Welcome to this week's edition of the sermon. It is my hope and prayer that you are all well and having a very good week. I thank the Lord that I have been doing well.
As you know, we have been studying what the book of Habakkuk has to teach us. In today's message, I want to focus on a single verse that comes at the end of chapter 2 which we looked into in last week's message. Habakkuk 2:20 says, "The Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth be silent before Him."
Today, I want us to focus on three of the meanings in this verse. First of all, what is the meaning of this verse in the direct context in Habakkuk's day. In chapter 2, the Lord is answering the objection that Habakkuk has about the Lord using the Babylonians as a means of bringing judgment against the people of Israel. Towards the end of the chapter, it is made clear that those who worship idols and reject the True and Living God will eventually come into judgment. No one is going to get away with anything.
In our verse for our message today, the point was that God had answered Habakkuk. There was nothing more to be said on the matter. This is similar to what we see in the book of Job when God spoke to Job. After the Lord spoke to Job, there was nothing left to say. God is the God of all creation. His will will be done upon the earth. He is omnipotent and omniscient. He has the wisdom and the power to bring about all that which is good and right and in accordance with His perfect will.
There comes a time when we have to rest in the assurance that the Lord knows what is best and will take care of what is wrong with this world. The Lord will also guide and direct the path of our lives in the way that will lead to His ultimate glory in this world and in the world to come. We must have faith in the power of the Lord. He is not like the idols that are simply the creation of people's imagination. Our God created and sustains the entire universe. His will will ultimately be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Now, I believe that there is another way to look at this verse. This verse speaks of the awesome majesty of God. The prophet Isaiah saw the Lord on His throne. This is recorded in Isaiah 6. When Isaiah saw the power and majesty of God, he said that he was ruined. He was in deep awe at the glory of God.
When we understand how powerful and majestic God is in all of His glory, we must be silent in the light of His power. This verse tells us that our God is worthy of the utmost respect and honor. He deserves the best that we can give to Him. As Paul said in Romans, we need to present ourselves to the Lord as a living sacrifice. It is our reasonable service to a great God.
Finally, this verse speaks to me about being silent before the Lord. In Psalm 46:10 we read the words, "Be still and know that I am God." When we go before the Lord in prayer and mediation each day, we don't have to fill that time with a lot of words. There is power in being silent before the Lord and contemplating His majesty and His glory. In the silence, we can allow the Spirit to move in and speak to our hearts.
It says in Luke that Jesus often went out to lonely places to pray and spend time with the Father. I believe that on many occasions, Jesus in silence communed with the Father in Heaven seeking strength for His mission on this earth. Let us be silent before the Lord and understand who He is and what He has done. In the silence, let us wait for Him to speak to us. And let us be quick to hear. Amen.
Prayer requests
Please keep praying for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Keep praying that those who are sick will make a speedy recovery. Pray for the healthcare workers who are doing such a great job in helping people during this difficult time.
Continue to pray for the people of Tonga. Pray that they will continue to receive the aid that they need.
We need to keep praying for peace in this world. Pray for the situation with Ukraine. Pray for peace in Syria, Yemen, Ethiopia and anywhere else where you know that there is conflict.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Bangladesh and Morocco. Pray that many will come to know more about Jesus.
Next week, Lord willing, we will continue in our study of Habakkuk. On Monday, I will post the verses. I will try to have a review midweek. May God bless you all.
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