Posted by 90 Days of Prayer – Day Thirteen
Habakkuk 2:1-2
“I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. Then the LORD replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.”
This book opens with a dialogue of the Prophet’s complaint to God. Habakkuk is both angry and frustrated with the wickedness and injustice being displayed among his own people. He’s is also confused because he feels that God doesn’t seem to be doing much about it.
An Uninformed Dialogue with God
Habakkuk is waiting to hear how God could possibly judge Judah by sending the treacherous and ungodly Babylonians against His own people. God doesn’t dismiss the Prophet’s complaint, nor does he tell him what he’s hoping to hear. God is always dealing with the big picture in view, whereas Habakkuk’s complaint reveals his own limited view of the situation and his preoccupation with his own feelings of how all this is affecting him personally. In our own emotional upheavals, we too can often lose sight of the complexities that God is dealing with on our behalf.
Notice that God does not reproach Habakkuk for his complaining. He tells Habakkuk how he should behave himself in the midst of all the wickedness going on among his own people. God’s answer was completely consistent with His original instructions to the Prophet. Here God tells Habakkuk to write the vision and to wait for it (the big picture). Also note that Habakkuk had to write very clearly so those who read it could understand it, and run with it at the appointed time. This is another indication that Habakkuk’s answer is much bigger than his current view of the situation. His answer has generational implications. We would do well to follow these instructions for ourselves.
Begin Assembling a Written Record
It’s important for us to be in the habit of writing clearly those things that God tells us. Doing this helps us in three ways. First, we will be assembling a written record of God’s instructions to us. This keeps us current with what the Spirit is saying to us and reminds us that there is a bigger picture in view. God helps us in our own situations so we can cooperate with Him, doing our part in the larger issue of world redemption.
Conducting an Informed Dialogue with God
Second, recording what God has said helps us to pray according to His will. What He says to us becomes a powerful part of our prayers. This will also build our confidence in reasoning with God. Third, having those things written down will keep us from forgetting what God has said to us when answers are delayed, and God doesn’t appear to be doing anything about our situation. While waiting for God to answer, we can meditate on the His word and our own written record before us. This helps us to discover and learn from the patterns and timetables that God uses with us. There’s much to learn about His ways and the “why” behind them. Getting to know God and His own perfect methodology, develops within us a maturity that relatively few believers have.
Do not be afraid to express your concerns, complaints, and frustrations to God. He already knows how you feel and what you need. Remember to sit and listen, let Him have His say after you’ve had yours. You’ll be surprised by His responses to your complaints. Start assembling a written record of what God says to you, it will take your prayer life and your relationship with Him to a whole new level. Talk to Him about everything and anything that concerns you and those around you. Be alert, Be patient, and Be Encouraged! -JSP
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