipleship?  First, there are many different rewards (and crowns!) that are still available.  We’ll go over them in the coming weeks. 

And second, what can you do to support those in your church who do the hard work of shepherding?   I’m sure they can use some encouragement, and all of us can be encouragers.  How great would it be to see the pastors and leaders of your church earn this crown?

Keep Pressing,
Ken

Both efforts and results count

Paul had a lot to say to the believers in Corinth about eternal rewards.

He was attempting to end an argument over which Bible teacher they should hold in highest regard.  Some advocated for a man named Apollos, another group for Paul, and some for Peter.  Instead of taking sides, Paul points them to something higher up and more important than the name of their favorite preacher:

1 Corinthians 3:5-7
What then is Apollos?  What is Paul?  They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given.  I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.  So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who give the growth.

Pretty clear analogy here.  Putting a seed in the ground or putting water on the seed is small stuff compared to the actual growth of the seed.  That’s the miracle of life, and eternal life is only given to us by God when we believe in Jesus.

Many Christians stop reading the passage here.  However, Paul continues the analogy and provides us with an incredible insight into eternal rewards:

1 Corinthians 3:8-9
Now he who plants and he who waters are one [i.e. – united in purpose], and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.  For we are God’s coworkers.  You are God’s field, God’s building.

Although all credit goes to the One who gives life and designed it for growth, God will give each coworker his own reward.  Apollos and Paul are servants, but God will reward them according to his own labor – how well they have fulfilled the work God has given them to do.  In this analogy, the Corinthian church is God’s field…and Paul also calls them God’s building.  Switching to the “builder” analogy, Paul shows them that they can be rewarded, too:

1 Corinthians 3:10-11
According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it.  But each one is to be careful how he builds on it.  For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down.  That foundation is Jesus Christ.

Just as Paul “planted” in the farming analogy, he is the master builder laying down the foundation of Jesus Christ for them to build on.  Then Paul warns them – be careful how you build:

1 Corinthians 3:12-15
If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become obvious.  For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work.

If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward.  If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved – but only as through fire.

Most of the New Testament is instruction for how believers can live their lives according to God’s design…how to grow and how to build.  God will look at our life’s work and evaluate what we have done in comparison to the time He has given us. 

For the times we’ve partnered with Him, we’ll find eternal rewards that are valued much like we currently value gold, silver, and costly stones.  For all the work we’ve done selfishly, we’re only storing up wood, hay, and straw.  Both will be evaluated…and the quality of each one’s work will be determined.  And here is the promise: if what we built survives, then we will receive a reward.  And if God called His initial creation “good”, then sign me up for what He considers a reward!

Don’t be confused – this judgment isn’t to determine who goes to heaven and who doesn’t…this evaluation for eternal rewards is only for those who have believed in Jesus for eternal life.  Paul made that clear when he said that those whose work does not survive, while he will experience loss [of receiving a reward], he himself will be saved. 

This isn’t to say there will be “second class citizens” in heaven, either.  However, it is clear that God intends to reward those partner with Him in this life.  So, we gotta ask ourselves…

Am I spending my time and effort on actions with eternal value, or will my activities leave me at a loss?

If you don’t like your answer, then today is a good day to choose differently.

Keep Pressing,
Ken

My unexpected reward

I have been “guest preaching” for my church for a couple of years now.  Usually four or five times a year, just enough to give our pastor an occasional break.  However, this summer I did something new – I wrote and delivered an entire message series.

The three-week series was titled, “Don’t be a Cretan”.  Each week, we walked through Paul’s letter to his protégé, Titus, and the directions he gave for the churches on the island of Crete.  Cretan society was more than a little rough, so Titus had his hands full as he taught these new believers what it means to follow Jesus in a difficult culture.  If you are interested in hearing these messages, you can find them on YouTube: Week 1, Week 2, and Week 3.

Handling an entire series was a new experience for me, and I now have even more empathy for pastors who shepherd a church while also holding down a full-time job to pay the bills.  As I concluded the series, I was very happy to not have to be planning out, writing, and getting ready to deliver the next sermon series.  Preaching is both a blessing and a burden, and I was ready for a break.

