The More We Pray

The more we pray, things seem to go worse than before. Reason and logic no longer seem to work. We wonder how could this happen, this senseless killing of hapless people, just because they bear the Name of the Lord. As always I started to search the Scriptures seeking an answer and the Answer Book has it all. There was yet another prophet, Habakkuk,  who tormented just as we are now,  cries out to God asking, “Lord you who do not see evil, how could you allow this to happen, how could you allow the Chaldeans to loot and kill your people?” (1,13)

But the onslaught of evil just keeps advancing. The blood and gore is so overwhelming that the prophet vows that he will wait and watch on the tower till the Lord answers him. (2,1) And we have a wonderful God who always answers those who seek after Him.

 And the Lord starts speaking. He says, Tarry, Wait. This is a very difficult thing to do, in the midst of seething rage. But the Lord never hastens or delays. He says there is an appointed time for the vision to be fulfilled. It is God’s plan that in the appointed time this nation of India will become God’s own land. It will come but we will have to wait, not passively but keep on trusting, keep on praying, keep on pressing forward. When things happen which defy our reasoning and all rationality, we only have to trust in God saying, “Lord you know it all.”

 Read all the three chapters of Habakkuk. Though it shows us the pained tortured soul of the prophet, this book resounds with hope and future. Though right now all that he sees, is the gloating of the enemy, the exultation of the wicked over God’s children, yet he believes in the Promise of God, where God Himself says, “The vision is set for appointed time. It will come though it tarries. Wait for it.” Not only the Lord encourages the prophet, He also asks Habakkuk to write it down, for the eternal God knew after many centuries the believers, His own children will face such situations and the God who never changes will still deliver and fight for His own. And then comes this Promise of all Promises, BUT THE TIME IS COMING WHEN THE EARTH SHALL BE FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF THE LORD AS THE WATERS COVER THE SEA. (2,14)

When the Lord promises He will surely do it. And in spite of everything that seems to happen just against this Promise, we only have to keep trusting. Most often Promises are realized and appropriated  after many battles. Every Christian is called to battle first on the knees and then stand up and do what the Lord bids them to. When He says wait, we will have to simply sit still even when it seems impossible and at times the Lord says, “when you hear the sound on the top of balsam tress rise up and go.” When we stay on our knees, the Lord clearly tells us how to proceed. But here the Lord says, “wait now I will get down into the nation and deliver you.”

AND HIS BRIGHTNESS WAS LIKE THE SUNLIGHT; RAYS STREAMED FROM HIS HAND AND THERE IN THE SUNLIKE SPLENDOR WAS THE HIDING PLACE OF HIS POWER. BEFORE HIM WENT THE PESTILENCE AND BURNING PLAGUE FOLLOWED HIS FEET.

 HE STOOD AND MEASURED THE EARTH; HE LOOKED AND SHOOK THE NATIONS AND THE ETERNAL MOUNTAINS WERE SCATTERED AND THE PERPETUAL HILLS BOWED LOW. HIS WAYS ARE EVERLASTING AND HIS GOINGS ARE OF OLD…WITH RIVERS YOU CLEAVED THE EARTH BRINGING FORTH WATERS IN DRY PLACES. THE MOUNTAINS SAW YOU AND WRITHED. THE DEEP UTTERED ITS VOICE AND LIFTED ITS HANDS ON HIGH. (3:4-10)

The Prophet starting on a very depressive note ends with a very high note of hope. In the Amplified Bible, the third chapter starts as “ A prayer of Hapbakkuk the prophet set to wild, enthusiastic and triumphal music.” The situation has not changed, but the prophet is strengthened by the Promise of God, to keep on trusting  and the strength to sit quietly. Finally he writes  still with pain and agony, but now with a great hope.

I HEARD AND MY WHOLE INNER SELF TREMBLED MY LIPS QUIVERED AT THE SOUND. ROTTENNESS ENTERS INTO MY BONES AND UNDER ME (DOWN TO MY FEET) I TREMBLE. I WILL WAIT QUIETLY FOR THE DAY OF TROUBLE AND DISTRESS WHEN THERE SHALL COME UP AGAINST (MY) PEOPLE, HIM WHO IS ABOUT TO INVADE AND OPPRESS THEM.

THOUGH THE FIG TREE DOES NOT BLOSSOM AND THERE IS NO FRUIT ON THE VINES(THOUGH) THE PRODUCT OF THE OLIVE FAILS AND THE FIELDS YIELD NO FOOD, THOUGH THE FLOCK IS CUT OFF FROM THE FOLD AND THER ARE NO CATTLE IN THE STALLS.

YET WILL I REJOICE IN THE LORD : I WILL EXULT IN THE (VICTORIOUS) GOD OF MY SALVATION.

THE LORD GOD IS MY STRENGTH, MY PERSONAL BRAVERY AND MY INVINCIBLE ARMY ; HE MAKES MY FEET LIKE HINDS’ FEET AND WILL MAKE ME TO WALK (NOT TO STAND STILL IN TERROR , BUT TO WALK) AND MAKE(SPIRITUAL) PROGRESS UPON MY HIGH PLACES (OF TROUBLE, SUFFERING OR RESPONSIBILITY)! 

 

Dear Lord help us to trust, praise, worship, help and intercede despite all the evil that’s happening to our own brothers and sisters. Arise O Lord and the ark of your might. .. We only look to you Lord…our only rock from Whom our help comes from. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.