HABAKKUK
“…GOD “ALWAYS” KEEPS A REMNANT…” part 2
“…God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.…” (Genesis 45:7 NIV). “…God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors.…” (Genesis 45:7 NLT).
“…And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you…” (Genesis 45:5 NIV).
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There is APOSTASY recorded throughout biblical history. “… [YOU]… FORGOT all about ME,” says the Lord…” (Hosea 2:13 NLT). “… you became proud and FORGOT ME….” (Hosea 13:6 NLT). “…for years on end my people have FORGOTten ME…” (Jeremiah 2:32 NLT).
“…They ABANDONED ME and did not obey my word….” (JEREMIAH 16:11 NLT). “…They ABANDONED the Lord… they turned their backs on him….” (2 Chronicles 29:6 NLT). “…The Lord replies, “This has happened because my people have ABANDONED MY INSTRUCTIONS; they have refused to obey what I said….” (JEREMIAH 9:13 NLT).
The righteous REMNANT of God is what is LEFT after the great multitude of God’s “proclaimed” people are fallen away after a great calamity, trial, or tribulation.
“…THE WAY is narrow that LEADS TO LIFE, and there are FEW who find it…” (Matthew 7:13-14 NASB). Thus out of the millions and millions of those who claimed to be one of God’s people, there will ONLY be a few LEFT, which is why they are called a REMNANT.
Habakkuk was part of the remnant of Judeans, in his day, who remained faithful to God.
He was concerned about the WAYWARD Judeans who had fallen away from their God and he did not understand why God wasn’t punishing their many iniquities or doing anything about their conduct.
They were already living within a nation where they had been in captivity, yet they were still committing great apostasy and idolatry against God.
Habakkuk simply wanted them to repent and return to the Lord... yet it, in his opinion, he thought God was turning a blind eye to their blatant apostasy.
Habakkuk wanted things back the way they were when God’s people were on one accord with God. It is NO surprise that he was SHOCKED that God was planning to USE wicked Chaldean/Babylonian nation as agents of correction for his covenant people!
Habakkuk knew the Chaldean/Babylonians were a godless, pagan practicing, evil, and wicked who were worst than the apostates of Judeans.
The Chaldeans/Babylonians were a cruel, pitiless, brutal, violent, and prideful nation. They had an appetite for taking over other nations, they served false gods, their governmental systems were corrupt, and they stole from the people they conquered.
Yet, God had told Habakkuk he was going to use them to punish His own people! Israel's sin did not seem to be so great by comparison.
However, Habakkuk KNEW “all” sin must be punished, even those continual sinful practices of his “own” people. God also told Habakkuk that the nation he was using to punish His own people would themselves be punished.
Nonetheless, with this news, Habakkuk knew BIG TROUBLE was coming through the Chaldeans/Babylonians. He was SAD, SORROWFUL, and REPENTANT about it.
He pleaded with God for remember his MERCY toward his people even though they had become apostate and idolatrous
However, Habakkuk knew that God's judgement on His people would STAND. “...whatever a person sows, this he(she) will also reap. ..” (Galatians 6:7-8 NASB). “...For the one who sows to his (her) own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh...” (Galatians 6:7-8 NASB). “...You have plowed wickedness, you have harvested injustice...” (Hosea 10:13 NASB). “...they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own schemes...” (Proverbs 1:31 NASB). “...One who sows injustice will reap disaster...” (Proverbs 22:8 NASB).
Habakkuk couldn’t understand God’s decision, but he also couldn’t deny the goodness of God, his righteousness, his faithfulness, or his unconditional, unfailing love towards His chosen people. “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).
“… [Nothing] … will be able to separate … [his people] … from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB). God, through Christ, has “….loved [you]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV).
God, the Holy Spirit, ASSURED Habakkuk that those he was allowing as his AGENTS of CORRECTION or PUNISHMENT would have a transforming effect on God's people that would lead to repentance and restoration to him. “...justice will be upheld…” (Job 36:16-21 NLT). “… [god, the holy spirit]...who judges justly…” (1 Peter 2:20-23 NIV). “…everything he (God, the Holy Spirit) does is right and all his ways are just....” (Daniel 4 NIV). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
Habakkuk was informed, by God, like Abraham was. He told the prophet the just or righteous shall simply continue to live by faith and they would be fine. “...Behold, his soul (the wicked soul) which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith...” (Habakkuk 2:4 KJV). “...For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith...” (Romans 10:17 KJV). “...But that no man (woman) is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith...” (Galatians 3:11 KJV). “...Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man (woman) draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him...” (Hebrew 10:38 KJV).
The righteous are to CONTINUE to trust and depend upon God, the Holy Spirit, and his WORD no matter what they SEE. “…live by faith, not by sight….” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV).
The righteous are empowered and strengthened by the indwelling Holy Spirit to SEE, through FAITH, beyond the present circumstance with confidence in the God of JUSTICE. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
“…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want…” Philippians 4:11-12 NIV).
“...He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust...” (Psalm 91 KJV).
“...Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler...” (Psalm 91 KJV).
Whether he liked it or not, whether he agreed with God or not, and whether he approved of it or not, Habakkuk surrendered to God’s will.
Even Habakkuk prayed changed, "though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines.. though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food.. though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls.. YET I will exult in the LORD. I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.. for the Lord my God is my strength.." (Habakkuk 3:17 KJV).
Habakkuk humbled himself before God’s will and sovereignty. For the moment he was in, he decided to TRUST, completely, in God’s plan of redemption for his WAYWARD people.
The righteous REMNANT always have the most important ROLE, during disasters and calamities, of being beacons or witnesses of God’s mercy and grace.
