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pamphletstoinspire · 6 years ago

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Living By Faith: The 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (October 6th)

Our readings this week take up the theme of faith, both Israel’s faith under the old covenant and the faith to which we are called in the new. Jesus urges us not to despair even if we feel our faith is pitiful. God can work wonders using small material.

1. Our First Reading is a famous passage from Habbakuk:

Hab 1:2-3; 2:2-4

How long, O LORD? I cry for help but you do not listen! I cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not intervene. Why do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and clamorous discord. Then the LORD answered me and said: Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. The rash one has no integrity; but the just one, because of his faith, shall live.

Like Jonah, the Book of Habakkuk is an anomaly among the Twelve Minor Prophets. The other ten relate oracles the various prophets delivered on behalf of the LORD to Israel and/or the nations. In Jonah and Habakkuk, however, the focus is largely on the spiritual struggle between the prophet and the LORD concerning the wisdom and righteousness of God’s providence over world history. Both Jonah and Habakkuk struggle with the justice of God’s ways. The Book of Jonah explores this question largely through narrative, whereas Habakkuk engages it through dialogue between the prophet and the LORD. Habakkuk resolves doubts about God’s justice by urging God’s people to live by faith in God’s promises, even if contemporary events seem contradictory or inexplicable. Habakkuk 2:4, which summarizes this message succinctly, is one of the most-quoted verses of the Old Testament in the New (Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb 10:38-39) and has powerfully influenced Christian piety, prayer, and theology.

As is the case with so many of the Twelve, no biographical information is available for Habakkuk. The form of his name is unusual and its meaning uncertain. It may be a passive form derived from the Hebrew root h-b-q, “to embrace,” i.e. “one who is embraced.” The date of the book is likewise uncertain. At least Judah, if not Israel, still seems to be in existence as the prophet writes, so it must be before the exile (>597 BC). Beyond that, the mention of the “Chaldeans” (=Babylonians) as a rising threat in 1:6 (cf. Isa 39) is the best piece of evidence for dating. The prophet’s words indicate that people will be surprised to hear that Babylon will be the agent of God’s judgment (1:5-6). This would certainly not be the case in the early sixth century BC (c. 590s-580s) when Babylon was a dominant and feared world power, so Habakkuk should probably be placed sometime in the late eighth (late 700s) or (more likely) the seventh century (600s) BC, when Assyria was still dominant in the Levant but Babylon was growing in power (cf. Isa 39).

Habakkuk begins his book by complaining to the LORD: why does God seem to do nothing about the violence and injustice the prophet sees around him (1:2-4)? God replies that He is preparing the Babylonians to come and destroy the evildoers (1:5-11) and Habakkuk acknowledges this divine judgment (1:12). However, sending the Babylonians as executors of justice raises another theological problem: how can God judge wicked persons by others who are yet more wicked (1:13)? The prophet goes on to describe the wickedness of wealthy man who consumes others (1:14-16) and “slays the nations” (1:17), perhaps the King of Assyria or Babylon.

The LORD’s response to this second, more sharply-focused complaint from Habakkuk is much longer and more detailed (Hab 2:2-20). First, the LORD counsels the prophet and all the righteous to have patience, even if it seems like the oracles of God are slow in fulfillment (2:2-4). Secondly, the LORD pronounces five woes (vv. 6-8; 9-11; 12-14; 15-17; 18-20) on the “arrogant man” whose “greed is as wide as Sheol” and “gathers for himself all nations.” This may be simultaneously (1) a hyperbolic description of any wealthy oppressor, and (2) a specific description of the King of Babylon (or Assyria). The message of these woes is that the wickedness of the wicked man will come back on his head: those he oppresses will one day suddenly turn on him (2:7) and he will experience the destruction to which he subjugated others (vv. 8, 10, 17).

The Book of Habakkuk ends with a psalm composed by the prophet, which appears in its present context to be a response to the woes against the evildoer just pronounced by the LORD (2:6-20). This psalm, which bears a strong resemblance to Ps. 68 and others, recounts a theophany of the LORD in which he marches north to Israel from the south (the region around Sinai), accompanied by a violent storm and earthquake (1:3-12). Having arrived, he vindicates his “anointed” (v. 13, probably the Davidic King) by slaying the sea serpent that embodies evil (vv. 13b-15). This entire poetic composition, colored with mythological imagery, may be a figurative description of the Exodus, the conquest of the land, or one or more other of God’s great saving acts of his people in Israel’s history. Essentially, it is a mytho-poetic description of God’s power over the forces of evil as the divine warrior, which is manifested in various ways throughout history.

In response to his vision of God manifesting his power and justice, the prophet resolves to “wait quietly” for the day of judgment on those “who invade us” (v. 16) and to rejoice in the LORD even though there is, as yet, no sign of the consolations and blessing that God has promised for his people (vv. 17-19).

The Book of Habakkuk is of perennial theological and spiritual interest because it struggles with the ever-pertinent question of theodicy, the justice of God. If God is good and all-powerful, why do the wicked seem to prosper? Of course, many other biblical books, notably Job and the Psalms, also deal with this issue. The answer offered by the Book of Habakkuk is that God will, in the end, deliver justice to all. In the meantime, it is necessary for the righteous to exercise trust or faith in the goodness, justice, and promises of God. This practical advice is summed up well in Hab 2:4b: “The righteous shall live by his faith” (RSV). The word translated “faith” is ‘emunah, which is more precisely rendered “faithfulness,” “integrity” or “fidelity.” It derives from the same Hebrew root meaning “true” (‘-m-n) that gives us “Amen,” i.e. “so be it!” or “it is true!” St. Paul quotes Hab. 2:4 in Rom 1:17, but follows the Septuagint in rendering Heb. ‘emunah as Gk. pistis, “faith.” Although the Gk. pistis (“faith”) is not the exact equivalent of Heb. ‘emunah (“faithfulness”), it certainly is the case that the Book of Habakkuk, taken as a whole, counsels the follower of the LORD to exercise trust or faith in the present while he awaits the fulfillment of God’s promises in the future.

