“Look among the nations and watch – be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe though it were told to you. For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans…” Hab. 1:5, 6. NKJV
God was delivering a message to the kingdom of Judah through the mouth of His prophet Habakkuk. God’s children had turned their backs upon Him and were rebelling through pagan worship. Here, God is saying that even though they think they can go on living this way, He is bringing a mighty disciplinary act against them, by sending the Chaldeans (Babylonians) to conquer them and take them captive.
In our present time, the godless will have to eventually answer for their deeds as well. We may not see it now, but God is working behind the scenes. He never breaks a promise. We must endure in faith until they play out:
Though the fig tree should not blossom; nor fruit be on the vines; the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God the LORD, is my strength… Hab. 3:17 – 19. ESV
God always comes through; and though we may not be able to understand it in the moments of our distress, His timing is always perfect:
And the LORD answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end – it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” Hab. 2:2, 3. ESV
Even when God appears unseen, He continually pleads to the wayward people to come to Him and get themselves forgiven and saved, before they have to suffer judgment for their misdeeds.
“Return, backsliding Israel,” says the LORD; “I will not cause My anger to fall upon you. For I am merciful,” says the LORD; “I will not remain angry forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the LORD your God…” Jer. 3:12, 13. NKJV
No matter what we have done or how far we have fallen, our confession and repentance will always place us back into the arms of our Creator. Feel His heart:
“Return, O backsliding children,” says the LORD; “for I am married to you.” Jer. 3:14 NKJV
“Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backsliding.” Jer. 3:22 NKJV
That is the kind of love, grace and mercy that awaits every one of us when we return to Him. There is nothing that you’ve done that you cannot bring to God and receive His forgiveness for. God’s heart is always bigger than your deed.
And we can never forget that we must get right with God through Christ before we die, or prior to Jesus’ return (whichever happens first). We don’t know when either event will take place, so it is urgent that we do so immediately. God gave us His last call when Christ was resurrected.
God also gives us free will. We can use that free will to either tether ourselves to Him in love, or use it to hang ourselves through disobedience.
God wants you to pick Him:
Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it, and find rest for you souls.” Jer. 6:16 ESV
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and not anxious in the year of the drought, nor will it cease from yielding fruit. Jer. 17:7, 8. NKJV
God is always gazing upon you with love. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done or what you are going through. God loves you. He understands you; and He forgives you when you need it.
If you stick with Him, your live will be blessed and bright, because God is working behind the scenes on your behalf…
Goodnight and God bless.