Wednesday 11th February

Quiet your heart and mind. Consider placing your hands, palms up, in front of you. Release what is distracting and receive God’s gift. What does He have for you today?

“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;"

Psalm 95:6

Ponder: Jesus lovingly touched many and brought healing. Think of some Bible people Jesus healed.

Scripture

How long, Lord, must I call for help,
    but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!"
    but you do not save?
 Why do you make me look at injustice?
    Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?
Destruction and violence are before me;
    there is strife, and conflict abounds.
Therefore the law is paralyzed,
    and justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous,
    so that justice is perverted.

Habakkuk 1:2-4

First, think about your own life and relationship to God. Read the lament again and pay attention to what stands out for you. Read it again and open your heart for Jesus’ touch. Palms open to receive.

How long?

“How long?" - The phrase “how long" indicated that a situation had been occurring for some time. The people of Judah continually ignored God’s laws, and the prophet saw no end in sight.

Although the prophet was concerned about the future of Judah, he had a correct view of God. He was not complaining against God or criticizing God. Instead, he was asking God to act in the way He had promised to act. He brings his burdens to God in prayer, knowing that he could request God’s help for relief. Habakkuk addresses God directly, wishing for Judah to become holy again and to fulfill its priestly function; he was saddened to see the exploitation of others in place of love.

As a committed servant, Habakkuk believed that God would not allow wicked people to dominate Judah. As he continued to observe the iniquity and injustice in the land, he asks God: “Why do you make me see iniquity and look at wrongdoing?".

It is very difficult to deal with the time and the silence of God. On most occasions, we are neither prepared nor mentally ready to wait indefinitely. Our lament wants to be relieved immediately. We question, as the prophet did, without understanding that our time is not God’s time and what we want to hear is not always what God has to tell us. Our dissatisfaction and discontent may even be justifiable, and our lament certainly will be heard and understood by the Lord. However, we need to add to all this a generous dose of faith, hope, and rest in God’s timing, will, and sovereignty. In His time and in His gentle and wise way, God reveals everything, teaches everything, and consoles everyone.

Duarte Casmarrinha, National Director, Portugal

Now ask God who you can pray this prayer for. What part of their suffering could you pray for? What truth could you pray into their life?

Kids’ Question: What is something you are waiting for? What would you like to ask God to change in yourself and in the world?