P. Our Responsorial Psalm is Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9:

R. (8) If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD; let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us joyfully sing psalms to him. R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the LORD who made us. For he is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides. R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Oh, that today you would hear his voice: “Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the desert, Where your fathers tempted me; they tested me though they had seen my works.” R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Psalm 95 is a very common responsorial, and also appears frequently in the Divine Office. The Psalm recalls the trials of faith that Israel underwent in the desert, while wandering forty years under Moses. Massah (“trial”) and Meribah (“contention”) are names of the location in Exod 17 where the people ran out of water, and lost their faith in God and his prophet Moses. The grumbled and complained, accusing God of intending evil for them. We can say that those two events became iconic examples of the loss of faith by God’s people, and they resulted in plagues in both instances. They become ensconced in Israel’s memory as counter-examples to the faith we should embrace and demonstrate toward God.

2. Our Second Reading is :2 Tm 1:6-8, 13-14 :

Beloved:

I remind you, to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.

Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.

Unlike the Israelites in the desert, we have the tremendous “help of the Holy Spirit” in order to maintain the “faith and love” of Christ Jesus in our lives. Faith is contrary to a “spirit of cowardice,” but leads us to an attitude of “power, love, and self-control.” This reminds us of St. Josemaria’s teaching that Christians should have a kind of spiritual “superiority complex” when tackling the challenges of this world. Confidence should characterize the Christian; not self-confidence which the world urges, but what we might call “Christ-confidence” or “Spirit-confidence.” Knowing that “it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me,” we should have this great confidence that God will provide a means for us to overcome the obstacles we face. No doubt this will mean we must share in the “hardship for the Gospel,” but we can rely on the “strength that comes from God” to persevere through it.

3. Our Gospel is Lk 17:5-10:

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

I think many take this parable wrongly. Hearing that faith the size of a mustard seed would be sufficient to perform miracles, folks reason like this: “I can’t work miracles; therefore, my faith must not even be the size of a mustard seed! I must try real hard to muster up some faith the size of a mustard seed, because my faith is microscopic!”

However, I don’t think our Lord was trying to discourage us and tell us that our faith was insignificant. Rather, the purpose of our Lord’s words are consolation, not rebuke. The point he is making to the disciples is this: You don’t need much faith to be effective! Just give me a little bit of faith and I can do great things for you! Just as I took five loaves and two fish and fed 5,000, I can take a mustard seed of your faith and transplant a tree into the ocean.”

Our Lord’s words are meant to be an encouragement. You may only have a tiny amount of faith, but go ahead and step out on that faith anyway. You do not need huge faith already in order to begin serving the Lord. He will take what you have and do great things with it.

“Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”

It’s not immediately apparent what the connection is between this saying of Jesus and the previous teaching on faith. Maybe it’s this: sometimes those who do great works of faith think they are doing God a favor. Jesus says in a different place, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’” (Mt. 7:22) These are works of faith. However, to these individuals, Jesus responds, “Depart from me, for I never knew you, you evildoers.”

We don’t do God favors by serving him. Paul says, “If I have faith to remove mountians” — alluding to a version of our Lord’s teaching in Luke 7—“but have not love, I am nothing.” Great works of faith do not add to God’s glory. Nor does our holiness.

Jesus is reminding us here that we can’t actually put God in our debt, and that even a holy life is only “normal” for God to expect of us. After all, holiness is normal, it is sin and evil that is abnormal. Sin may be typical, but it is still abnormal. Mary was the first normal human being since Adam and Eve fell.

If we live a saintly life, in a sense it is nothing exceptional. All we’ve done is to be truly human, to fulfill the destiny for which we were created in the first place.

It makes me think of an anecdote a friend of mine shared with me this week. A construction crew was rebuilding a Carthusian monastery and came across the grave of a monk. Opening the casket, they found him incorrupt. Wondering what to do, they called the nearest Carthusian monastery, which was in another country. “What shall we do with the body?” they asked. “Bury him again”, came the reply. “But he’s incorrupt!” they protested. “All Carthusians are supposed to be holy,” came the answer, “this is not exceptional. Bury him again.”

This Sunday’s Gospel is calling on us not to pat ourselves on the back every time we turn away from temptation or do an act of mercy. It is only normal. Holiness should be ordinary.

From: https://www.pamphletstoinspire.com/

#27th sunday in ordinary time

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god-is-alive-ministry · 2 years ago

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HABAKKUK'S COMPLAINT

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE EVER READ THE BOOK OF HABAKKUK BEFORE. MAYBE, I SHOULD HAVE PAID MORE ATTENTION WHEN I STUDIED THIS BOOK. LIKE MOST PEOPLE, WE ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME THINGS IN OUR LIFE TODAY. HOW LONG, LORD MUST I CALL FOR HELP. BUT YOU DO NOT LISTEN?, OR CRY OUT TO YOU, "VIOLENCE" BUT YOU DO NOT SAVE. WHY DO YOU MAKE ME LOOK AT INJUSTICE? WHY DO YOU TOLERATE WRONGDOING? DESTRUCTION AND VIOLENCE ARE BEFORE ME; THERE IS STRIFE, AND CONFLICT ABOUNDS. THEREFORE THE LAW IS PARALYZED. (JUST LIKE TODAY) AND JUSTICE NEVER PREVAILS. THE WICKED HEM IN THE RIGHTEOUS.SO THAT JUSTICE IS PERVERTED..UHOH THE LORDS ANSWER; LOOK AT THE NATIONS AND WATCH AND BE UTTERLY AMAZED, FOR I AM GOING TO DO SOMETHING IN YOUR DAYS THAT YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE, EVEN IF YOU WERE TOLD. IF I WAS YOU I WOULD BE READING THIS ENTIRE CHAPTER FOR THE END OF THE STORY. THE LORD HAS ANSWERED. HABAKKUKS SECOND COMPLAINT OUCH, YOU KNOW, THE LORD IS COMING WITH ANOTHER ANSWER GOOD OR BAD BUT IT IS COMING. NOW, IF YOU LOOK AT YOURSELF, YOU ARE GOING TO FIND THE SAME THING IN YOUR LIFE AS HABAKKUK. ARE YOU PREPARED FOR IT? YOU ARE GOING TO FIND YOURSELF WITH COMPLAINTS OF YOUR OWN AND WATCH OUT FOR THE ANSWERS IT MIGHT NOT BE WHAT YOU EXPECTED. OPEN THE BOOK AND SEE THE LORD IN ACTION AND HOW HE DEALS WITH PEOPLE FOR YOUR OWN BENEFIT BE BLESSED.

