August 6th
Today’s Reading: Habakkuk 1–3 & John 8
Scripture Focus:
“How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.”
— Habakkuk 1:2–3 NLT
“The Lord replied, ‘Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.’”
— Habakkuk 1:5 NLT
“This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.”
— Habakkuk 2:3 NLT
“Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.”
— Habakkuk 2:4 NLT
“I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy… I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us. Yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.”
— Habakkuk 3:2, 16, 18–19 NLT
⸻
Reflection
Habakkuk was looking at the world around him with his natural eyes, and all he saw was violence, evil, and injustice. So, he was honest with God: “How long, O Lord?”
•“How long?” (ʿad-mātay, Habakkuk 1:2) — This phrase is a deep cry of lament: “Until when, Lord?” It’s more than asking about time — it’s pouring out the heart’s ache for God to act.
Have you ever been there? I know I have—when grief feels unbearable, when pain feels like more than I can handle, when I just don’t understand why God hasn’t stepped in.
Habakkuk also cried out about the “violence” all around him.
•“Violence” (ḥāmās, Habakkuk 1:2) — Brutality, cruelty, and injustice that tears society apart. The same word is used in Genesis 6:11 to describe the world before the flood: “The earth was filled with violence.”
But God’s answer to Habakkuk is the same for us: “I see what’s going on. I am sovereign over it. I am doing something—even if you can’t see it yet.”
Then He calls Habakkuk to live by faith: “The righteous will live by their faith.”
•“The righteous will live by their faith” (ṣaddîq bĕ’ĕmûnâ, Habakkuk 2:4) — ṣaddîq means one in right relationship with God. ’ĕmûnâ is more than belief; it’s steadfast trust, loyalty, and rooted stability. It’s faith that stays anchored in Him even when life shakes us.
Trusting God’s sovereignty does not go unnoticed. When we choose to step out in faith—when circumstances tell us we should be anxious or hopeless, yet we choose to stand firm in His promises—He meets us there.
This is what transformed Habakkuk. Though his situation hadn’t changed, his perspective did. He moved from questioning God to worshiping Him: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord!”
•“Rejoice” (’ālaz, Habakkuk 3:18) — To exult, to leap for joy in God Himself, even when everything else crumbles. This isn’t quiet acceptance—it’s active, defiant joy rooted in Him.
When we trust Him for who He is—not because of our circumstances but because He is worthy—He gives us a new song: songs of deliverance, 🙌 praise, and joy in the God of our salvation.
⸻
Lesson for Me
Even when I cannot make sense of my circumstances, God is at work. My role is to remain steadfast — to wait, trust, and worship Him even in the waiting.
⸻
How Can I Walk in This Truth Today?
•When I feel overwhelmed by what I see, I will choose to look to who God is.
•When I feel the urge to give up, I will stand firm in faith, knowing He is my strength.
•I will practice active waiting — looking for God’s hand at work, even if I don’t yet see the outcome.
⸻
Application Questions
1.Where do I need to shift my focus from what I see to who God is?
2.What does “living by faith” look like in my current situation?
3.How can I choose to rejoice in the Lord today, even if my circumstances haven’t changed?
⸻
Prayer 🙏
Lord, when I feel overwhelmed by the pain, injustice, and chaos around me, help me to trust that You are at work. Strengthen my faith to stand firm in You. Fill me with Your joy and teach me to rejoice in You, no matter my circumstances. You are my salvation, my strength, and my song. Amen.
⸻
Wait on God to Speak
Sit quietly before the Lord. Ask Him to show you where He is at work in your life, even in the waiting. Write down what He speaks to you.
Today’s Reading: Habakkuk 1–3 & John 8
Scripture Focus:
“How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.”
— Habakkuk 1:2–3 NLT
“The Lord replied, ‘Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.’”
— Habakkuk 1:5 NLT
“This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.”
— Habakkuk 2:3 NLT
“Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.”
— Habakkuk 2:4 NLT
“I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy… I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us. Yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.”
— Habakkuk 3:2, 16, 18–19 NLT
⸻
Reflection
Habakkuk was looking at the world around him with his natural eyes, and all he saw was violence, evil, and injustice. So, he was honest with God: “How long, O Lord?”
•“How long?” (ʿad-mātay, Habakkuk 1:2) — This phrase is a deep cry of lament: “Until when, Lord?” It’s more than asking about time — it’s pouring out the heart’s ache for God to act.
Have you ever been there? I know I have—when grief feels unbearable, when pain feels like more than I can handle, when I just don’t understand why God hasn’t stepped in.
Habakkuk also cried out about the “violence” all around him.
•“Violence” (ḥāmās, Habakkuk 1:2) — Brutality, cruelty, and injustice that tears society apart. The same word is used in Genesis 6:11 to describe the world before the flood: “The earth was filled with violence.”
But God’s answer to Habakkuk is the same for us: “I see what’s going on. I am sovereign over it. I am doing something—even if you can’t see it yet.”
Then He calls Habakkuk to live by faith: “The righteous will live by their faith.”
•“The righteous will live by their faith” (ṣaddîq bĕ’ĕmûnâ, Habakkuk 2:4) — ṣaddîq means one in right relationship with God. ’ĕmûnâ is more than belief; it’s steadfast trust, loyalty, and rooted stability. It’s faith that stays anchored in Him even when life shakes us.
Trusting God’s sovereignty does not go unnoticed. When we choose to step out in faith—when circumstances tell us we should be anxious or hopeless, yet we choose to stand firm in His promises—He meets us there.
This is what transformed Habakkuk. Though his situation hadn’t changed, his perspective did. He moved from questioning God to worshiping Him: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord!”
•“Rejoice” (’ālaz, Habakkuk 3:18) — To exult, to leap for joy in God Himself, even when everything else crumbles. This isn’t quiet acceptance—it’s active, defiant joy rooted in Him.
When we trust Him for who He is—not because of our circumstances but because He is worthy—He gives us a new song: songs of deliverance, 🙌 praise, and joy in the God of our salvation.
⸻
Lesson for Me
Even when I cannot make sense of my circumstances, God is at work. My role is to remain steadfast — to wait, trust, and worship Him even in the waiting.
⸻
How Can I Walk in This Truth Today?
•When I feel overwhelmed by what I see, I will choose to look to who God is.
•When I feel the urge to give up, I will stand firm in faith, knowing He is my strength.
•I will practice active waiting — looking for God’s hand at work, even if I don’t yet see the outcome.
⸻
Application Questions
1.Where do I need to shift my focus from what I see to who God is?
2.What does “living by faith” look like in my current situation?
3.How can I choose to rejoice in the Lord today, even if my circumstances haven’t changed?
⸻
Prayer 🙏
Lord, when I feel overwhelmed by the pain, injustice, and chaos around me, help me to trust that You are at work. Strengthen my faith to stand firm in You. Fill me with Your joy and teach me to rejoice in You, no matter my circumstances. You are my salvation, my strength, and my song. Amen.
⸻
Wait on God to Speak
Sit quietly before the Lord. Ask Him to show you where He is at work in your life, even in the waiting. Write down what He speaks to you.