Old Testament Scripture Reading: Habakkuk 2:1 – 4 (KJV)
Hab 2:1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
Hab 2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
Hab 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Hab 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Romans 1:16 – 17 (KJV)
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
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Transforming Power Statements:
1) One of the most often asked questions about God has always been: “If God is “good” why is there suffering and even evil and persecution taking place even against “good people”? Habakkuk the Prophet was in turmoil because he was wondering the same kind of things as we do today as he witnessed the ever increasing iniquities of the people who were supposed to be the “People of God” i.e. “the covenant people” engaged in serious wickedness themselves, and others being much worse getting along without any judgment nor justice.
2) Habakkuk knew that prayer to God is the best solution in order to maintain peace and attain the endurance to cope with things that press us to the “Outer Limits” of our faith, when things may seem as if they are getting out of hand, so he kept his focus on God knowing that He was available to be petitioned and that waiting on His answer is the best thing to do at such a time as this.
3) In order for us to understand the sincere and vast love that God has for us, all we need to do is to consider the crucifixion of Christ Jesus which is the “MOST SCANDALOUS” event that ever took place in the history of time, because it is here that we can expand our personal faith into the “outer limits” knowing that God loves us this much because He has given His Son, which is the most far-out thing we can ever behold, other than the fact that He also raised Him from the dead!