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loveofyhwh · 7 years ago

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December 26: Habakkuk 1–3; John 17; Psalm 145:14–21; Proverbs 30:29–31

New Post has been published on https://loveofyhwh.com/december-26-habakkuk-1-3-john-17-psalm-14514-21-proverbs-3029-31/

December 26: Habakkuk 1–3; John 17; Psalm 145:14–21; Proverbs 30:29–31

Old Testament:

Habakkuk 1–3

Habakkuk 1–3 (Listen)

1 The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw.

Habakkuk’s Complaint

2 O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? 3 Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. 4 So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.

The Lord‘s Answer

5 “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. 6 For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth, to seize dwellings not their own. 7 They are dreaded and fearsome; their justice and dignity go forth from themselves. 8 Their horses are swifter than leopards, more fierce than the evening wolves; their horsemen press proudly on. Their horsemen come from afar; they fly like an eagle swift to devour. 9 They all come for violence, all their faces forward. They gather captives like sand. 10 At kings they scoff, and at rulers they laugh. They laugh at every fortress, for they pile up earth and take it. 11 Then they sweep by like the wind and go on, guilty men, whose own might is their god!”

Habakkuk’s Second Complaint

12 Are you not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O LORD, you have ordained them as a judgment, and you, O Rock, have established them for reproof. 13 You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he? 14 You make mankind like the fish of the sea, like crawling things that have no ruler. 15 HeThat is, the wicked foe‘>1 brings all of them up with a hook; he drags them out with his net; he gathers them in his dragnet; so he rejoices and is glad. 16 Therefore he sacrifices to his net and makes offerings to his dragnet; for by them he lives in luxury,Hebrew his portion is fat‘>2 and his food is rich. 17 Is he then to keep on emptying his net and mercilessly killing nations forever? 2 I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint.

The Righteous Shall Live by His Faith

2 And the LORD answered me:

“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. 3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. 4 “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.Or faithfulness‘>3 5 “Moreover, wineMasoretic Text; Dead Sea Scroll wealth‘>4 is a traitor, an arrogant man who is never at rest.The meaning of the Hebrew of these two lines is uncertain‘>5 His greed is as wide as Sheol; like death he has never enough. He gathers for himself all nations and collects as his own all peoples.”

Woe to the Chaldeans

6 Shall not all these take up their taunt against him, with scoffing and riddles for him, and say,

“Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own— for how long?— and loads himself with pledges!” 7 Will not your debtors suddenly arise, and those awake who will make you tremble? Then you will be spoil for them. 8 Because you have plundered many nations, all the remnant of the peoples shall plunder you, for the blood of man and violence to the earth, to cities and all who dwell in them. 9 “Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house, to set his nest on high, to be safe from the reach of harm! 10 You have devised shame for your house by cutting off many peoples; you have forfeited your life. 11 For the stone will cry out from the wall, and the beam from the woodwork respond. 12 “Woe to him who builds a town with blood and founds a city on iniquity! 13 Behold, is it not from the LORD of hosts that peoples labor merely for fire, and nations weary themselves for nothing? 14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. 15 “Woe to him who makes his neighbors drink— you pour out your wrath and make them drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness! 16 You will have your fill of shame instead of glory. Drink, yourself, and show your uncircumcision! The cup in the LORD’s right hand will come around to you, and utter shame will come upon your glory! 17 The violence done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, as will the destruction of the beasts that terrified them, for the blood of man and violence to the earth, to cities and all who dwell in them. 18 “What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols! 19 Woe to him who says to a wooden thing, Awake; to a silent stone, Arise! Can this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in it. 20 But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.”

Habakkuk’s Prayer

3 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.

2 O LORD, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O LORD, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy. 3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. 4 His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power. 5 Before him went pestilence, and plague followed at his heels.Hebrew feet‘>6 6 He stood and measured the earth; he looked and shook the nations; then the eternal mountains were scattered; the everlasting hills sank low. His were the everlasting ways. 7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction; the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble. 8 Was your wrath against the rivers, O LORD? Was your anger against the rivers, or your indignation against the sea, when you rode on your horses, on your chariot of salvation? 9 You stripped the sheath from your bow, calling for many arrows.The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain‘>7 Selah You split the earth with rivers. 10 The mountains saw you and writhed; the raging waters swept on; the deep gave forth its voice; it lifted its hands on high. 11 The sun and moon stood still in their place at the light of your arrows as they sped, at the flash of your glittering spear. 12 You marched through the earth in fury; you threshed the nations in anger. 13 You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked, laying him bare from thigh to neck.The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain‘>8 Selah 14 You pierced with his own arrows the heads of his warriors, who came like a whirlwind to scatter me, rejoicing as if to devour the poor in secret. 15 You trampled the sea with your horses, the surging of mighty waters. 16 I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me. Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us.

Habakkuk Rejoices in the Lord

17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 19 GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringedHebrew my stringed‘>9 instruments.

