Daily Dose of Hope

December 22, 2024

Day 1 of Week 39

Scripture: Habakkuk 1-3; 2 Corinthians 7

Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church Bible reading plan.

Today, we start the book of Habakkuk. Habakkuk was one of the minor prophets, living in the 600s BC, and prophesying around 605 BC. Habakkuk prophesied about the Babylonians and the destruction of Jerusalem, which puts him in the time period where the Babylonians had become a conquering nation but had not yet endangered Judah.

The book of Habakkuk mainly addresses questions about why God allows injustice. Unlike other prophets that were sent to prophesy against Israel, Judah, or other nations, the book of Habakkuk records a conversation between Habakkuk and God. From this, we see an interesting picture of God dialoguing with a follower who has questions. By reading Habakkuk, we also find answers.

For instance, in Habakkuk 1:1-4, the prophet says, How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.

Habakkuk is distressed over the evil in Judah and God tells him that there will be retribution when Babylon conquers Judah. This horrifies Habakkuk even more because in his mind the people of Judah are still significantly better than the people of Babylon. But God assures Habakkuk that Babylon will eventually be punished as well. This pleases Habakkuk and he praises God.

Our New Testament passage for today is 2 Corinthians 7. Paul continues to express his love and dedication to the Corinthians. Despite their disobedience and their lack of confidence in him, Paul has confidence and love for them. In fact, Paul says that he would live or die with them. He is making the point that their relationship as brothers and sisters in Christ will not end with physical death. They are united for eternity. This means something!

Have you ever considered that you are united with your fellow believers for eternity? This usually brings me great joy. I've met Christians all over the world who I know I won't ever meet again in this earthly life. But yet, we will be together in heaven forever. At the same time, there are believers who I know with whom I've never quite gotten along. Guess what? I also will spend eternity with them. Our bonds as Christian brothers and sisters are strong, friends. Is there a Christian brother or sister with whom you have disagreed and you need to make amends? Our allegiance to Jesus should always trump our individual disagreements. I'm not saying to be a doormat. However, think about the disagreement, pray about it, and see how God wants you to proceed.

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki