Author: drthomasclothier

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The Mortification of Sin: A Definition.

“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:11-13)

 Our next study is on the subject entitled The Mortification of Sin. This may seem to be a strange title for a series and it may even appear to be archaic, old-fashioned and outdated. I mean, who talks about sin anymore? Isn’t the Christian life about being relevant to the world, tolerant of other people’s lifestyles and pursuing your best life now of personal peace and affluence? This is certainly the message we hear from many popular so-called Christian authors.

However, the Scriptures not only address God delivering the sinner from the penalty of sin, which is hell, along with the presence of sin, which is heaven, but also the power of sin, which involves our day to day living. The deliverance from the power of sin involves the mortification of sin.

What exactly do we mean by the phrase the mortification of sin? Mortification, or to mortify, means to degrade, humiliate, crush and confound. Within the context of our subject, what the believer in Christ is called by God to degrade, humiliate, crush and confound is sin. This sin in question is not anybody else’s sin but rather the believer’s own sin.

The Apostle Paul refers to this action of mortification in Romans 8:11-13. In a cause and effect statement, Paul says that since the Holy Spirit indwells the believer in Christ, and since this the same Holy Spirit who raised Jesus Christ from the dead, and since the same Holy Spirit will resurrect our dead bodies, we are then no longer debtors to live according to the flesh, or sinful desires, but rather to live according to, and by, the Holy Spirit. The way to do this is by putting to death the sinful deeds of the body.

The Authorized Version Translation (KJV) translates Romans 8:13 as follows: “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

The phrase, put to death, is from the Greek word θανατοῦτε (thanatoute) which means to completely stop or cease. In other words, to execute. This is an action the believer in Christ is called upon to actively, presently and personally pursue daily. In other words, God calls the believer in Christ, because of their positon in Christ, to commit pre-meditated murder against their personal sin. This does not mean the believer is to commit murder against their body, or anyone else’s physical life, but rather against their own sin thoughts, behavior and desires.

The believer in Christ should not misunderstand what Paul is saying. He is not saying that by the behavior and discipline of putting their sin to death that this assures the believer, on the basis of their efforts, that they will inherit eternal. That would result in the sinner pursuing a works based salvation other than trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ and person and atoning work alone.

What Paul means is that by putting sin to death, the believer in Christ truly demonstrates that they are truly a child of God. In other words, they evidence their true conversion of not only possessing eternal life in Christ currently on earth, but also the confident expectation (hope) of eternal life in the future with Christ in heaven.

Dr. R .C. Sproul explains that, “The body is not evil of itself. Sin originates in the heart, the spiritual center of our being including the will (Mark 7:18-23). But since we live in physical bodies, sin finds expression through the body. Therefore, not only at the inner points of origin, but also in its bodily expressions, sin must be put to death, that is, terminated.”

Parallel passages in Paul’s Letter to the Romans includes Romans 6:12-13 which says, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.”

Another familiar passage regarding this subject is found in Romans 12:1-2 which says, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

What are some particular sins we can personally identify as ones we have committed and perhaps continually commit? Also, how do we go about putting these particular sins to death? These are but a couple of questions we will begin to address as we continue to explore the subject of the Mortification of Sin.

Finally, Dr. John MacArthur says, “The world doesn’t judge us (Believer’s in Christ) by our theology; it judges us by our behavior. The vitality of Scripture in the word’s view is determined by how it affects us.”

May the LORD’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!   

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Habakkuk: Conclusion!

“You are my refuge in the day of disaster” (Jeremiah 17:17).

In concluding our study in the Book of Habakkuk, I reproduce for you a devotional taken from Pastor Charles H. Spurgeon’s book Morning and Evening. Spurgeon’s thoughts provide a fitting conclusion to the theme of the righteous living by their faith (Habakkuk 2:4) even in the midst of trials.  

