Scripture Reading : Habakkuk 1:1-11
Theme : Lament of Habakkuk
Habakkuk was written between 640–615 b.c., just before the fall of Assyria and the rise of Babylon (Chaldean). He is from Judah and his message is for Judah. This book is about Habakkuk’s bewilderment at the way God is working in this world. God responses by answering some of his questions and by not answering other questions. Ultimately, God commands Habakkuk to live by faith in God’s power and character when he is puzzled.
Prophet’s First Lament (1-4). Habakkuk cries out to God because of all the sins and injustice surrounding him. Once again, Judah has abandoned God and His laws. As result, there is rampant crime and injustice in the society. Habakkuk wonders why God is not doing anything about evil in Judah.
God’s First Comfort (5-11). God tells Habakkuk that He is doing something about it. Habakkuk cannot see it but God will punish Judah by raising up the Chaldeans, i.e. Babylonians, as the rod of His anger to punish Judah. The Babylonians are a strong, prideful, merciless people who will rule the middle east. Their very standard of righteousness is themselves. They worship their own physical and military power. This is their glory.
Praying the Scripture
- It is righteous to ask God in a humble, reverent manner when we are puzzled just as Habakkuk humbly asks God. Our asking must be rooted firmly in our understanding of God’s character and power (Matt. 7:9-11). Asking in a proud, licentious fashion and distrusting God’s character is sinful, as the Jews had done in the wilderness and was punished by God (Ex. 16:3). We also must understand that, although God has revealed much to us, He is not required to answer all our questions. When He does not answer, our job is to trust and obey (Deut. 29:29), not to stay in bewilderment, not to dampen our zeal, and not to suspect God.
- This mindset of trust and obedience is important when it comes to our puzzlement at how God is sovereignty in salvation and yet humans are responsible. God has not revealed this mystery. Our job is not to try to understand the incomprehensive or to be paralyzed in our bewilderment, but to believe in both of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility as the Bible teaches us, and to obey God by having compassion on unbelievers and share the gospel with them with zeal. Pray that God will enable us to live a life of faithful obedience that is not hindered by unanswered questions. We trust in God’s character and His Word, which He has proven overwhelmingly to be true and righteous. Blessed be His name!
经文：哈巴谷书1:1-11
主题：哈巴谷的哀号
哈巴谷书是在公元前640-615年之间写的，即亚述沦陷及巴比伦（迦勒底）兴起这期间。哈巴谷是犹大人，而他的信息也是给犹大的。这本书记载了哈巴谷对神在这世上的作为之惊叹。神回应了哈巴谷的某些问题，但也选择不回答其他问题。最后，神吩咐哈巴谷：在他困惑的时候，要信着神的大能和品性，凭信心而活。
先知的首个哀号（1-4）。哈巴谷因着周遭所包围的罪与不公向神哀求。犹大再次离弃了神与祂的律法，所以社会充满了罪行，很不公正。哈巴谷不晓得神为什么对这一切默默无声。
用经文祷告
- 当我们觉得困惑时，以谦卑、敬畏的态度求问神并没错，就如哈巴谷谦卑哀求神一样。我们的祈求必须是出于对神的品格与大能的正确理解（太7:9-11）。以骄傲、肆无忌惮并不信任的态度求问神是有罪的；犹太人在旷野中便是如此，结果被神惩罚（出16:3）。我们也必须了解，虽然神向我们的启示不少，但祂有权利不回答所有的问题。若是如此，我们就要信靠顺服（申29:29），不用继续困惑，觉得扫兴，或质疑神。
- 至于神对救恩的主权与人的责任之困惑，我们要持守的态度是信靠、顺服。神还没揭晓这个谜底，而我们的责任不是要试着解开这个谜团或留在困惑中，乃要根据圣经的教导相信神有主权，人也有责任，并顺服神的诫命，向非信徒施展怜悯，热心地向他们传福音。祈求神能加添力量，让我们在信心中顺服，不被无法得到解答的问题绊倒。我们相信神的属性与话语；祂已在多处证明圣经是真理，是公义的标准。让我们称颂祂的名！