Footnotes

[1] 1:15 That is, the wicked foe [2] 1:16 Hebrew his portion is fat [3] 2:4 Or faithfulness [4] 2:5 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scroll wealth [5] 2:5 The meaning of the Hebrew of these two lines is uncertain [6] 3:5 Hebrew feet [7] 3:9 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [8] 3:13 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [9] 3:19 Hebrew my stringed

(ESV)

New Testament:

John 17

John 17 (Listen)

The High Priestly Prayer

17 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.Or from evil‘>1 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify themGreek Set them apart (for holy service to God)‘>2 in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself,Or I sanctify myself; or I set myself apart (for holy service to God)‘>3 that they also may be sanctifiedGreek may be set apart (for holy service to God)‘>4 in truth.

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Footnotes

[1] 17:15 Or from evil [2] 17:17 Greek Set them apart (for holy service to God) [3] 17:19 Or I sanctify myself; or I set myself apart (for holy service to God) [4] 17:19 Greek may be set apart (for holy service to God)

(ESV)

Psalm:

Psalm 145:14–21

Psalm 145:14–21 (Listen)

14 The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. 16 You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. 17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. 18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. 20 The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. 21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.

(ESV)

Proverb:

Proverbs 30:29–31

Proverbs 30:29–31 (Listen)

29 Three things are stately in their tread; four are stately in their stride: 30 the lion, which is mightiest among beasts and does not turn back before any; 31 the strutting rooster,Or the magpie, or the greyhound; Hebrew girt-of-loins‘>1 the he-goat, and a king whose army is with him.Or against whom there is no rising up‘>2

Footnotes

[1] 30:31 Or the magpie, or the greyhound; Hebrew girt-of-loins [2] 30:31 Or against whom there is no rising up

(ESV)

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childrensbread · 2 years ago

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When Your World Shakes

Habakkuk's Complaint

💜 Habakkuk 1:2, “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but you do not save?”

The Lord's Answer

Habakkuk 1:5, “Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”

Habakkuk's Second Complaint

Habakkuk 1:12, “Are you not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One? We shall not die” (ESV).

The Lord's Answer

Habakkuk 2:2–4, “Then the Lord answered me and said: ‘Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith’” (NKJV).

Habakkuk 2:20, “The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.”

Habakkuk's Prayer

Habakkuk 3:2, “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.”

Habakkuk 3:19, “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” ✝️

Habakkuk offers hope by recognizing how dark and chaotic the world is and inviting us to trust that God will one day remove evil forever.

In today's passage, Habakkuk is crying out to God for an answer to why God’s chosen people are allowed to suffer in their captivity (Habakkuk 1:1–4). Habakkuk then writes a prayer expressing his strong faith in God even through these trials (Habakkuk 3:1–19).

Sometimes it is not evident to us what is going on, especially if we are thrown into suffering for a time or if it seems our enemies are prospering while we are just barely getting by. The Book of Habakkuk affirms that God is sovereign and omnipotent, and He has all things under control. We just need to be still and know He is at work. He is who He says He is and does keep His promises.

He will punish the wicked. Even when we cannot see evidence of His dominion, God is still on the throne of the universe. We need to stay focused on this: “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights” (Habakkuk 3:19).

To “tread on the heights” is a picture of our ability, in the power of God, to rise above the troubles and hindrances of this world and experience victory over our enemies. Sometimes the way before us is full of suffering and sorrow, but, if we trust the Lord, we will come safely to where He wants us to be.

Source: Got questions.org

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fr-martin-gospel-reflections · 3 years ago

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2nd October - ‘Increase our faith’, Reflection on today’s gospel reading (Lk 17:5-10)

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

We can probably all identify with the request of the disciples to Jesus in today’s gospel reading, ‘Increase our faith’. From time to time we can feel that our faith is weak and fragile. In the imagery of the second reading, we sometimes feel that our faith is like a flame that has died back to the embers. In that reading, Paul calls on Timothy to fan into a flame the gift that God gave him, the gift of faith. The trials and tribulations of life can sometimes undermine our faith. When life is a struggle, we wonder where God is. We might find ourselves angry with God, like the prophet Habakkuk in the first reading, who asks, ‘How long, Lord, am I to cry for help while you will not listen, to cry “Oppression” in your ear and you will not save?’ He felt abandoned by God as he struggled to deal with all that was coming at him. Yet, he was very much a person of faith. Disappointment with God, anger at God, is not necessarily a sign that our faith has grown weak. If we can trust God with our angry towards him, it is a sign of faith. Habakkuk’s trusting faith allowed him to have a very honest conversation with God. God values our honesty in prayer.

Very often we have more faith than we think we have. When we look at our faith we see how weak it is. Perhaps when the Lord looks at our faith he sees how strong it is. When the disciples turned to Jesus and said, ‘Increase our faith’, Jesus went on to speak to them about the power of faith that is only the size of a mustard seed, which was considered the smallest seed at the time. It’s as if Jesus was saying to his disciples, ‘Don’t be worried about the size of your faith. Rather, be grateful for whatever faith you have, even if it is only the size of a mustard seed’. Perhaps Jesus is saying to us that when it comes to our relationship with him, he is the primary partner. He is always relating strongly to us, and even if our response to him, our faith, seems very weak and frail to us, he is holding on to us firmly, drawing us powerfully to himself. Even a tiny opening in our hearts is enough for the Lord to work with. At the end of the day, faith is not primarily a human achievement, something we do. It is a gift of God, in the words of the second reading. The Lord is always offering us this gift of faith, the gift of responding to his loving initiative towards us. Even when we are very reluctant to receive this gift, the Lord continues to offer it. When we do receive this gift, as all of us who are present here today have done, then the Lord will do everything possible to fan our faith into a living flame. In the life of faith, we don’t have to rely on ourselves. Again in the words of the second reading, we can rely on the power of God. If ever we feel that our faith is weak, we can simply come before the Lord, like the disciples in the gospel reading, and pray, ‘Lord, increase my faith’. That prayer is itself is a wonderful act of faith, and it is a prayer that will certainly not go unanswered by the Lord.