“The path of the Christian is not always bright with sunshine; he has his seasons of darkness and of storm. It is true that God’s Word says, “Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace” (Proverbs 3:17) and it is a great truth that faith is calculated to give a man happiness below as well as bliss above. But life confirms that if the experience of the righteous is “like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day,” (Proverbs 4:18) sometimes that light is eclipsed. At certain period’s clouds cover the believer’s sun, and he walks in darkness and sees no light.”

“There are many who have rejoiced in the presence of God for a season; they have basked in the sunshine in the early stages of their Christian life; they have walked along the “green pastures” by the side of the “still waters.” But suddenly they find that the glorious sky is clouded; instead of the promised land they have to endure the wilderness; in place of sweet waters, they find troubled streams, bitter to their taste, and they say, “Surely, if I were a child of God, this would not happen.” Do not say that if you are walking in darkness. The best of God’s saints must drink the bitter potion; the dearest of His children must bear the cross. No Christian has enjoyed perpetual prosperity; no believer can always keep his heart in constant tune.”

“Perhaps the Lord gave you in the beginning a smooth and unclouded path because you were weak and timid. He moderated the wind on account of your weakness, but now that you are stronger in the spiritual life, you must enter upon the riper and rougher experience of God’s full-grown children. We need winds and tempests to exercise our faith, to tear off the rotten branches of self-reliance, and to root us more firmly in Christ. The day of evil reveals to us the value of our glorious hope.”

 Have a blessed day in the LORD and may the LORD’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

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Habakkuk: God, the Lord is my Strength.

“GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.” (Habakkuk 3:19)

In the struggle to understand the issues of life, especially the reality of evil and its consequences, the believer in Christ has only one resolve and resource: to trust in the LORD and to daily flee to Him. All other resources may fail, even our closest friends and family, but the LORD is faithful.

Habakkuk comes to this fitting conclusion when he writes, ““GOD, the Lord, is my strength.” It is interesting to note that the noun GOD is the English word for Yahweh. It is normally translated by the noun LORD (6,399 times), but in this instance we find the word GOD (314 times). It still means self-existent One and it remains the most personal name for God.

GOD, the Lord. Here we have the Hebrew word Adonai. Adonai refers to the Lord our master, ruler and sovereign. The name also implies a relationship based upon promise and covenant. I was asked one time where the word “sovereign” or “sovereignty” occurs in the Bible. I would say every time the word Lord appears.

Yahweh, the Adonai is Habakkuk’s strength. The self-sufficient and sovereign God of the universe is the prophet’s power, ability, and even physical strength. It is this sovereign God who gives Habakkuk, and each believer, sure footedness during the most troubling times. Habakkuk refers to the surefootedness of the deer who has no qualms treading on the high places and rocky cliffs.

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “The unfailing source of strength and confidence necessary to satisfaction and contentment is the Sovereign (’ădōnāy) Lord (Yahweh) Himself. The strength He gives is like the power found in the feet of a deer, a gazelle, or any active, swift-footed animal. Much as a deer can quickly bound through a dark forest, so the prophet said he could move joyfully through difficult circumstances. Though his legs trembled (v. 16) at the awesome theophany of God, that same Lord was His joy (v. 18), strength (v. 19), and assurance.”

Dr. Walvoord concludes by saying, “God enabled the prophet to walk on the heights. Not only would he bound through trials; he would also climb to the mountaintops of victory and triumph. The poetic language of this verse is common in other passages (e.g., Deut. 32:13; 2 Sam. 22:34; Ps. 18:33). A deer or gazelle pictures strength, surefootedness, beauty, and speed.”

The prophetical book concludes with the statement “To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.” This points the reader back to 3:1 and the use of this prophecy as a song of worship. The dirge of the prophet’s complaint (1:2-2:1) has given way to the joy of praise and thanksgiving.

How often is that the tendency with believers today? The stress and complaint of problems ultimately gives way to the praise and thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness. Our living by sight gives way to living by faith (Habakkuk 2:4).

