Monday 31st July
Read Habakkuk 3:1-2
“A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth.
2 Lord, I have heard of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.
Repeat them in our day,
in our time make them known;
in wrath remember mercy.” (NIVUK)
In accusing God of refusing to listen (Habakkuk 1:2) Habakkuk stands on the ramparts waiting for a response (Habakkuk 2:1). After God reveals the end from the beginning and makes a call for faithfulness amidst the coming turmoil, Habakkuk and the whole world are silenced (Habakkuk 2:20). We now hear the prophet’s response. It is in the form of a public prayer, perhaps sung, perhaps read.
Now Habakkuk stands in awe. He knows that all that was spoken about Yahweh in times gone by, His wrath against the Egyptians, His protection of His people, all those deeds are true. He will judge his people through the destruction at the hands of the Babylonians, His original word will stand (Habakkuk 1:5-11). Habakkuk knows that the judgement is deserved and that in the big picture those engaged in the judgement will also be punished (Habakkuk 2).
Seeking to know and understand God’s will, he accepts that judgement will fall on God’s people. Knowing this, he prays. He prays that amidst this judgement, God’s character will be revealed (cf Exodus 34:6-7). He prays that mercy will be shown.
We know that God answered this prayer fully and finally on the cross. Amidst the greatest of judgements, mercy was ‘remembered’ and shown to us all. Let us continue to stand in awe of Yahweh and make known His mercy in Jesus.
