God drops the Mic...

Habakkuk 2:2-20

This is a passage considering the difference between relying on God or relying on ourselves, and our theme centred on the concept of living as a righteous person by faith. An edited version of our sermon, split in two sections in the service on July 22nd 2018.  

In the Old Testament righteousness always means ‘right with God’ and a person who lived righteously by faith was right with God.  It isn’t about human perfection versus human failure.  After all men who were counted righteous in the bible such as Abraham or Moses or King David had their flaws as well.  God is broken hearted by those and for those who can’t or won’t live righteously.  These people are motivated by their own internal systems that determine they don’t need anyone or anything else.

In verse 2:5 there is a more specific reference to the Babylonian king, and addiction to drink.  Before you think you have to give up the booze, the Babylonians were well known for their love of strong drink and the trouble it got them in.  Just go and read Daniel 5 - the story of King Belshazzar who, through drink, further desecrates temple items, and sees the hand writing on the wall.  Nevertheless the Babylonians were not only drunk on alcohol but drunk on power.  They were a powerful nation, with a powerful army, who destroyed nations and took the spoils of war.  They thought nothing or no one could overpower them, and the more success they had, the more vain they became. 

Yet that is not unique - it is simply reflective of the human need to conquer and control.  We might not wage war on nations, but we can wage war against a colleague in order to get the status we think we deserve more, we can be controlling in relationships in order to get our own way, we can manipulate relationships in organisations in order to get praise or pedestals, and so on.  Often we try and control God in a similar fashion - using him for our own ends, and dumping him when we don’t think we need him or when we don’t get our own way. 

Living a righteous life, that is led on the premise of God-sufficiency doesn’t feel the need to control or conquer.  As a loved child of God, allowing him to meet our needs we are blessed with a status that no one can top or take away.  We don’t need to find our status by being the best or top dog, although our God given potential will encourage us to strive to be the best. 

The concept of woe to him used in the passage is actually in the tone of deep sadness and lamentation, rather than doom and denunciation.  It isn’t the finger wagging of your Grannie. The first two woes refer to gain by violence, and the second two to rule by violence.  Although, fairly specific to the situation at the time, we can see reflections of current situations throughout the world reflected in them.  Then we have the bottom line - idols.  And boy, do we still like idols. Idols were a huge part of culture - we prefer our gods to be tangible and visible.  It is in an inbuilt part of human nature to worship (whether we like that or not).  We worship football players, musicians, iphones, playstations, George Clooney...  We put people on pedestals because we feel they are better than us somehow, or in order to sook up to them. We might not build our idols from wood or stone, but our idols still tell lies, claim our trust and give revelations that supplant God.  

We often make idols of our families or our children, putting their needs before all others.  Even Jesus warns us of this in the Gospels.  It is not about abandoning them, but if we let them supplant God then we have made them into idols.  Their needs, their desires, our expectations of what they should be doing all distract and steal our time and focus.  And often, if we have to give something up, it will be time with God in some shape or form.  

Habakkuk learns a very valuable lesson in this exchange - the Babylonians are no worse than Israelites in the sight of God.  Habakkuk determines that the Babylonians are worse, but to God, they are all the same.  God is a holy God, and sin is sin.  Whether it is believing we are self-sufficient arrogant taker of all, or supplanting God with idols - celebrity or family - we all fall under the judgement of God.  For Habakkuk that was a mind-blowing moment.  

And so we end with the verse: (Habakkuk 2:20)

The Lord is in his holy temple;

    let all the earth be silent before him.

This is a drop the mic moment - there is no verbal response, for God is on his throne, and still in charge, no matter what it looks like. 