I received several heartfelt “thank yous” and had many great conversations based on the messages I delivered.  However, I was not expecting the shout-out our pastor gave me this past week at the beginning of his message.  He publicly said “Thank you” from the stage and led the church in a round of applause.  That in itself was more than I would have expected, but he continued – telling our church how me teaching the series gave him the largest speaking break he’s had in 6 years and how he was freed up to be fully present for some significant moments within both his family and God’s family.

He didn’t have to do that.  He had already expressed his gratitude to me privately several times, so I knew where his heart was.  However, he still wanted to publicly reward my efforts. 

I think a lot of Christians live their lives that way, too.  We know the tasks God has given us to do, and we know His heart towards us when we make the wise choice or do the thing He has asked us to do.  What we don’t expect is that God plans to publicly reward us for our efforts.

Does that sound odd to you?  Then let me remind you of something Jesus said during His Sermon on the Mount:

Matthew 6:19-21
Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

If we are told to store up…treasures in heaven, then that must mean (logically) that there are actual treasures in heaven.  Jesus’ words make it clear that being in heaven isn’t “the treasure” we’re to be aiming for.  Getting into heaven is guaranteed when we believe in Jesus for eternal life.  These treasures in heaven must be something more…and if they can be stored up or not, then we all will have different amounts.

The topic of “Eternal rewards” is not talked about much in our modern-day churches.  But Jesus talked about them quite a bit and so did the other New Testament writers. 

You might have heard someone say, “I don’t need any rewards.  I’ll just be happy to be in heaven”.  While a statement like that sounds quite humble and spiritual…it’s actually pretty arrogant and selfish to think that way.  Jesus wasn’t giving a suggestion or an optional side-quest in His Sermon on the Mount.  He told us to store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.  That’s a pretty clear direction.

Imagine getting to heaven, standing before Jesus, and realizing that all your treasures were stored on earth.  I don’t think the “I’m just happy to be here” defense is going to feel all that comforting.

So what are the treasures in heaven and how do we store them up?  We’ll take a look at those in the coming weeks.  But for now, stop and ask Jesus to reveal where your heart is at, what do you find valuable?  It’s just like He said: for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Is your heart focused on earthly things or heavenly things?  Being honest with that question is the best place to start.

Keep Pressing,
Ken

You can’t get this from AI

Jacob was in trouble, and he knew it.

After decades of being away, God told him to take his family back to his homeland.  The problem with doing so was that he would have to face up to his brother.  When they were younger, Jacob had cheated Esau out of his family’s inheritance and his father’s blessing.  Then Jacob left because he discovered Esau’s plan to kill him as soon as their father died.

Now Jacob and his family are heading home, just like God told him to.  They are one day away from their destination and have gotten word that Esau is headed their way – and he’s bringing 400 men with him.

Jacob is so scared that he split his family into two camps and sent them all ahead, so they could offer gifts and livestock, in an attempt to soften Esau’s disposition.  Completely alone, he stayed back for the night – and ended up in a fight for his life:

Genesis 32:24-28, 31
Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.  When the man saw that he could not defeat him, he struck Jacob’s hip socket as they wrestled and dislocated his hip.  Then he said to Jacob, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”

But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
“What is your name?” the man asked.
“Jacob,” he replied
“Your name will no longer be Jacob,” he said.  “It will be Israel because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.”

…The sun shone on him as he passed by Penuel – limping because of his hip.

Jacob spent the entire night wrestling with God.  Straining, attacking, defending, pouring out all his energy into his struggle…and because of that night, he was forever changed.

It cost him something – Jacob’s hip bothered him the rest of his life.  But he gained something greater – a new identity.  God blessed Jacob with a new name, and this name would be a distinctive identifier for him and all who would follow in his family line. 

It was recently brought to my attention that Jacob could have received this unique blessing only one way – through struggle.  Jacob was no stranger to struggle in his life; some of it was due to his own choices, some of it was brought on by others.  Instead of being consumed by the challenges in his life, Jacob found favor and blessing with God because he chose to struggle through them.

But most of us (myself included) don’t like to struggle.  We like it when victories come easy.  We take shortcuts all the time to avoid struggle.  Don’t feel like making dinner?  Doordash it.  Don’t want to do laundry?  Go to Target and buy a shirt (I did this once).  Have a question about God or the Bible?  Ask AI for the answer.

I have nothing against services, stores, and tools…but if we outsource everything, including our God-sized questions, then our avoidance of struggle keeps us from obtaining the rewards that only come through effort.

