READING: How fearsome and frightening. Their only laws and rules are the ones they make up. Habakkuk 1:7 CEV
The Lord’s response to Habakkuk was that he intended to punish the people of Judah and he would be using the Chaldeans to do it! This was a surprise to the people as well as to Habakkuk. A surprise because the Chaldeans (Babylonians) were a wicked people who worshiped false gods.
They were notorious for their violence, their vast numbers, the bravery of their army and the overwhelming victories they had gained. The mere mention of their name spread terror wherever they went.
Many regard COVID-19 as God’s means of punishing the world for the horrific things that people are doing to one another. Would you agree with this assessment? Why ? Why not?
The Chaldeans are described as ‘fearsome and frightening’. What is the most fearsome and frightening aspect of COVID-19 for you?
At times our circumstances may throw us into a state of terror. Would you like to share a situation which threw you into a state of fear?
It is when these situations arise that we need to remember Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord is present.
The cause of our apprehension and fear is often an unseen enemy, like the COVID-19 virus which we may contract with no initial obvious symptoms. Suddenly unexpectedly we may display symptoms of the virus and become extremely ill.
Similarly our unseen adversary, Satan attacks us through our minds, prompting us to say and act in ways which do not glorify our our Lord. We find ourselves falling to temptation and sin.
How can we counter these unexpected interventions into our normal lifestyle?
Praise the Lord our enemy is a defeated foe, defeated at Calvary. “In him (Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” (Ephesians 1:7 ESV)