Habakkuk 2:4 

Behold, he whose soul is not upright in him shall fail,

    but the righteous shall live by his faith. (RSV)

The key verse in this passage is this fourth verse.  It is the central truth upon which of the rest is vivid and dramatic commentary.  And it is this message that God wants made plain up and down the land.  Prior to social media and printed news, messages were found on community boards.  Similar then, wooden boards were up where community notices and messages were put.  Habakkuk was to make the message plain, large and legible, a message to be passed on for it wasn’t for a specific time or place or person.  Tablets hints of Moses and so the message looks back to the giving of the law and forward to the coming of the Gospel.  A message for all people.  

As we said last week, God’s time is not the same as our time, and in the waiting and watching we grow in faith.  As righteous people, we might have to wait for the turning around that will happen.  The text is quite subversive, showing that one day those who conquer and pillage, will find the tables turned.  If anything, this is what the incarnation of Christ did, and we can reflect on this through the eyes of the New Testament. 

The challenge we face is standing firm in the face of those who would crush us, or the circumstances that overwhelm us.  Remember how Habakkuk worried in the first chapter about the Babylonians swallowing up the Israelites.  God shows him how the righteous live by faith, and won’t be swallowed up but will flourish.  Faith strips us of arrogance and relies wholly on God.  The author of Hebrews reminds us that ‘faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.’. Jesus said to Thomas ‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe’.  

When people look at you, at me, at those who stand professing the Christ as Saviour, do they see righteous people living by faith?  Or do they see self-sufficient people, who place God clearly in the backseat? Are we right with God?  

To be honest it is a big question and there is a quick answer, and then there is the truth.  There is no doubt that God loves you, that Jesus died for you, and that you are wanted as a child of God.  But this relationship is between you and a holy God, who can do so much in your life, and in your life to come.  

I suppose, are you like Habakkuk pushing to find out more, confident in your relationship with God to be honest with him, and in awe of him enough that when he speaks you are silenced in wonder and faith?

Often in the Christian faith we can try and put God as a priority - a priority is the most important thing in our lives.  God, however, is more than a priority, He is a way of life.  That is the key message of that verse.  This isn’t about how much time you spend reading the Bible, or studying the word, or in prayer, or even in Church.  God isn’t a task on a list, a good habit to have but actually our faith is a way of life.  Our faith impacts on how we live - how we prioritise our life around family, friends, work, health, learning, community involvement, global compassion, you name it.  When we make choices about what to do, where to live, how to act, behave, speak - all of these are influenced, if not ultimately determined by our faith. 

Many were taught as young people according to the Catechism, that ‘man’s chief aim is to glorify God and worship him forever’.  In order to do that we need to nurture a relationship with God, and that is what we need to prioritise until such time as it is simple second nature, or we join him in the heavenly realms.  Habakkuk knows this, and is what he is lamenting that the Jews have forgotten.  And that is the message to be shared - and that is the message of the Gospel.  The Christian faith is not primarily about the must do’s and don’ts - it is about our relationship with God.  And that is the priority until such time as it is a way of life.

See, the enemy is puffed up;

    his desires are not upright –

    but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness.

Or to put it another way: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind.  And love your neighbour as you love yourself.  

Next week we look at just how this kind of living can actually impact positively on our perception of life, especially in troubled times, as we finish Habakkuk.  

Waiting on God’s Time is not Wasted Time

A slightly edited version of the talks given on Sunday 15th - reflecting on Habakkuk 2:1-3 and Matthew 26:36-46 (Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane).  Considering God’s timing and the hidden truths of watching and waiting on him.  (Habakkuk Commentary support from BST)

The majority of western human beings are not good at watching and waiting, and each generation gets worse because of the society in which we now live.  We are immediate people - everything is so readily available to us and waiting seems a waste somehow.  Ironically, the very immediacy we so craved has contributed to economic issues that we face.  Internet banking meant we didn’t need so much face to face, yet previously many of us were on a first name basis with our bank managers, whether we wanted to be or not.  Self-service tills means the need for less staff, online shopping affects the high street, supermarkets that sell everything under one roof does away with competition and community relationships with the butcher, the baker and candlestick maker. 