What was undermining Habakkuk’s faith in that first reading was that God’s vision for Israel, for a land where justice and peace reigned, was not coming to pass. Instead, as the prophet complained, ‘tyranny, outrage and violence, this is all I see’. Our own faith can be undermined when we sense that God’s vision for our world, for our church, for my own life, is not coming to pass. We pray in the Lord’s Prayer, ‘thy kingdom come’, but we sense that God’s kingdom is very slow in coming. We can easily get discouraged that all is as God would want it to be. Yet, in the beatitudes, Jesus declared blessed those who hunger and thirst for what is right for the world, the church, my own life. An essential element of faith is never losing that hunger and thirst for the coming of God’s kingdom, for that vision that Jesus proclaimed and lived by. In response to Habakkuk’s complaint, he sensed God say to him, ‘Write the vision down… since this vision is for its own time only… if it comes slowly, wait, for come it will, without fail’. Faith involves keeping the Lord’s vision alive, even when life is a mystery to us and doesn’t make sense. When we pray, ‘Increase our faith’, we are praying for a faith that keeps hopeful, that keeps trusting that the Lord’s vision will come to pass, in its own time. In the gospel reading, Jesus assures us this kind of faith, even if it is only the size of a mustard seed, can accomplish wonders. The image of the uprooting of a mulberry tree and replanting it in the sea can stand for anything that seems impossible from a merely human perspective. Through our mustard seed of faith, the Lord can accomplish immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine, in the words of Saint Paul.

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kelcikrokks · 7 years ago

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#dailydevotion #jesus Habakkuk 3:16-19 New Living Translation (NLT) 16 I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear. My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror. I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us. 17 #Eventhough the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18 YET I WILL #REJOICEINTHELORD! I will be #JOYFUL in the GOD OF MY #SALVATION! 19 THE SOVEREIGN #LORD IS MY #STRENGTH! He makes me as #SUREFOOTED as a #deer, #ABLE to tread upon the #heights. (For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.) Habakkuk 1:12-13 New Living Translation (NLT) Habakkuk’s Second Complaint 12 O Lord my God, my Holy One, you who are #eternal— surely you do not plan to wipe us out? O Lord, our Rock, you have sent these Babylonians to correct us, to punish us for our many sins. 13 But you are pure and cannot stand the sight of evil. Will you wink at their treachery? Should you be silent while the wicked swallow up people more righteous than they? Habakkuk 2:3 New Living Translation (NLT) 3 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! Isaiah 40:31 New Living Translation (NLT) 31 But those who #TRUSTintheLord will find #NEWSTRENGTH. THEY WILL SOAR HIGH on WINGS like #EAGLES. THEY WILL #RUN and NOT grow weary. THEY WILL #WALK and NOT faint. https://www.instagram.com/p/BnPqvnIl_Wz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1q8kzqgcqyoey

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mybeautifulchristianjourney · 1 year ago

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Habakkuk Complains of Injustice

1 This is the message that the LORD revealed to the prophet Habakkuk.

2 O LORD, how long must I call for help before you listen, before you save us from violence? 3 Why do you make me see such trouble? How can you stand to look on such wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are all around me, and there is fighting and quarreling everywhere. 4 The law is weak and useless, and justice is never done. Evil people get the better of the righteous, and so justice is perverted.

The LORD's Reply

5 Then the LORD said to his people, “Keep watching the nations around you, and you will be astonished at what you see. I am going to do something that you will not believe when you hear about it. 6 I am bringing the Babylonians to power, those fierce, restless people. They are marching out across the world to conquer other lands. 7 They spread fear and terror, and in their pride they are a law to themselves.

8 “Their horses are faster than leopards, fiercer than hungry wolves. Their cavalry troops come riding from distant lands; their horses paw the ground. They come swooping down like eagles attacking their prey.

9 “Their armies advance in violent conquest, and everyone is terrified as they approach.+ Their captives are as numerous as grains of sand. 10 They treat kings with contempt and laugh at high officials. No fortress can stop them—they pile up earth against it and capture it. 11 Then they sweep on like the wind and are gone, these men whose power is their god.”

Habakkuk Complains to the LORD Again

12 LORD, from the very beginning you are God. You are my God, holy and eternal. LORD, my God and protector, you have chosen the Babylonians and made them strong so that they can punish us. 13 But how can you stand these treacherous, evil men? Your eyes are too holy to look at evil, and you cannot stand the sight of people doing wrong. So why are you silent while they destroy people who are more righteous than they are?

14 How can you treat people like fish or like a swarm of insects that have no ruler to direct them? 15 The Babylonians catch people with hooks, as though they were fish. They drag them off in nets and shout for joy over their catch! 16 They even worship their nets and offer sacrifices to them, because their nets provide them with the best of everything.

17 Are they going to use their swords forever and keep on destroying nations without mercy? — Habakkuk 1 | Good News Translation (GNT) Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 21:33; Deuteronomy 32:4; 2 Kings 12:17; 2 Kings 24:2; 2 Chronicles 36:6; 2 Chronicles 36:10; Job 9:26; Job 19:7; Job 21:7; Psalm 10:9; Psalm 13:1-2; Psalm 22:12; Psalm 22:29; Psalm 55:9; Psalm 58:1-2; Isaiah 13:1; Isaiah 14:5-6; Isaiah 18:2; Isaiah 18:7; Isaiah 19:8; Isaiah 29:9; Jeremiah 2:3; Jeremiah 4:11-12; Jeremiah 15:10; Jeremiah 16:16; Jeremiah 23:33; Jeremiah 44:8; Daniel 11:17; Matthew 13:19; Matthew 24:28; Acts 13:41

Habakkuk 1 Commentary - John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

#Habakkuk's complaint #the Lord's response #Habakkuk's second complaint #Habakkuk 1 #Book of Habakkuk #Old Testament #GNT #Good News Translation #Holy Bible #American Bible Society

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simplyaservant · 5 years ago

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Habakkuk: Wrestling with God

Among the shortest, least read and even less spoke of books of the old Testament is a book called Habakkuk. Nestled in between the book of Nahum and Zephaniah, two more old testament books I am sure no one has heard of, lies Habakkuk. Despite its unknown nature, Habakkuk confronts one of the universal questions of humanity: If God is a loving God, why does God allow bad things to happen?