May the LORD’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

  

 

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LORD’S DAY 22, 2019.

On each Lord’s Day this year, we will display the 52 devotionals taken from the Heidelberg Catechism which are structured in the form of questions posed and answers given.

The Heidelberg Catechism was originally written in 1563. It originated in one of the few pockets of Calvinistic faith in the Lutheran and Catholic territories of Germany. Conceived originally as a teaching instrument to promote religious unity, the catechism soon became a guide for preaching as well.

Along with the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dordt, it forms what is collectively referred to as the Three Forms of Unity.

The devotional for LORD’S DAY 22 is as follows. Please take note of the biblical references given in each answer. This morning’s devotional addresses the subject of God the Holy Spirit.

Q. How does “the resurrection of the body”
comfort you?

A. Not only will my soul be taken immediately after this life to Christ its head,1 but also my very flesh will be raised by the power of Christ, reunited with my soul,
and made like Christ’s glorious body.2

1 Luke 23:43; Phil. 1:21-23.
2 1 Cor. 15:20, 42-46, 54; Phil. 3:21; 1 John 3:2.

 

Q. How does the article concerning “life everlasting” comfort you?

A. Even as I already now experience in my heart the beginning of eternal joy,1 so after this life I will have perfect blessedness such as no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no human heart has ever imagined: a blessedness in which to praise God forever.2

1 Rom. 14:17.
2 John 17:3; 1 Cor. 2:9.

My truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo Gloria!

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Habakkuk: The Source of the Believer’s Joy!

“I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me. Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us. Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:16-18)

In Habakkuk 3:2 the prophet said, “O LORD, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O LORD, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.”  In Habakkuk 3; 16 the prophet provides a bookend which compliments 3:2. ““I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me. Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us.”

God’s revelation to the prophet has resulted in Habakkuk experiencing extreme physical exhaustion. He understands what God is going to do in bringing judgment upon Judah through an invasion by the Babylonians. In response, his body trembles with fear, his lips quiver in stunned astonishment and confusion, and his bones feel as if they are going to break into pieces and his legs tremble in anguish. The prophet is overcome by his circumstances. Yet, he resolves to quietly wait for the trouble he knows will come.

Have you ever felt this way a time or two about your circumstances? You are completely and utterly exhausted by what has happened, is happening and what you fear will happen. You are exhausted not only physically, but also mentally, emotionally and spiritually. In short, you are overwhelmed.

The question now is what do you do? Where do you turn? Where do you go for help? The obvious answer, and the biblical one, is to the LORD. This involves saturating your mind by reading His Word. The Psalms are a good place to begin because they so often communicate the raw emotions of the psalmists. Psalm 27 comes immediately to mind.

Following the reading and meditation of Scripture, take time for prayer. If necessary, a considerable amount of time. This involves not only your petitions or requests, but also adoration of God, thanksgiving to God and confession of sin before God.

Following this, reaffirm your love trust in the LORD. This is what Habakkuk does. He does not ignore his situation or the problems that will occur as a direct result of the impending invasion by Babylon. Rather, he remains focused on the faithfulness of God and affirms his trust in God who is faithful. Meditate upon Habakkuk’s words.

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”

Upon closer examination, we see that Habakkuk explores the essence of life and living in Israel. It is a land of fig trees and fig tree farmers. It is a land of grapes and olives. It is a country filled with fertile land and crops. It is also a land dominated by grazing sheep.

Yet what will happen if and when all these natural resources are destroyed or stolen. What will the prophet do? What will we do when all we have known and depended upon is taken away from us? The prophet provides the answer: “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”

My joy and security is not to be found in the things or circumstances of life but rather in LORD, my God. The God of my salvation. In Him I will trust.

It is not easy sometimes to focus upon the Lord rather than our situations. Sometimes, it may even be a battle but it is a battle worth waging.

May the LORD’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

 

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Habakkuk: The Divine Savior!

