Renewing Awesome Deeds (Habakkuk 3:2)

 


Thursday, September 19, 2024


Psalm 45

Habakkuk 2:18-3:7

Ephesians 3:1-13


Renewing Awesome Deeds (Habakkuk 3:2)


What a wonderful clash of concepts we have in this first reading. Moving from the end of the section of “woes” of chapter two, into this prayer of chapter three, there is a hinge verse: “the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.” Which one is it? Are we to be silent before the Lord? Or are we to join in this prayer of Habakkuk, which is anything other than silence?


That final part of the woes of chapter two covers the futility of worshipping man-made gods, and this is the hint that leads us to our answer. Creating a god of our own, and then demanding that god speak, is more than a little silly. Idols come in many forms, but they all boil down to the same desire: the desire to rule on our own. I don’t need to remind you (nor remind myself!) that if we were to look at what we were like even just five minutes ago, then we would be eminently disqualified from ruling even a fish and chip shop.


Recognising God’s rule over ourselves is not only accepting the reality of things, but stuns us into silence. Sitting at the feet of our Lord leaves us with nothing to say. All we are left with is awe and wonder.


But Habakkuk is bold enough to speak, and not only speak, but ask. He is not demanding God do anything; rather, Habakkuk recalls the wonderful things God has done in the past, and asks if God would be so gracious as to do them again.


If we are in a spiritual state of silent, respectful awe and love before God, then we are in the right spiritual state to then speak to God. Consider the prayer Jesus taught us: we begin by beholding our heavenly Father, in all his awesome holiness. Then, so Jesus teaches us, we preface our requests by making those requests in line with the Father’s desires: thy kingdom come, thy will be done.


God has done wonderful things in the past, and he will do more wonderful things still. He is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him. Let no-one come before the Lord and ask for a pony for their birthday; rather, come before the Lord and ask that he do what he always has done, his good and perfect will. St Paul gives us clear instructions as to what that will is: “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Ephesians 3:10-11) And, if we have any fear of approaching the holy majesty of our Father, then remember: “In [Christ] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” (Eph 3:12)


How highly do you respect and love God’s holy majesty? And how bold are you in the prayers you make in Jesus’ name?


Holy God, close my lips before your holy majesty, and open them again so that I may speak of your goodness.

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