Habakkuk reminds us that watching and waiting are part of our faith.  God is not an internet system that we use as we please. We don’t place an order and wait for delivery, or use him to manage our emotional accounts with transfers of courage, strength, mercy, love.  God is not a self-service system, that we use for a quick getaway.  Yet how often we treat him like that.  Just like the frustration of the parcel not yet delivered, how quick we are to turn against him.  

Now there is nothing wrong with expressing our emotions with God.  This is not about being stoic, or having the British stiff upper lip.  Habakkuk is very honest with God, telling God what he thinks of his apparently crazy plan.  Remember Job - he shares openly with God, or Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane that we will read shortly.  Habakkuk had a strong relationship with God that allowed him to be honest, indeed blunt with God.  He knew that God wouldn’t stop loving him or turn away in disgust or anger.  However, the key here is that Habakkuk is willing to watch and wait, fully expecting an answer from God.  Habakkuk is in this for the long haul.  

The role of a watchman was crucial in Israel, watching and listening for enemies that may sneak up in the dark.  For a prophet, an essential part of their ministry was showing God’s people when they were going astray and reminding them of the cost of their actions.  Habakkuk, however, is not watching and waiting the people, he is watching and waiting to see what God will do.  Habakkuk wants to see if God will honour the covenant and deal with the Babylonians who are a threat to his people, and he must judge them.  

We might not understand God’s timing, and we might have to watch and wait but there is no one like our God. He is not ours to control or demand from, but he is willing to be in relationship with us, and all that entails.  And sometimes, that means watching and waiting.  Yet the time spent watching and waiting is not wasted time.  

Watching and waiting may seem like a perverse type of punishment, especially in a world where we are reluctant to ever delay gratification, or where we are already exhausted.   

The disciples who slept while Jesus prayed - they weren’t being selfish, they were tired.  Hanging out with Jesus was exhausting and the tension in Jerusalem must have been almost suffocating.  Jesus knew that the end of his time was near, that the moment of truth was upon him.  Could he really see it through?  Could he truly trust that God his Father knew what he was doing?  Jesus was fully human despite his divinity, and with his humanity came the full gamut of emotions, of suffering, stress, concern, even grief. He wanted his friends to watch and wait with him.  

There are times when we need to watch and wait, even if that means it looks like we are doing nothing.  Sometimes these periods are during particularly low points in our life - when we are grieving, dealing with a terrible diagnosis, facing redundancy or during major transitions like choosing a life partner or home.  The time when we are caught in no-man’s land is actually, during a period of watching and waiting, when much is happening, and can be life transforming.  Choice may be whether for good or ill. 

So what does this period of watching and waiting bring?  Well reflecting on Habakkuk and the Garden of Gethsemane story, let’s see. 

Watching and Waiting takes time.  Isaiah 40:31 says that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.  God cannot be rushed, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t heard.  God tells Habakkuk to be patient.  Jesus’ fulfilment of his calling comes generations after his Messiahship was promised. 

Watching and Waiting makes lonely work.  Often the sentry was alone for long periods of time, aware that there are other watchers but alone none the less.  Elisha believed that he was the last prophet standing, not realising God had thousands in the next county.  There are those who have watched and waited even here to see what God will do, and at times, have felt very alone, even ostracised.  Jesus felt so alone when he found his friends sleeping. 

Watching and Waiting offers an alternative plan.  Often, we try to rush the process or God.  We run ahead of ourselves, and hope that God will bail us out. If we just have more programmes, activities, the right kind of coffee machine, people will come back to Church.  We try to rationalise our way out, or perhaps even try to think outside the box.   Yet, sometimes, as we wait and watch we see reality in all its true colours, and then the answers present themselves.  Habakkuk hands it all over to God, having expressed his own thoughts and emotions.  Jesus says if it is possible take this cup yet not my will but yours be done.  ‘Lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways seek the Lord and he will make your paths straight.’