As Christians, we are aware of the nature of God. He is Jehovah-Jireh, our provider; Jehovah Nisei, victory; Jehovah Shalom, The price of peace. He is our savior, healer, provider, defender, the prince of peace and lord of lords—the God who sees us. However, there are times in our life where his healing power and peace seem to be absent. We know the nature of God to be true and eternally unchanging, yet in our times of desperation it becomes difficult to reconcile our belief in who God is and what we perceive in our present situation.

It is in times like this that questions arise. If God is a healer, why is there death and disease? If he is a savior and way maker, why do the pews remain empty? Chain breaker, yet many of us still are weighed down by addictions we can't break and a past we can’t escape. We are left without an answer, so we blame ourselves. It must be our fault—we lack the faith and prayer necessary to make God move. Many times, this may be true, God does desire for us to call out to him and draw closer before moving; however, sometimes God simply does not move in the way we desire because it is not the right timing (or not his will). His divine, for whatever reason we cannot comprehend, includes pain and suffering.

The story of Habakkuk is one of a broken man, carrying the weight of not only his fate but the fate of a nation. Habakkuk was a prophet, and much like all the other old testament prophets he had one job: Listen to God complain about Israel’s sin and how he’d punish them if they didn’t shape up (spoiler alert: they didn’t shape up).

When Habakkuk was told by God that the Chaldeans—A people who were more unholy than the idolatrous Israel—were going to ravage the city and leave it in ruin, he was left in agony. How could a holy just God, allow this evil to prevail? Hadn’t God promised this land to Israel? How could war and desolation be God’s will for Israel’s life?

Often, I find myself asking similar questions. Where is God in the midst of the chaos of life? Why have the friends and family I’ve prayed for for years not turned to God? The Lord promised revival, but where are the 600 souls that are meant to fill the empty alter space? Why does my mother still have cancer when we were told that she was going to be cancer free? Why does her best friend—a steadfast Godly woman who remained in church despite adversity—have stage 4 cancer, and how is this going to bring the family to God? Why am I more lost than ever before? Why didn’t it work out, did I mess up—am I forgiven? Does God hear me? How long, oh lord will you stay silent while my life is crumbling before me? Why when I am trying to do my best for you, am I plagued with fear, faced with temptation and dragged down by past failures I can’t escape.

The way in which Habakkuk approached his questions has given me direction in moments of uncertainty. The prophet initiated his conversation based on his distress about God’s “inaction” in the world. He wanted to see God do something more, particularly in the area of justice for evildoers. The book of Habakkuk pictures a frustrated prophet, much like Jonah. Both men wanted God to punish sin and demonstrate divine justice. When they did not see evidence of God’s justice, they took their complains to God. However, when God did not grant them the answers they desired, Habakkuk channeled his frustration into prayers and eventually praise to God, rather than trying to run from the Lord as Jonah did.

(Regression: So often, when we have an issue with God, we go everywhere except to him. I know that I’ll find myself talking to myself and friends about how lost I am and cannot hear God, and completely leave my complaints out of the few prayers In the midst of the uncertainty of life, we have to trust that God is working for our good. Even when we don’t see it, he is working.)

When doubt and confusion arose, Habakkuk cried out unto the lord. He turned to God, not his own understanding and waited for God to speak back to him. Habakkuk addressed his concerns on Gods use of the Babylonian empire to execute judgement on Israel. He openly questions the wisdom of God, and God withhold the answer to his question. Rather than answering his question, God gave Habakkuk a promise of a savior.

The lord told Habakkuk to write the vision down and make it clear for all to see, for the vison was for an appointed time. God did not disregard the chaos that was to come to Israel, nor did he calm the storm raging at that present time. What he did do was provide Habakkuk with a vision for the people of God in order to provide encouragement for the future. The revelation, the vision that Habakkuk received from God, was that the Messiah, Jesus Christ would come and solve the problems Habakkuk worried about—bring salvation, justice and mercy to the world.

Habakkuk’s prayer was not answered in his lifetime. He watched Israel fall into desolation at the hand of the Chaldeans/Babylonians. Israel was not released from their captivity for over 70 years. Yet, the last verses he penned were not those of great sorrow, but of joy—not in his circumstances, but in his Lord. While he was unable to find joy in his circumstances and the storms ahead, he rejoiced in the unchanging nature of God.

He wrote, “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines...Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the lord of my salvation. The lord God is my strength...and he will make me to walk upon my high places” Hab. 3:17-19.

When plagued by doubts and uncertainty, we must turn to God and remind ourselves of the things we know to be true through continual prayer and clinging to biblical truths. While it may be difficult to do, we must bring our questions to God and wait on him. As my youth pastor always says, God never intended for our questions to push us away. God intends to use our questions to grow our faith from one of perplexity and doubt to the height of our faith where we have absolute trust in God, regardless of any answers we may receive (or not receive). A deeper understanding of God is gained through intimacy with him.

Sometimes what we pray for, and what God desires to happen in our lives don’t coincide. We pray for peace and he sends a storm; revelation and then suddenly we can’t hear anything at all; direction and we get lost. Yet even when all outward evidence points to the contrary, the church is called to trust in the Lord. This trust is based not on what we see, but on who God is. Gods character is revealed through Jesus Christ, in whom divine wrath and divine mercy met when he died on the cross as our savior. God calls all people to put their trust in him, for “the just shall live by faith” (Hab. 2:4).

