Scripture Text (NRSV)
1:1 The oracle that the prophet Habakkuk saw.
1:2 O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or
cry to you "Violence!" and you will not save?
1:3 Why do you make me see wrong-doing and look at trouble?
Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.
1:4 So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails. The wicked
surround the righteous-- therefore judgment comes forth perverted.
2:1 I will stand at my watchpost, and station myself on the rampart; I
will keep watch to see what he will say to me, and what he will answer
concerning my complaint.
2:2 Then the LORD answered me and said: Write the vision; make it
plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it.
2:3 For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of
the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will
surely come, it will not delay.
2:4 Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the
righteous live by their faith.
Comments:
The prophets seem especially timely in these days when people are
questioning where God is in the midst of "destruction and violence."
This seems a wonderful text to address our anxious people with a word
of hope that there is a vision. That the promise of God "will surely
come," And that the righteous "live by faith." I confess, that I want
some evidence of God's justice coming to pass, but when I am faltering
in my faith I return again and again to Jesus Christ, who is the
evidence of God's "end" for us. I would love to hear from some of you
preacher's out there. Mark
Seems especially poignant in light of today's news of the Pakistani
Christians murderedin church on Sunday. How horrible. I am reminded i
need to pray for Chrisitians especially who live in the minority. Pax,
Pam
I agree with Mark that the prophets are especially relevant at this
time. I see how all the passages for this week connect. People
persevering through persecution and keeping the faith, God's vision. I
am not sure what to do with it since I am not sure who are the
persecuted today. Is it us in North America who have been attacked and
had our sense of security and well being eroded? Or is the the people
of Afghanistan? Or is the people who have lived with terrorism, war,
hunger and oppression in their backyards for years? Maybe it is all of
us? How do we live out God's vision? Can the story of Zaccheus be a
clue for us? As you see, lots of questions? HELP! Blessings from LGB
Greetings, fellow believers...I agree that this text makes an
excellent dialogue partner to offer comfort to our congregations with.
With the new threats and warnings of more terrorism in America this
week, the timing is divine. Of course. What do we do? We continue to
proclaim the goodness of God. We continue to cling to our hope in
Jesus Christ. We acknowledge that "normal" will never be the same
again and seek God's guidance, peace, mercy and grace as we continue
learning to live with as much uncertainty as we've ever had - but with
a new awareness of it. We continue to preach the gospel and we
continue to recognize our 'utter dependence upon God. Lord, help us.
SBHM
Important words! "If it (the vision) seems to tarry, wait for
it.....the righteous live by their faith. This seems to be important
for us, who want all answers immediately, (and I do hear congregations
wanting some immediate answers). There is comfort and hope in living
by faith.
Shalom
Bam-mama
I'm back. Thanks for all the comments. I think we must wait for the
answer from God, indeed. But we already have the answer - we have seen
the Word made flesh, in Jesus Christ. The answer, written large enough
for a running person to see, is the cross of Christ which demonstrates
both the degree to which God is present with us in our theodicy
questions, but also demonstrates (thru' resurrection) the victory
which is our inheritance in Christ. But it is specifically in Christ
that the answer is found, as we carry our own crosses, we will find
the answers we need. Mark
Back to "normal". I wonder what is normal... Normal has never been the
same; image the inquisitions, the plagues, the emmigrations, great
famines. Ask anyone who has gone through any one of the major changes
in life. For some reason our sense of national security h has changed
us to believe that life is stationary rather than ever changing. The
vision written is one of being dependent on God. Normal, I believe is
being dependent on the work of the Holy Spirit through us. Yes, the
social and culture world has changed, yes for the first time many of
us live more closely to the possibility of physical or mental harm
from things we can't control, this is difficult for many to adjust
too. We must stand at the watchpost, and then hear again the message
of hope found in Christ, because it is in Christ that the reality of
what "normal" is can be found. It is normal to build the Kindom in all
kinds of weather! Sort of rambly, Nancy-Wi
Good things -- thank you all. I especially resonate with SBHM's
comment that it's just a new awareness of our vulnerability, rather
than any real change in it. As a hospital and nursing home chaplain I
found that in many cases of trauma. Is that enough to call our people
to new sensitivity, though?
I can't help but think of God's "judgment" in all this, and our need
to rethink a lot of national policies, as well as our own
consumeristic, materialistic habits. If we were to begin to think
"smaller" as a people (not to mention more broadly!)as God warned the
ancient inhabitants of Judah through the prophets to do, and perhaps
as our present economic outlook suggests we may be thinking??, maybe
that judgment will not be as harsh. God's way is to share what we
have, not complacently hoard it. But if I come from this direction,
the Good News is not as comforting. Help! CE in CO
What happened to my contribution? CE in CO
CE in CO,
Yes your contribution is here, and I for one appreciated it. Your
reflections resounds in me, and that is good news! Oh at first it
might not make one happy, but there is a joy of knowing that I must
act differently so that all will have advantage.
Shalom
Bam-mama
My sermon title is "How Big Is Your Billboard?"
Habakkuk was to write his vision large enough for a runner to read. My
questions are What is your vision? What has God revealed to you? Are
you writing it big enough for all to see?
I'm using Billboards from God as my opener. I'm also asking if the
sayings on those billboards are the only messages the world is
receiving.
Obviously this is very rough. I'm having trouble gathering thoughts
this week. I think looking at Thessalonians may be helpful when we see
that what Paul is thanking God for is that the community is growing in
their love for one another, growing and staying strong. Maybe that is
our billboard. Can outsiders look at us, and see that we have
something strong (God's love)?
Ponder on . . .
Pam in San Bernardino