Don’t miss this from Jacob’s story – God honored Jacob for struggling with Him.  Maybe we’re afraid of what the struggle might cost us.  But that kind of thinking underestimates the amount of blessing God can give.  Do you believe God is bigger than your struggles?  Do you believe His goodness and blessings are better than what you might give up?

It wasn’t just a name change for Jacob.  He received a new identity – one that impacted him, his family, and all of history. 

Don’t think that is possible for you?  Then struggle with God and find out.

Keep Pressing,
Ken

How to develop a defiant faith

In this series, we’ve walked with a prophet that is little-known to most of us modern-day Christians.  Habakkuk lived in the last days of the southern kingdom of Judah, just before the Babylonians invaded and destroyed Jerusalem.  However, where the writings of most other Old Testament prophets were about God’s message to the people, what is unique about the book of Habakkuk is that the prophet recorded his conversation with God on behalf of the people.

Initially, Habakkuk wanted to know why God was letting the people of Judah get away with ignoring God and mistreating each other.  But after God revealed His plan – to allow the Chaldeans (aka the Babylonians) to punish Judah before God destroys the Chaldeans – we got to struggle with Habakkuk as he tries to wrap his head around God’s Plan for history.  Once he understands how much higher God’s Plans are than ours, Habakkuk takes comfort in who God is, knowing that He is both good and trustworthy.  God would still rescue His people, even if the correction they receive comes at the hands of a people group they view as more wicked than themselves.

However, the prophet’s writings ends with Habakkuk realizing what is about to happen – the Chaldeans will be coming soon:

Habakkuk 3:16
I heard, and I trembled within;
my lips quivered at the sound.
Rottenness entered my bones;
I trembled where I stood.

Now I must quietly wait for the day of distress
to come against the people invading us.

Although Habakkuk knew relief would eventually come for his people, he also knew that relief would come later…in the meantime, his country must endure the punishment of the Chaldeans first.

He knew how ruthless the Chaldeans would be.  Habakkuk had rightfully described them as treacherous, wicked, and without mercy.  He trembled at what he knew they were about to endure.

But Habakkuk also knew he wasn’t entirely helpless.  Despite his world completely falling apart around him, he still could choose his outlook and attitude:

Habakkuk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there is no fruit on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though the flocks disappear from the pen
and there are no herds in the stalls,
yet I will celebrate in the Lord;
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!

The Lord my Lord is my strength;
He makes my feet like those of a deer
and enables me to walk on mountain heights!

Do you hear the defiance in his voice?  His faith in God is defying the brokenness and depressing circumstances that are in front of him.  His hope is set on something bigger than what appears around him.

When absolutely nothing is going right, Habakkuk says yet I will celebrate in the Lord and the Lord is my strength.

To help us understand Habakkuk’s choice of defiant faith, let’s take his farming-gone-wrong examples and put them into our modern context:

·       When I’ve been let go from my job and there are no prospects in my field while my bank account is draining, yet I will celebrate in the Lord.
·       When the doctors say my spouse is out of treatment options, yet the Lord is my strength.
·       When the people I counted on for support have betrayed me, yet I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
·       When my child abandons everything I tried to teach them, and they choose a destructive path, yet the Lord is my strength.

Despite any and all circumstances…yet I will trust in God.

Habakkuk chose to be defiantly faithful in the face of awful circumstances.  When we do the same, we will see God in a new way…while learning to trust Him and His Plan.

Keep Pressing,
Ken

We claim we want to know, but…

In this series, we’re walking with a prophet that is little-known to most of us modern-day Christians.  Habakkuk lived in the last days of the southern kingdom of Judah, just before the Babylonians invaded and destroyed Jerusalem.  However, where the writings of most other Old Testament prophets were about God’s message to the people, what we find unique about the book of Habakkuk is that the prophet records his conversation with God on behalf of the people.

Initially, we heard Habakkuk confront God about the selfish, even down-right evil, actions his fellow countrymen were committing.  He was struggling to understand why God hadn’t stepped in to address the troubles in Judah.  Then, we read God’s response – He is planning on punishing/correcting Judah by allowing the Chaldeans (aka the Babylonians) to invade Judah.  Next, we looked at how Habakkuk dealt with his frustration and shock over God’s plan.  And after that, we learned how those who were living according to God’s design would survive the Chaldean invasion.  Last time, we saw the Woes proclaimed on the Chaldeans because of their evil choices.