Watching and Waiting calls for quietness.  Sentries listen at night, especially as vision is so limited.  To truly listen we need to be still, calm and at peace.  If our minds and hearts are racing, we cannot truly listen.  Each of us needs to find our own way to find the quiet time, especially those of us who never make time to be still.  Jesus went by himself, away from the worry of his friends, to pray.  

Watching and Waiting requires perseverance, resolve and determination.  How often we throw in the towel, thinking we will never get an answer.  Like a child frustrated that Christmas morn is still not here, we figure that God has  forgotten us.  Yet throughout Scripture we are reminded that we are to seek God, look for God in a whole hearted manner.  Three times Jesus prayed in the garden.  We are to be like guards on the tower, with immense self discipline and steely resolve not to fall asleep or lose concentration.  That is what Jesus called his disciples out on in the garden.  And something I believe he is calling his church out on - falling asleep instead of watching and waiting. 

Watching and waiting leaves us open to correction.  Just as Habakkuk was blunt with God, Habakkuk anticipates God being blunt with him.  If we expect God to respond, to hear our prayers for the future of ourselves, of Blantyre Old or indeed the Church, we need to be open to possibility that he will correct us.  He will call us out on our behaviour, and we need to respond to that.  We might not like, after all children don’t like being corrected either.  But with the right time, and the right correction they know we want the best for them and are helping them.  So it is with God - we have to trust in his sovereignty and plan.  Many people will stall at this point, and continue to wait, hoping for their answer to prayer, not God’s answer to prayer. 

Habakkuk’s prayer is answered and the Lord does respond.  And that we will look at in more detail next week.  Jesus is not freed from his responsibilities but he knows that he does not go into the lion’s den alone.  There are no time limits on how long we watch and wait, but it is only in doing this well that we will ever find our way forward.  If we pay this period of time no mind, and just go through the motions, we are not worshipping the living God.  If we continue as we have always done, then we are not honouring God.  To be angry, frustrated, emotional with God is not a problem.  The challenge is to wait, watch and then respond to what he brings to the table.  Never underestimate watching and waiting, for this time will yield a great harvest, greater than any we can do for ourselves. 

John 15 5 ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

To God be all the glory and praise, now and always.  Amen.  

Holy People of our Holy God

This is a slightly edited version of the sermon given on Sunday 8th July 2018. The month of July sees us studying Habakkuk. 

Habakkuk is a man of prayer, and this book reflects the conversation between Habakkuk and God. It would appear that it is Habakkuk who takes the initiative, who comes to God in prayer, with those fateful words - How long, O Lord?

These are not unusual words in the Bible, and the sentiment behind them is reflected in many stories, even if the words themselves are not used.  How long with the Israelites walk in the desert, how long will they be exiles, how long before the Temple is restored?

The very sentiment behind the phrase ‘How long, O Lord?’ can perhaps be summed up best for us in the phrase children throughout the ages have shared - ‘are we nearly there yet?’ 

Psalm 13:1

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?

    How long will you hide your face from me?

Habakkuk wants to know how long God is going to allow the Jews to continue living in sin.  The Jews had sunk deeper into disobedience towards God and his requirements, so much so that the ten commandments were not just broken, but smashed to pieces.  Habakkuk knows this and he is moved to prayer, not for himself but for God.  How can God continue to gaze upon the actions of his people and do nothing.  God had been silent, and Habakkuk prays.  And this isn’t his first prayer.  The text suggests that Habakkuk has been praying for some time, and his heart is broken for the people and by the people.  How long, o Lord, must I call for you help? 

Habakkuk is determined to get an answer and get God to respond to his prayer.  He prays constantly, consistently, never doubting God’s ability to answer his prayer.  However, when God does finally answer, the response is not quite what he expected.  

