Old Testament Scripture Reading: ( Habakkuk 3:17 – 19 KJV)
Hab 3:17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
Hab 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Hab 3:19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
New Testament Scripture Reading: (Ephesians 6:10 – 20 KJV)
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Eph 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Eph 6:20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Transforming Power Statements:
1) In the days of the Prophet Habakkuk some of God’s seemingly uncanny methods of dealing with the sins of the Covenant people Israel, did not set well with his “normal” way of seeing God’s hand the way he “thought it should be” when God used the actions of the Babylonians to apply discipline to the Covenant People.
2) Holding on by faith in God is the wise thing to do when it may seem that you are being personally attacked by any negative force, knowing that you are not alone, nor are you forgotten by God Who is working all things together for your good to His own glory!
3) This is why Paul admonishes the Ephesians to put on the “WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD” knowing that the enemies of God and even our own internal fears and doubts are ever present working mightily against us at all times, even though we know that their efforts are only “temporal” but our promises for salvation are permanent and sealed by God Himself!