By now, Habakkuk is feeling a bit overwhelmed.  He started the conversation with God, asking what he believed to be very legitimate questions.  These were issues that were major troubles of his day.  Everywhere he looked, the Jewish people were committing violence against one another, there was rampant injustice, and wicked people were overrunning his country with no end in sight…but Habakkuk was focused on the moment of life he was living in, he did not consider that God’s perspective and plan was operating on a global-sized, historical scale. 

God’s ways and plans were too great for Habakkuk.  When God clued him into His plan, Habakkuk’s response shows us it was more than he could handle:

Habakkuk 3:2
Lord, I have heard the report about You;
Lord, I stand in awe of Your deeds.
Revive Your work in these years;
make it known in these years.
In Your wrath remember mercy!

As Habakkuk witnessed the future where the Chaldeans would be punished by God’s wrath for the evil they committed, his only response was to ask God to remember His mercy for his people.  Habakkuk then composes a prayer which recounts the way God has moved historically for the nation and also how the earth still trembles at God’s power.  You can read it in its entirety in Habakkuk 3:3-15, but here are some of the highlights:

Habakkuk 3:6, 10-13
He stands and shakes the earth;
He looks and startles the nations.
The age-old mountains break apart;
the ancient hills sink down.
His pathways are ancient.

The mountains see You and shudder;
a downpour of water sweeps by.
The deep roars with its voice
and lifts its waves high.

Sun and moon stand still in their lofty residence,
at the flash of Your flying arrows,
at the brightness of Your shining spear.

You march across the earth with indignation;
You trample down the nations in wrath.
You come out to save Your people,
to save Your anointed.

This recorded back-and-forth conversation with God throughout the book has left Habakkuk worn out.  The only thing he has left in him is to marvel at what God has both allowed and designed in the same historical moments. 

Habakkuk thought he wanted to know what God was up to.  He expected, based on his undesired circumstances, that he had a strong complaint against what God was seemingly not bothered with.  But after seeing only a part of God’s master plan, Habakkuk realized that he was the one who had it all wrong.

We do the same thing, don’t we?  We look at the headlines full of greed, violence, and all sorts of evil – and wonder “Where is God in all this?  Why would He tolerate the oppression, injustice, and wickedness?”

Perhaps our perspective is as skewed as Habakkuk’s was.  God promises to take care of evil in due time (Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19), but He doesn’t promise heavenly-perfect lives right now, either.

I think Monsabre’s perspective on this tension is the best one to take:
“If God would concede me His omnipotence for 24 hours, you would see how many changes I would make in the world. But if He gave me His wisdom too, I would leave things as they are.”

Keep Pressing,
Ken

That's a lot of trouble

In this series, we’re walking with a prophet that is little-known to most of us modern-day Christians.  Habakkuk lived in the last days of the southern kingdom of Judah, just before the Babylonians invaded and destroyed Jerusalem.  However, where the writings of most other Old Testament prophets were about God’s message to the people, what we find unique about the book of Habakkuk is that the prophet records his conversation with God on behalf of the people.

Initially, we heard Habakkuk confront God about the selfish, even down-right evil, actions his fellow countrymen were committing.  He was struggling to understand why God hadn’t stepped in to address the troubles in Judah.  Then, we read God’s response – He is planning on punishing/correcting Judah by allowing the Chaldeans (aka the Babylonians) to invade Judah.  Next, we looked at how Habakkuk dealt with his frustration and shock over God’s plan.  And last time, we learned how those who were living according to God’s design would survive the Chaldean invasion.

But now…God answers Habakkuk’s concerns that a sinful nation will be used to punish God’s derelict people.  Habakkuk was upset that a wicked people would prevail over God’s chosen people.  I mean…they might be misbehaving, but they’re still God’s people…and that has to count for something, right?  Habakkuk was upset that their enemy would profit at Judah’s expense. 

