How long, O LORD, must I cry for help?
Must I forever see these evil deeds?
Why must I watch all this misery?
The LORD replied:
"Look and be amazed!
For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it."
Will you let them get away with this forever?
I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost.
There I will wait to see what the LORD says and how He will answer
my complaint.
Then the LORD said to me:
"This vision is for a future time.
It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled.
If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently,
for it will surely take place.
It will not be delayed!
Look at the proud!
They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked.
But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to Me.
For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the LORD."
I have heard all about you, LORD.
I am filled with awe by Your amazing works.
In this time of our deep need, help us again as You did in years gone by.
Remember Your mercy.
I see God moving.
His brilliant splendor fills the heavens, and the earth is filled with His praise.
His coming is as brilliant as the sunrise.
He is the Eternal One!
I will wait quietly for the coming day.
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
And there are no grapes on the vines;
Even though the olive crop fails,
And the fields lie empty and barren;
Even though the flocks die in the fields,
And the cattle barns are empty…
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD!
I will be joyful in the LORD of my salvation!
The Sovereign LORD is my strength!
(From Habakkuk)
BLOG = “Blessedly Leaning On God!”
Hi Sharon -
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!!
My computer is glitching so please forgive the the errors that maay appear.
Thank you for your thoughtful and loving messages on my blog.
The Lord had me off blogging for about 7 days to be with Him more...
Last night I did some posting but at about the stroke of midnight, my phone went dead as did the Internet.
Yesterday Satan attacked me and was angry because I ministered, in earnest, to someone.
It is no coincidence that when the Lord led me back on line that my phone went dead...
I was told by the phone co. that a tech cannot come out until Jan. 13. Long story short, this a.m. when I got up at about 6, the Lord told me to get my laptop and go out and finish what got interrupted on my blog last night and to also come here to your blog. I am sitting outside writing this. Warriors don't quit.
Out here, there is more "tech" interference...Please pray...thank you
I will respond to your post separately....
Hi -
ReplyDeleteI love this post, Sharon. It so fits where I am presently after last night. That Habakkuk reference is one of my favorites.
You used "watchtower." Yes! You are so right - "Yet I will rejoice." The SOVEREIGN Lord is our strength. He never fails us.
Last night after my "episode," I praised our Lord on my knees, and prostrate before Him. And I put on a gospel tune and danced in His awesome presence. Glory to His name.
He keeps proving that His grace is sufficient.
NOTHING happens that is not on GOD's radar.
Happy New Year, invincible GOD, our Almighty provider WHO supplies all of our needs.
God always has a plan, even when we are surrounded by situations beyond our control. Habakkuk sets a fine example of his faith in God in all circumstances. We too can be like Habakkuk, if we are willing to not let our judgment be clouded by external situations, to let go, to fully trust God by standing firm in our faith in Him - even when disaster strikes - and praise Him for His faithfulness.
ReplyDelete(((Sharon))) I loved this and what is absolutely amazing (but not to God of course) is that I wrote that email I sent you this morning before I read your blog; I think we are on the same page about how awesome God is going to work in situations in his own timing and we can't despair but take heart and wait!! I think God will work mightily like I wrote in that email!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
betty
Sharon, I had to stop by to just say that I've missed reading your posts & the insight you offer. I consider myself SO very blessed for having met friends like you here in blogland. I so look forward to where God takes all of us in reaching out to the world for Him. I pray that each of our blogs reach new followers & that our comments to one another bring hope & encouragement. Thank you for all you've done to encourage (& even amuse sometimes) me this past year. Hugs ~ Merana
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteAs I read your post, my thoughts were imagining myself in the place of Habakkuk; to actually hear the voice of God answer my questions.
Each new year has both hope and uncertainty. We try not to think of the uncertainties, but they seem to linger in the corners of our mind. I know that 2010 began with me asking God for help with my life, I had failed; I was the proverbial prodigal son. In my despair, God extended grace to me and began me on a journey of faith, hope and trust.
Along the way, our paths crossed and fellowship and friendship was born. We live on opposite sides of the country, but it has not hindered our ability to share God's grace and goodness.
I have sat and listened as you shared a thought, a word, a moment when God illuminated a truth. You have encouraged, inspired and challenged me and that defines your friendship to me.