“You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked, laying him bare from thigh to neck. Selah! You pierced with his own arrows the heads of his warriors, who came like a whirlwind to scatter me, rejoicing as if to devour the poor in secret. You trampled the sea with your horses, the surging of mighty waters.” (Habakkuk 3:13-15)

In acknowledging the wrath of God, the Scriptures balance this attribute and action of God with His divine and gracious prerogative to save sinners. God is under no obligation to save any soul, but does so on the basis of the good pleasure of His will.

Throughout Israel’s history, God had proven to be a faithful deliverer. Habakkuk remembered the faithfulness of God in going before His people as a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day (Exodus 13:21-22) as He delivered His people from their bondage in Egypt. The reference to “crushing the house of the wicked” harkens back to either the pharaoh of the exodus, whose firstborn was slain, or to Nebuchadnezzar the king of the Chaldeans, whose house was built by unjust gain (Hab. 2:9–11).

Dr. R. C. Sproul explains, “In the past, the LORD came out of His sanctuary for the salvation of His people in distress. This is what Habakkuk is expecting Him to do again.” The LORD not only did this in Israel’s history in saving His people from physical bondage in Egypt, but also in saving His people from their spiritual bondage to sin.

Habakkuk used the word “anointed” to perhaps not only refer to the people of Israel (Psalm 105:15) but most likely to refer to the Divine Savior and King,  the Messiah (Psalm 132:10).

“You trampled the sea with your horses, the surging of mighty waters” is a reference to the LORD’s providential work in parting the Red Sea (Exodus 14:1-9). Dr. John MacArthur writes that “You trampled the sea, is another reference to God’s miraculous, protective intervention on behalf of Israel at the Red Sea. The historical event demonstrates his sovereign rulership of the universe and provides assurance to the troubled prophet that the Lord could be counted on to save his people once more.”

In his lecture on Habakkuk 3:13-15, John Calvin prayed this concluding and recorded prayer. “Grant, Almighty God, that as You have so often and in such various ways testified formerly how much care and solicitude You have for the salvation of those who rely and call on You,–O grant, that we this day may experience the same: and though Your face is justly hid from us, may we yet never hesitate to flee to You, since You have made a covenant through Your Son, which is founded in Your infinite mercy. Grant then, that we, being humbled in true penitence, may so surrender ourselves to Your Son, that we may be led to You and find You to be no less a Father to us than to the faithful of old, as You everywhere testifies to us in Your Word, until at length being freed from all troubles and dangers, we come to that blessed rest which Your Son has purchased for us by His own blood. Amen.”

May the LORD’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

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Habakkuk: The Divine Warrior.

“You stripped the sheath from your bow, calling for many arrows. Selah! You split the earth with rivers. The mountains saw you and writhed; the raging waters swept on; the deep gave forth its voice; it lifted its hands on high. The sun and moon stood still in their place at the light of your arrows as they sped, at the flash of your glittering spear. You marched through the earth in fury; you threshed the nations in anger.” (Habakkuk 3:9-12).

One of the familiar hymns of the church is entitled O Worship the King by Robert Grant. It begins,

O worship the King, all-glorious above,                                                                                            O gratefully sing his power and his love:                                                                                      Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,                                                                   Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

From a general anthem of praise and worship, the hymn writer then explores in the second stanza an often forgotten and frequently overlooked attribute of God and His attitude towards sin.

O tell of his might and sing of his grace,                                                                                 Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.                                                                             His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,                                                                 and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

People are often uncomfortable with the notion that God is a God of wrath. They tend to focus more on His attribute of love, even more so than His holiness. However, the Scriptures do speak, and often, about God’s wrath and is filled with imagery of the same. Case in point is Habakkuk 3:9-12.

Habakkuk acknowledged God as possessing a bow and arrows and a glittering spear. Mountains thrashed at the sight of God. The water raged. The sun and the moon stood still. The prophet says that God is furious and angry. Hardly the idea of God that is communicated by parents when they are getting their children ready for bed. The idea set forth by parents to their children would be, “You better go to sleep or God is going to come with bow and arrows and a glittering spear and you’ll be sorry.”