God has dealt with his WAYWARD children throughout biblical history and God’s people chose to TRUST his WAY and PLAN.
As in Habakkuk’s day so it is in the 21st century, God’s people have BECOME corrupt and have utterly compromised his HOLY WORD.
They are committing apostasy, accepting unrighteous, unjust, and unfair pagan laws, they are following false narratives, they are listening to false teacher and doctrine of demons, they are wearing those teaching on their foreheads, they are changing God’s word to fit into their own selfish agendas, they have allowed corrupt people in God’s churches, and are calling evil, good.
Habakkuk prayed, during this corrupt time, and pleaded for God’s mercy. In the 21st century, God’s righteous remnant can choose to do the same thing. The Body of Christ, in the 21st century, has not done and is not doing what they were put upon earth to do. “…when the righteous DO NOTHING, sinful practices are emboldened and evil, wicked way prevail…”
God’s people are either complacent or participating with the world. “…If My people which are called by My name shall humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and TURN FROM their wicked ways…” (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV). “… And …“If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?” (1 Peter 4:18 NLT).
Each of us, living in the 21st century, have witnessed how God’s very own people have GONE ASTRAY and FALLEN AWAY for God. “…I KNOW THY WORKS, AND THY LABOR, AND THY PATIENCE, AND HOW THOU CANST NOT BEAR THEM WHICH ARE EVIL: AND THOU TRIED THEM WHICH SAY THEY ARE APOSTLES, AND ARE NOT, AND HAS FOUND THEM LAIRS… [however,] … you hath left your first love…” (REVELATION 2:2 KJV).
Whether they love him or not, God LOVES his people. He demonstrates and expresses that LOVE by ENCOURAGING them to REPENT by going BACK to the position of GRACE in which they have FALLEN. God is merciful. “…The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth…” (Exodus 34:6 KJV).
“…Don't you see how wonderfully kind …God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (Romans 2:4 NLT). “…He is being patient for YOUR SAKE. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent…” (2 Peter 3: 9 NLT).
He lovingly encourages them to COME BACK to the position of dependence upon HIS indwelling Holy Spirit so they can AGAIN become EMPOWERED to DO the first WORKS. FIRST LOVE (God) cares for his people. “...He careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “…What is important [to God is his indwelling Holy Spirit of] Faith expressing [his LOVE by empowering his people to RECEIVE from his many acts of GRACE]…” (Galatians 5:6 NLT).
God is not pleased when his people choose, to return to, a life of practicing sinful behaviors. Christ DIED that they might have life more abundantly. “…That they might have life … more abundantly…” (John 10:10 KJV).
God’s wants his people to CHOOSE to repent and do the first works, which were from genuine devotion. “…Jeremiah, say to the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: “‘When people fall down, don’t they get up again? When they discover they’re on the wrong road, don’t they turn back? Then why do these people stay on their self-destructive path? Why do the people of Jerusalem refuse to turn back They cling tightly to their lies and will not turn around. I listen to their conversations and don’t hear a word of truth. Is anyone sorry for doing wrong? Does anyone say, “What a terrible thing I have done”? No! All are running down the path of sin as swiftly as a horse galloping into battle! Even the stork that flies across the sky knows the time of her migration, as do the turtledove, the swallow, and the crane. They all return at the proper time each year. But not my people! They do not know the Lord’s laws. “‘How can you say, “We are wise because we have the word of the Lord,” when your teachers have twisted it by writing lies? These wise teachers will fall into the trap of their own foolishness, for they have rejected the word of the Lord. Are they so wise after all? ...” (Jeremiah 8:20 NLT).
Throughout biblical history: “…my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
“But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).
Eventually TIME passes, God sends his JUDGEMENT, and “then” his people start to realize they have lost chance after chance to REPENT. “...The Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man…” (Genesis 6:3 KJV). “…They DID NOT like to retain God in their knowledge, GOD GAVE THEM OVER to a reprobate mind…” (Romans 1:28 KJV). “… I will remove they candlestick out of his place…” (Revelation 2:5 KJV).
However, if judgement has NOT come and you are still breathing, you have a chance. God “… is able TO DO exceeding abundantly ABOVE all that we ask or think…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “…The things which are impossible with men are POSSIBLE with God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV). “…I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). God is“... RICH IN MERCY…” (Ephesians 2:1-5 KJV). “…Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY…” (Micah 7:18 KJV).
God prefers for his people to CHOOSE a life of righteousness where his immutable LOVE (God) for them forever EMPOWERS the bond between them. “…love, which is the perfect BOND of unity...” (Colossians 3:14 NASB). “…He that is joined unto the Lord is ONE SPIRIT…” (1 Corinthian 6:17 KJV).
He is FOREVER “BONDED” to his PLEDGE of SPIRITUAL LOVE, but his people can willfully and voluntarily CHOOSE to depart from that BOND. “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
It is the righteous remnant that will choose to continue to LIVE by faith. They will PATIENTLY endure with the help and assistance of the indwelling Holy Spirit. “...For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “...I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me...” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
“…We are PATIENT with those who abuse us…” (1 Corinthians
4:12 NLT). “…Love is PATIENT
and kind…” (1
Corinthians 13:4 NLT). “…Even when we are
weighed down with troubles, it is for
your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can PATIENTLY endure the same things we
suffer…” (2 Corinthians 1:6 NLT). “…We PATIENTLY endure troubles and hardships and calamities of
every kind…” (2 Corinthians 6:4 NLT).
“...HE (SHE) THAT “SHALL” (choose to) ENDURE UNTO THE END SHALL BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV).
It is the RIGHTEOUS REMNANT, that will willingly choose to endure to the end, assured, the indwelling Holy Spirit, will empower them to sustain the journey!
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