Wednesday, October 1
Habakkuk 2:1-4
2:1I 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 Then the Lord answered me and said:
Write the vision;
make it plain on tablets,
so that a runner may read it.
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.
4 Look at the proud!
Their spirit is not right in them,
but the righteous live by their faithfulness.
“… 4 Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faithfulness …”
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverb 16:18) Habakkuk takes this one step farther. He says that the spirit within the proud is not right – off center – confused – not in tune with God. In contrast, those whose relationship with the Lord is based on faith, have a right understanding of God’s will and God’s way.
As I look at the political landscape on both sides of the aisle, I see a lot of braggadociousness, haughtiness, and pride. Rather than humility which befits the godly, many today are expressing just the opposite. Their self-lauding and self-promoting not only show forth their hubris, but, according to the prophet, they also serve as an indication of their faithlessness before God.
The people of God are not called to be doormats, bending backward for everyone or everything that comes their way. However, recognizing that their strength comes from the Lord, they bow to God’s will and God’s way for their lives. They seek to grow in faith by following the example of Jesus, showing care, compassion, and love for all. In this way, by humbling oneself before God, they find themselves living with a right spirit.
Prayer: Almighty Lord, you call forth righteousness. Lead me in the way of humility that I may always depend on Your strength, not my own, and give witness to Your glory rather than mine. Amen.