Hosted By
Judges begins with a pair of introductions, which orient the reader as to what will follow in the rest of the book. This particular passage describes the spiritual situation amongst God's people. It is messy. The people are getting caught up in the influence of the world around them, and forget the God who has saved them. Nevertheless, God continues to be gracious to his people in delivering them, and calling them to a life of faith. Our lives in this world are always a bit messy, and this passage calls us in the midst of this mess to keep turning to the Lord and trusting in him.
God continues to speak to his prophet by confirming the words he spoke just before this. These verses contain many woes for those who oppose God and choose to walk in their own ways. These paths will not end in satisfaction and happiness. God's reminder in these woes is also that this is not the case in following his path. With the Lord is life. ...
We continue our series on discerning God's will by considering this passage in Romans, which urges us toward a new way of thinking and living in Christ. It is a breaking away from the old patterns of decision-making and actions we had in the past, and a growing in the pattern of listening to the Lord and his leading more and more. This transformation is a life-long process, but we go about all of it in view of God's mercy toward us in Christ. ...
After hearing God's initial reply, Habakkuk has more questions. How can God bring about justice upon his people through an even more unjust nation like Babylon? As God begins to reply, he points the prophet and his people to a vision of the bigger picture of what he is doing. Often in life, we can only see what is right in front of us, and sometimes, that picture can be quite grim. God reminds us that he has not abandoned us, and that he has a grand plan in mind which hasn't been diverted. ...