I look forward to what our Lord imparts through you; learning from you as we both continue our journey of faith in Christ.
Sending my hopes for a joyous and promising 2011 for you, Hubs, and your sons.
Thank you for allowing me to share in the journey.
Blessings and peace.
MTJ
Sharon, thank you for sharing with us and I pray a year filled with the Hand of our Sovereign LORD on your life. Blessings to you and peace!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!!!
Thanks for all your encouragement in 2010,
ReplyDeleteSharon. I look forward to continuing the
journey with Christ and you. Really enjoyed
this today.
Happy New Year!
Sandy
Just stopping by to wish you a happy new year. sandie
ReplyDeleteWhat an encouragement you have shared as we look ahead to this New Year! We may all wish each other New Year Blessings, but what will this New Year hold for us?
ReplyDeleteAnd as we look at the state of our country,the state of this world, the prevalence of moral decay with no repentance or remorse, we hear the words of Habakukk. They are an encouragement--for the Lord sees, hears, and will bring comfort, and deliverance we pray. We have all been sinners and walked the crooked path. Praise God for His salvation.
Looking forward this year to the Lord's wisdom He shares through you, Sharon. You are a blessing to many!
Happy New Year,
Janis
Sandra - There is nothing more irritating than computer glitches. Especially when I'm pretty sure Satan is behind them! So glad that you found a way to get God's Word out. I will be praying. I loved your sentiment - Warriors don't quit! Amen. Even though...yet I will rejoice!
ReplyDeleteKerrie - Thanks for your inspiring thoughts. To sum it up - let go, fully trust, stand firm, praise Him. Couldn't be simpler. God ALWAYS has a plan, and He is good - all the time. May God give us the strength to follow Him, in spite of external circumstances, in spite of our conflicting emotions.
Betty - Your email couldn't have been more encouraging, or more timely. I so needed your uplifting words. We are on the same page!! For my particular situation - I'm claiming Habakkuk's words. EVEN THOUGH I don't see the possibility of what I hope for - YET I WILL rejoice in the awesome power of God's Work, and the perfection of His timing! I will cling to the HOPE of His Salvation!
Merana - What a pleasure to have you "around" again! I've missed you! You have been a blessing and inspiration to me, too. I just know that God has BIG plans for all of us in Blog Land this year. Not the least of which is the vitally needed encouragement we bring each other. (P.S. Glad that I've been able to be amusing, too - that makes me :)
MTJ - I'm so full of gratitude for your very kind words. Thank you. I have also been tremendously blessed by your words (both in your posts and in your comments here). You have a uniquely deep, and yet profoundly simple, way of seeing and conveying God's Word. Being a "recovering prodigal" myself, I know what you're talking about. The faithfulness of God, the graciousness of His love - I can't describe the wonder of it. But...I know you know. Looking forward to where God takes us on our journeys this coming year!
Keep reading - there's a Part Two to responses tonight!!
Lisa - Thank you. I will be praying for you, that you will feel the Sovereign Hand of God on you as you face your health difficulties. I will pray for peace, and a reassurance that all is well with your soul!
ReplyDeleteSandy - Thank you. I am very happy to have met you, and to have the chance to share our journeys. I have been blessed by your faithful thoughts, and gained so much encouragement from your words. I look forward to seeing where God leads in 2011!
Sandie - A Happy New Year to you, too! Did you dance in celebration? (Oh, sorry - that was a little insensitive of me! HEE HEE!) Seriously, my friend - hoping that God will bring you many blessings in this new year. And may He give you a quick recovery, and rapid healing - and a renewed spirit of joy!
Janis - Thank you so much. I agree with you - looking at the state of things is pretty discouraging - I guess that would be the EVEN THOUGH part. But, God still sits on His throne, and we have hope for an eternity with Him - that would be the YET I WILL REJOICE part! (Glad to have you back blogging - if you get a chance, come back Monday for Marty's resolutions!)
I am grateful for all of you - thank you for stopping by on this first day of the new year. Looking forward to the work God will do IN us and THROUGH us as we march into a new decade, armed with His Word, and dedicated to His purposes!
GOD BLESS!