What we think we need and what we truly need are often different in heavens eyes. If God is not revealing a certain side of himself in your life, it does not mean that part of him is absent, it just means that he wishes to reveal a different and deeper side of himself in that season. His way is higher than our ways…

Even if God is not healing, he is still the healer.

When family isn’t saved, he is still the savior.

When the bills aren’t paid, he is still a provider.

When you are troubled, he is the prince of peace.

When your life is falling apart, he still has the whole world in his hands.

Just because you cannot see him working in the way you desire, does not mean that he is not there. He is still God of all, no matter what.

The visions God gives you can help you survive the darkest parts of your life. Habakkuk was given a promise of redemption, but also of destruction. While the vision may be one of promise and pain, as it was in Habakkuk’s case, they are meant to sustain you. As you are in pursuit of the promises of God, you can look to the vision while running and receive strength. While everyone’s visions may be different, we all can take the words of Habakkuk and know that the vision is for an appointed time. The visions that God gives you are not false because they have not happened, they are for an appointed season in your life.

While the fruits of your labor may not be evident in this season—all the leaves withered without the slightest sight of rain—you must cling to the promise. Your season will change. The promise is not dead, the vision is not a lie, It is just for a different time. God has things working behind the scenes.

The vision is not a lie, it is just for a different time.

It goes without saying that God does not take pleasure in out pain. However, pain is a necessary, while unpleasant, part of life. Pain is a catalyst in life triggers a level of dependence and faith in God not achieved otherwise. Pain allows individuals to grow and develop at exponential rates and see visions, receive revelations and acquire wisdom in ways they would not have been able to do otherwise. As frustrating as it is to hear when you are in a storm, God does have a purpose for the pain—even if we will never know what it is.

The name Habakkuk means to wrestle and embrace. Despite the book being only three chapters long, we see Habakkuk go through three separate seasons in his life. In the first chapter we see him wresting with his question and bringing his concerns to God, then in the second chapter he stands and waits on the lord to give him understanding. Once he gives the matter to God, God gives him a vision that helps sustain him though the storm. Finally in the third chapter, Habakkuk embraces God’s word and has faith in the future, despite his current circumstances.

You see, at different times in our life we will wrestle with tough questions but eventually have to embrace God and trust in him despite the questions we still have. Sometimes, we don’t not get the closure and answers we desire. The family member dies, the relationship ends, the job doesn’t work out. The prayer goes unanswered. That is when the peace of God comes in in. We may never understand, but we must believe that he is still in control. We may never understand, but must trust that God is still God. Even when life has its toll on us, it does not change who God is. No matter what, he is still worthy of all the glory, all the honor and all the praise.

#bible study #Vision=Victory

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solomonherald · 5 years ago

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Speech by Honorable Wale, Leader of Opposition