Habakkuk speaks of God as being the invincible and divine warrior who is the sovereign Lord of the universe. Several texts of Scripture address His authority and power over rivers (Exodus 7:14-24; Joshua 3:14-17; Exodus 14:27-30) along with the sun and the moon (Joshua 10-1-13). These prominent symbols of God’s creation bow in submission to His command.

The concept of threshing the nations in anger is a common theme about God in the Old Testament narratives depicting military invasions and divine judgment (cf. Judg. 8:7; 2 Kings 13:7; Isa. 21:10; 25:10; Dan. 7:23; Amos 1:3).

Another striking image is “the raging waters swept on; the deep gave forth its voice; it lifted its hands on high.” In this personification, Habakkuk explains that as men indicate by their voice or a gesture of their hand that they will do what they are commanded, so these various examples from nature testify of their obedience to God’s will (Ex 14:22; Jos 3:16; Ps 77:17, 18; 114:4).

God will not allow Himself to be trivialized and sentimentalized. He hates sin and is angry with those who pursue it. Therefore, the sinner is covered only by the righteousness of Christ. Repent of your sins today and flee to the reconciliation with God that is only found in Jesus (Romans 5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

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Habakkuk: O Worship the Lord of Creation.

“He stood and measured the earth; he looked and shook the nations; then the eternal mountains were scattered; the everlasting hills sank low. His were the everlasting ways. I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction; the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble. Was your wrath against the rivers, O LORD? Was your anger against the rivers, or your indignation against the sea, when you rode on your horses, on your chariot of salvation?” (Habakkuk 3:6-8)

As I sit at my computer this morning, I am reveling in the advent of the Spring season. Spring is my wife’s favorite season. Autumn has always been mine. However, I have to admit that Spring is growing on me: no pun intended.

I marvel and am in awe as I witness the budding of the trees, the bright yellow of daffodils, and the whiteness of the magnolia flower. It is amazing that one day the trees are barren and the next they filled with new buds ready to explode in new life. I even enjoy the first mowing of my lawn and the scent of freshly cut grass. 70 degree temperatures

However, it is possible that basking in the wonder of this season of new birth may lead to an honoring and worshiping of creation rather than the creator. The Apostle Paul warned of such behavior when he wrote, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.” (Romans 1:18-25)

Israel was guilty of this creation worship. Often they exchanged the truth of God for a lie (Exodus 32). 

Dr. John Walvoord explains that, “Habakkuk’s vision of God coming from the distance and marching across the land rose to a climax. Having reached the place from which He would execute judgment, God stopped, stood, and shook the earth. His very presence caused the earth to shake. Furthermore, by a mere glance at the nations He caused them to tremble (lit., “leap in terror”) and even the framework of nature was shattered. The primeval mountains and age-old hills, the firmest constituents of the globe, crumbled into dust. He came down on Mount Sinai with thunder, lightning, and fire amidst shaking mountains (Ex. 19:16–19). Though the age-old (lit., “eternal”) hills collapsed, God’s everlasting ways go on. Here is a stark warning to those who honor the creation over the Creator! (Cf. Hab. 2:19–20).

Are you often tempted to worship the Lord’s creation rather than worship the Lord of creation? It is very easy to attempt to create your own reality instead of recognizing how the Lord reveals Himself in the reality which He has created. The latter practice is truth while the former is living a lie.

Bask in the truth of God and His creation which declares His glory (Psalm 19). Do not exchange the truth of God for any kind of lie.

May the LORD’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!    

         

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Habakkuk: The Sense of God’s Presence.

