August 6, 2015: SOPA #2072:

Scripture: Habakkuk (NIV) 2:3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. 4 See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous will live by his faith.

Observation: Habakkuk is waiting for the answer to his question as to why God would use a wicked nation (Babylon) to bring judgment on a more righteous nation (Judah). God tell the prophet that in the end Babylon would be destroyed because of their evil, however Judah would be spared. Babylon was “puffed up” with arrogance and had no desire to serve God. The righteous people in Judah would live by their faith.

Application: The God who brought judgment to the sins of Judah, and ultimately to the wicked nation of Babylon can be expected to bring judgment to a nation that has killed 50+ million babies in the womb. Surely we cannot claim to be so ignorant that we did not know what happened during an abortion! Surely we did not need a series of video tapes of abortionists explaining what happens to the little bodies. As judgment comes, the true church will need live by their faith. Today I should be encouraging people to actually live by their faith as that is what will be required. The older generation must show the younger generation how to put their faith into action.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, prepare your church for times of judgment. Make our living faith shine as a light in the darkness bringing hope and salvation to those nearby. Amen