God is aware of the sins of his people.  God misses nothing, not the cruel twists of our hearts when silently judge another, the selfish actions that make us blind and deaf to another’s needs or the blatant breaking of his commandments - particularly to love God, and love each other and ourselves.  Habakkuk wasn’t sharing with God something he didn’t know.  Yet he was sharing with God that the actions of his people was hurting him, because he knew the actions were hurting God. Habakkuk must have truly loved God for he could not sit back and say nothing.  He wanted to know why God was not getting involved. 

And then God responds, and Habakkuk is blown away by the response.  God takes another group of people - the Babylonians - and they will bring God’s judgement on the his people.  The Babylonians will trigger the faith of the Jews again, through exile, strife and suffering.  In what seems a never-ending cycle of war, exile and return the Israelites once again will be restored to God. The Babylonians are a powerful race and the imagery in the text helps us to build a picture of a violent, powerful, arrogant army. 

But Habakkuk can’t get his head around the Lord’s plan. 

Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?

God, who is holy, who cannot bear to look upon evil, is willing to use a tribe of people who are more evil than the Jews themselves.  To fix a problem rather than send an army of angels, God appears to be sending an army of devils.  Habakkuk is genuinely concerned for his people, because he knows that the Babylonians are not people you want to encounter.  And if you want to find out more explore the book of Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 6:22-23).

Sometimes, when we hit troubled times, people are heard to say that God can bring good out of evil, and that no times are wasted. That concept comes from Genesis, and is reflected in stories like Joseph or Esther, amongst others.  Even the death of Christ shows God using evil to bring about good. 

Every cloud has a silver lining, and the phrase we hear but isn’t in the Bible - God moves in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform.  You might not find that in the Bible but certainly you could be forgiven it for thinking it as you reflect on this first chapter of Habakkuk.  

Is it possible that hidden in the darkest of times, there are lessons from God himself?    

Something I would like us to contemplate in the week ahead - the concept of the fact that we worship a Holy God, and therefore are holy people.  The events of recent weeks have brought home to many of us in the church, and indeed, outwith the Church the concept of holiness.  For many, who wouldn’t necessarily associate with a Church, felt that what happened was inappropriate because this is a holy place, indeed holy ground. 

If, therefore, that is true, then how much more, should we as holy people, then feel the burden of desecration?   I think, that as a holy people, in a holy place, we have been offered an opportunity to reflect on that which is really important.  We worship a holy God, and recent events, have hit the core of our spiritual selves in a way that no other single event possibly could.  The question is how do we deal with that? 

We could simply put the event behind us and pretend it never happened.  Or we could embrace it and move forward wiser and more aware of God himself.  Nothing, no matter, how bleak, needs to define us in a negative way, because God can turn all things for good.  It doesn’t make them easy, or stop the pain, or make us angelic. But we can be drawn closer into God through the events.  And God can take something awful and bring something good from it. 

God is holy, and he cannot bear to look upon evil.  And yet, he used the Babylonians to judge the Jews. Could it be, might it be, that the one thing we needed shook free from was our very complacency, our apathy, our lost focus?  That this very event that broke our hearts and reminded us that we are holy people because of our holy God might transform us?

 One way of considering this - If we were to be asked where we put most of our effort and energy as a church, what might be our answer? 

Are we like Habakkuk seeing the injustice, the cruelty, the selfishness of people and calling it out before the Lord?  Are we following the great commission to go and make disciples?   Are we nurturing our children and developing our faith as God’s holy in High Blantyre and surrounding?  Or are we looking inward and protecting our own? I invite you to answer these questions prayerfully and honestly.  

In 1 Peter 2 we read:

9-10 But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. (the message)

We worship a Holy God, and this is the work he has called us to - and perhaps, he has given a way to re-engage with our community and parish, if we are willing to accept his guidance, teaching and vision.  Even the darkest day of crucifixion couldn’t defeat our Holy God - so let’s trust him, and like Habakkuk pray for understanding. 

How deep are the wealth and the wisdom

and the knowledge of God!

How inscrutable his judgements, 

how unsearchable his ways!

From God and through God and for God

all things exist - 

to him be the glory for ever!  Amen