“God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah! His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power. Before him went pestilence, and plague followed at his heels.” (Habakkuk 3:3-5)

Throughout the Old and New Testament, there are times when God’s spokespersons review the history of God’s work among His people. These occasions offer a panorama of biblical history, particularly regarding God’s work in the Old Testament. Specific examples of these songs and messages of remembrance include The Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32), The Covenant Renewal at Shechem (Joshua 24), and Stephen’s Sermon (Acts 7).

Another fitting example is found in Habakkuk 3:3-16. In this next to final section of this prophetical book, the prophet outlines the faithfulness of God through the centuries of Israel’s history since their Exodus from Egypt. Though Israel became faithless on many occasions, the LORD remained trustworthy, committed to His people, dependable and worthy of worship, honor and praise.

Habakkuk 3:3 says, “God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah! His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.” The word “splendor” in the Hebrews literally means weight, power, majesty and authority. In other words, splendor refers to the Shekinah glory of God. Shekinah is the English transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning “dwelling” or “settling” and means the dwelling or settling of the divine presence of God.

Teman, named after a grandson of Esau, was an Edomite city (Amos 1:12; Obad. 9). Mount Paran was located in the Sinai Peninsula. Both refer to the places where God displayed great power when He brought Israel into the Land of Canaan (cf. Deut. 33:2; Judg. 5:4).

Habakkuk 3:4 says, “His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power.” It is interesting to note that Teman and Paran are barren dessert regions in which there is very little growth or shade to block the sun’s brightness. However, the glory of the LORD surpasses even the created brightness and glory of the sun.

Habakkuk 3:5 says, “Before him went pestilence, and plague followed at his heels.” Habakkuk recalled the judgment following Israel’s disobedience to the Mosaic Covenant God gave at Mt. Sinai (Ex. 5:3; Num. 14:12; Deut. 28:21–22; 32:24), Habakkuk emphasized the sovereignty of God’s judgments. Both the LORD’s glory and judgment were a part of His divine presence.

Are you consciously aware of the glory of God throughout your day? Are you conscious of the substantiveness of His divine being? If not, then ask the God to give you an increasing sense of His presence as you contend with the world, the flesh and the devil. Do not allow the attractive temptations to sin dull your senses to the glorious presence of God.

May the LORD’s grace and truth be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

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Habakkuk: In Wrath, Remember Mercy!

“A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth. O LORD, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O LORD, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.” (Habakkuk 3:1-2)

It is a good thing to always approach the LORD with a spirit of reverence and respect. The Bible calls this fear. It means to stand in awe and to revere the LORD.

Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” Psalm 111:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! It is therefore right to conclude that the fear of the LORD is central to wisdom, or a proper understanding of applying Scripture to one’s life situations.

Habakkuk, who could be accused of approaching the LORD with a spirit of arrogance and pride, now does so with reverence. He fears the LORD: not only because of who He is but also because of what He does and has promised to do.

Habakkuk then prays that as the years continue that the LORD would revive this spirit of fear. Habakkuk does not want to forget what it means to reverence and to stand in awe of the LORD. To revive means to keep the spirit of fear alive and to recover it from the ill condition of forgetfulness.

Habakkuk also requests that God would make such fear and reverence known. The prophet asks that God would reveal and bring forth such awe in the lives of His people.

Finally, Habakkuk asks the LORD that He would remember mercy in His display of wrath. Within the context, wrath is God’s divine displeasure towards sinners and their sin. In this particular case, with the Nation of Judah. Mercy is God’s love and compassion. Habakkuk asked God to combine His righteous wrath and divine judgement with His love and compassion.

This is what God did at Calvary. He poured out His righteous wrath upon Jesus and then extended His loving and compassionate mercy towards us who deserved His wrath. When the LORD brought me to an understanding of this divine initiative, I was filled with reverential fear and awe.

As one commentator explains, “The LORD has determined that no one who does evil impenitently can stand forever. We must hear this word in our day. A nation that has experienced great blessing, such as the United States, will not endure if it rejects the Lord of hosts, even if God has used that nation to do good for the world.”

May the LORD’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!