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.
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