Some Stories Are Timeless

Black lives matter. But to some, it seems they only matter when they can be used to fan a divisive narrative. 

I don’t know about you but I feel numb, watching that narrative rip apart the most generous nation in the world and destroy lives and businesses–especially in black communities.

Racism is a great evil God’s church should stand against. But is the self-destructive viciousness of these “largely peaceful protests”^** (as the media is careful to chorus) a solution?

Yes, there have been heart-stirring moments when some protesters stood up to those who agitated for violence. Still, literally hundreds of police, and others, have been injured in the violence, many critically. U.S. deaths number at least 17 now. (See details below.^**)

Why do “peaceful protests” have a death toll? 

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure….  But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Tim 3:1-13)

“Deceiving and being deceived.” Oh, the spin on everything these days!! 

God Answers the Prophet’s Questions

We may not always get our questions answered. But in this case, Habakkuk did. And God’s answer to him is clearly instructive to us.

God gave His prophet a vivid depiction of the severe judgment that was about to fall on the land. The Chaldeans (Babylonians) were coming, “dreaded and feared.” They would plunge to devour like eagles and gather captives like a desert wind collects sand. (Hab 1:7-9)

This answer raised another round of heart-wrenching questions. Habakkuk wanted to see God judge evil…. BUT! Would He really use a pitiless invasion to judge His own people? Would God, whose “eyes are too pure to approve evil,” remain silent when “the wicked swallow up those more righteous”? (Hab 1:13) (Sadly, that sure sounds like some video footage I’ve watched in the past few days! 🙁 )

The Bigger Picture

When the Lord’s answer came, it was another stunner. God promised Habakkuk there was a bigger picture. The Chaldeans would be judged in turn.

For the vision is yet for the appointed time;… It will certainly come, it will not delay. Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith. (Hab 2:3-4) [One of the most impactful verses in Christian history!]

The vision of a future where things have been set right WILL come. We can bank on it.

God expands on the picture of the “proud one.” Again, the words could have been penned today. They rush after evil gain so they can establish themselves and their dynasties. Think today’s billionaire global elite. They set their nest on high—or perch their mansion on the California hills. Manipulating world events in their favor. “Never letting a crisis go to waste.”

They carry on with outrageous drinking and lewdness. They build cities with bloodshed—the abortion industry comes to mind, or despots who sit in their enclaves, ordering the murders of all who disagree with them. (Hab 2:9-15)

But they have miscalculated!

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Hab 2:14)

This reminds me of Jesus’s parables in Luke 12. Here’s what He says to powerful “proud ones” who live with no regard for Him:

But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect… (Luke 12:45-46)

And needless to say, it doesn’t end well for that abusive slave! But on the other hand:

Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve,… and wait on them. Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. (Luke 12:37-38)

Do I live like I believe this? My Lord is on an extended journey, but He will return soon and very soon. And when He does, and finds me busy about His work, He’ll bless me beyond any fleeting reward this sad world has to offer!

[bctt tweet=”Do I live like I believe Luke 12:37? My Lord is on an extended journey, but when He returns and finds me busy about His work, He’ll bless me beyond any fleeting reward this sad world has to offer! – @lthompsonbooks”]

We know God’s word to Habakkuk was fulfilled. Jerusalem fell to Babylon, which fell in turn to the Persians. (Remember Daniel and that dramatic handwriting on the wall!)

Belshazzar’s Feast as depicted by Rembrandt, National Gallery, London

The Bigger Bigger Picture

And according to Heb 10:37-38, that vision–the one that will not tarry–finds its ultimate fulfillment in the second coming of Christ. So there’s an even bigger bigger picture.

We’ve been put on alert in so many ways. Pestilence. Famine. Locusts. Seismic activity. Nations raging against Israel. Massive unrest. If you aren’t feeling the Matt 24:8 birth pangs, I would suggest you need to pay closer attention.

But none of that had happened when Habakkuk offered his glorious hymn of praise in Chapter 3. “Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines…”, Habakkuk had to anchor his faith in the knowledge that God has a bigger plan, and the ultimate gain will be worth the pain. Our Master invites us to do the same.

[bctt tweet=”Habakkuk anchored his faith in the knowledge that God has a bigger plan, and the ultimate gain will be worth the pain. Our Master invites us to do the same. – @lthompsonbooks”]

** The toll is still being reckoned. U.S. deaths number at least 17 now. In Chicago alone, 85 people were shot during the first weekend of riots, and 132 officers injured. More than 40 police have been injured in NYC, and more than 50 Secret Service agents sustained injuries defending the White House from rioters attempting to breach the barricades. In Georgia, police were tracked and targeted at home. And 27 officers in the U.K. have been injured as protests spread around the globe