God replies with five “Woe” Oracles against the Chaldeans.  A Woe Oracle is a distinctive type of prophetic speech designed to express deeply held emotions of anger, grief, and fear.  The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Hosea all pronounce “Woes” on various groups for the anti-God choices they make.  Each “Woe” God announces in the book of Habakkuk is an indictment of Chaldean society and includes (often graphically) how their evil choices will come back to destroy them.  Here are the five Woes which God declares.  Notice how each “Woe” is them moving further and further from God’s design for humanity:

Habakkuk 2:6, 9, 12, 15, 18-19
Woe to him who amasses what is not his…and loads himself with goods taken in pledge [i.e. – loans or debt].

Woe to him who dishonestly makes wealth for his house, to place his nest on high

Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and founds a town with injustice!

Woe to him who gives his neighbors drink, pouring out your wrath and even making them drunk, in order to look at their nakedness!

What use is a carved idol after its craftsman carves it? 
It is only a cast image, a teacher of lies.
For the one who crafts its shape trusts in it and makes worthless idols that cannot speak.
Woe to him who says to wood: Wake up! or to stone: Come alive!
Can it teach? 
Look! It may be plated with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.

Read the whole section of Habakkuk 2:6-19 to see how each of these “Woes” will bring punishment back on the Chaldeans.  For us, however, we shouldn’t just gloss over these accusations.  Resist the urge to scoff at the Chaldeans’ reliance on a carved idol which they expected to give them guidance and fulfillment.

Because, honestly…we do the same thing with our smart phones.

Looking at their increasingly self-centered actions, we can see the slippery slope that is open to everyone – both individually and as a society. 

These actions would be the Chaldeans’ undoing.  It’s best we heed their negative example before we experience the same consequences.

Keep Pressing,
Ken

God’s “Pro Tip”

In this series, we’re walking with a prophet that is little-known to most of us modern-day Christians.  Habakkuk lived in the last days of the southern kingdom of Judah, just before the Babylonians invaded and destroyed Jerusalem.  However, where the writings of most other Old Testament prophets were about God’s message to the people, what we find unique about the book of Habakkuk is that the prophet records his conversation with God on behalf of the people.

Initially, we heard Habakkuk confront God about the selfish, even down-right evil, actions his fellow countrymen were committing.  He was struggling to understand why God hadn’t stepped in to address the troubles in Judah.  Then, we read God’s response – He is planning on punishing/correcting Judah by allowing the Chaldeans (aka the Babylonians) to invade Judah.  Last time, we looked at how Habakkuk dealt with his frustration and shock over God’s plan.

This was God’s reply:

Habakkuk 2:2-4
The Lord answered me:

Write down this vision; clearly inscribe it on tablets so one may easily read it.
For the vision is yet for the appointed time;
it testifies about the end and will not lie.
Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late.

Look, his ego is inflated; he is without integrity.
But the righteous one will live by his faith.

While the Babylonian oppressors are advancing to plunder and punish Judah, God is not blind to their inflated ego and lack of integrity.  In the following verses, God lays out five “Woes” to the Babylonians – five ways that their own transgressions will be their undoing.

For now, we need to stop here and recognize a significant truth in God’s reply. A “Pro Tip” is a useful piece of advice offered up by someone in the know. This is the “Pro Tip” God shares with Habakkuk:

But the righteous one will live by his faith.

Although Habakkuk protested at portion of the plan God revealed to him, God has set the course for history to follow.  However, He has not abandoned the Jews.  Their path through these upcoming troubled times will be to live by faith. 

To live by faith isn’t a simple phrase to make us feel warm and fuzzy when things get hard so we can go blindly ahead, telling ourselves everything will be ok.  Instead, living by faith is a confident trust in God to do what He has promised to do, despite the circumstances that come our way.  And if we haven’t seen God fulfill a particular promise yet, then living by faith is trusting His character that He will come through at a future moment in time.

This quote from God to Habakkuk echoes throughout the New Testament, as well.  Three times, it is quoted (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38).  All of the New Testament references are to trusting God to fulfill His promises when we are incapable of rescuing ourselves from our present circumstances.  The author of Hebrews continues in chapter 11, listing out Old Testament heroes who lived in difficult times but overcame by living a by faith lifestyle.  They were not defeated by hardship or difficulty because they trusted God to do what He said He would do.

So, even though Habakkuk and the nation of Judah was staring down the barrel of circumstances they did not want, God still shows them the way to live.  As evidence by the New Testament authors’ use of Habakkuk 2:4, that option is available to us, as well.

Are you, right now, living by faith?

Keep Pressing,
Ken