By Hon. Matthew Wale Leader of Opposition Awii Mr. Speaker for the opportunity to speak to the motion moved by the Hon. Prime Minister. This motion is born of uncertain times and circumstances. I would therefore seek your indulgence to read from the Bible to help us see who we are and understand from where our help comes, in times such as these. Habakkuk 1:2-4 The prophet complains, “How long, O Lord?” in the face of the long and slow destruction of God’s people by an evil Babylon. The prophet could not accept how God would allow an evil empire to punish and destroy His own chosen people. The Babylonians destroyed their enemies by laying very long sieges against their cities to cut off food supply lines. The suffering and hunger imposed by the sieges were slow and long. 1:5-11 God responds by saying Yes my people have become wicked and I am raising the Babylonians to destroy them. 1:12-2:1 The prophet felt a sense of injustice that God would use a wicked people, the Babylonians, to punish the backslidden people of God. He raised this as his second complaint 2:2-20 God responds to the prophet’s second complaint by saying Babylon will also be punished at the right time. The hand of justice will destroy the evil and rescue the righteous who live by faith (2:4). God’s word to his people in Habakkuk is ‘In uncertain, trying and unprecedented times, live by faith’. Trust God in the toughest of times, in days of looming trouble. What does it mean to live by faith in the face of the suffering effected by the coronavirus? We can be sure that there is nothing that happens in this world by chance, nothing that happens apart from God’s will and purpose for his world. It is hard for the human mind to understand this, and can often lead to bitterness toward God. However, like the prophet Habakkuk, this must lead us trust in God’s perfect and righteous justice. God is not idle, and we can trust Him. However slow and painful the suffering will be, Habakkuk summons us to quiet trusting patience. 3:16 & 18 Habakkuk expressed His trust in God’s perfect timing saying in V.16 “Yet will I wait for the day…”, and in V18 “Yet will I rejoice in the Lord...” Habakkuk’s “Yet will I…” responses were statements of faith and trust in God’s perfect timing and righteous justice. 3:17-18 “Though the fig tree does not blossom, nor there be fruit on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” The prophet Habakkuk is saying in the face of economic ruin – incomes lost, livelihoods destroyed, uncertain food supply, uncertain health outcomes – his joy remains in the God of his salvation – not in those temporal things. The coronavirus has been described as a great equalizer – that is, it has no respect for whether a person is rich or poor, educated or illiterate. Its impact on all persons is the same. In the face of this coronavirus, man cannot put his hope in his possessions and or his passions. Let us humble ourselves and return to the God of our salvation. Let us put our total trust in Him, and find our true joy in Him. When we live by faith and trust in God – it is not a blind faith. We must still practice social distancing, no face-touching, regular hand washing and personal hygiene and follow the advice of the experts who God has given knowledge and wisdom to, to help us face this global pandemic. Let me now turn to the motion itself and make a few brief observations. We are thankful that to date we are among a very few countries in the world who are yet to record any case of coronavirus infection. I must congratulate the government for responding to the call to act early and place the country on heightened alert against the global pandemic. We must all accept that in such unprecedented times such as this some mistakes will be made in our efforts. However, we must have the humility to learn quickly and adapt to changing situations. Let me also express my gratitude to those who serve on the frontline of our efforts to respond to the pandemic. All of Solomon Islands owe them a debt of gratitude. They must be recognized for their service and efforts. However, I would like to say to the Prime Minister, it is important at the outset that any reward or incentives for those working on the frontline in this pandemic be agreed and set now – rather than wait for the claims after, as has been the practice from other past events that led to exaggerated claims. States of public emergencies are usually situations that a country has already found itself in. In this case, we are yet to record a positive case of Covid-19. However, the exponential growth and fast spread of the coronavirus throughout the world present the situation that as part of the global village we are not immune from. We must take the steps that are necessary to protect our people against this pandemic. In many ways the entire world is in a state of emergency, and we are no exception. Our laws are made for the normal functioning of society, the economy and government in ordinary times. There are very few laws that exist to guide our efforts and responses in states of public emergencies. In Solomon Islands, the Constitution provides for it, and the Emergency Powers Act is an attempt to regulate government actions during an emergency. However, this Act may not be adequate. There is a need for government, at the appropriate time, to reflect on these experiences and ensure that our laws are updated to provide adequate and clear powers and mechanisms to guide our efforts and responses in an emergency. As we can see with other countries, the covid-19 pandemic has closed down education systems, forced economies into hibernation, citizens into self-isolation, disrupted food supplies, and overwhelmed healthcare systems. A health pandemic has become the source of a national security crisis for many countries, including the world and middle powers. We are no different. This pandemic has exposed inadequacies in various countries’ laws and capacities to respond effectively. A country’s speed and effectiveness to marshal resources and reallocate them to where they are needed most in a crisis may be the critical success factor in how that country protects its people and assures its national security. The enabling environment for such speed and effectiveness must include a robust legal framework, flexible administrative mechanisms, removal of red tape that may otherwise be necessary in normal times, stocks of strategic reserves, sound policy advice based on science, consistent clear simple messaging and effective communication to the people, political will, and clear headed leadership. As in other countries, we see our nakedness clearly in the face of this pandemic. We must plan for, procure and store equipment and items that would be needed to protect our frontline professionals and citizens in an epidemic or a pandemic. Our total reliance on donations from outside makes us even more vulnerable than we would be. In the face of the pandemic, we see countries are prioritizing their domestic needs and banning exports. This too is an important lesson to learn. Our hand to mouth fiscal situation must not be an excuse for the lack of planning for strategic stores of items that would be necessary in an emergency. In emergencies, decision-making must not be compromised by political calculations nor by any other calculation that might sacrifice the health safety of our people. We would do well to reflect on these and see if there is room for improvement going forward. In this state of public emergency, and because of its overwhelming cross-cutting nature, all other policy considerations and priorities must be set aside. I pointed this out in the recent debate on the address from the throne. Government’s primary focus must solely be on protecting the health safety of our people, and ensuring our national security. Anything that does not help government to achieve those two objectives must be set aside for the time being. The address from the throne outlined government priorities for 2020, at a time when the world was being overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic. That address was almost oblivious to the unfolding global pandemic. As we now see, the pandemic, as it has done elsewhere, dictates what becomes priority. And this is as of necessity. The declaration of a state of public emergency by His Excellency on the 25th March 2020 describes the bases for the declaration being the declarations by the WHO regarding the Covid-19 pandemic and its spread throughout the world. His Excellency’s declaration of a state of public emergency also sets the parameters or boundaries of all regulations and decisions made, and actions taken in the emergency period to be for the preservation of public security and as measures necessary to stop the importation into and or the spread of covid-19 in Solomon Islands. Any regulations, decisions and or actions taken that do not preserve public security or are not necessary to the protection from importation into and the spread of covid-19 in Solomon Islands would be outside the scope of the emergency declaration under section 16 of the constitution. Such regulations, decisions and or actions, to the extent they do not relate to those two policy objectives, would be abuse of the declaration of the state of public emergency. Solomon Islands is still a democracy even in a state of emergency. All who exercise emergency powers must do so guided by the democratic values and ideals we hold dear. It is unfortunate that the constitution does not explicitly provide for an oversight mechanism for a period of the state of emergency. However, there is nothing preventing the Bills and Legislation committee from exercising parliamentary oversight over regulation making during the state of emergency, if it so wishes. I would encourage the Bills committee to explore if this will be feasible during the emergency. Of course, in an emergency situation oversight must not be obtrusive. It must not impede the speed and effectiveness of government responses in the emergency. I suppose we will have to rely on His Excellency to exercise some oversight on the use of emergency powers. I wish to acknowledge and appreciate the donations offered by our donor partners, at a time when their own countries are bearing the brunt of the effects of covid-19. This is a global pandemic and we will benefit from the experience of other countries. Instruments: State of public emergency declaration by His Excellency 25th March 2020 under the Constitution S.16 (2). Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations 2020 published 26th March 2020, under the Emergency Powers Act Public service Circular Memorandum No.03/2020 dated 31st March 2020 If the coronavirus is not in Solomon Islands: Ban all international flights into the country, except for cargo and samples for tests (until testing can be done in-country). Regular tests for air crew who will be in isolation whilst in country and baggage handlers at Henderson.Appropriate isolation/quarantine for incoming international shipping freighters.Economy needs to keep functioning to provide jobs and incomes for families. However, the PM’s hope that donor funded projects be brought forward may not be feasible, as it would involve mobility of labour. Further, it is important to note that the spread of the coronavirus from China to other countries followed Chinese workers returning to those countries to work. We must learn from that experience. The Pacific games construction project may be affected by this, if it will require Chinese workers. Government must not take the risk of importing covid-19 through foreign workers. Our national security and public health safety cannot be compromised even for the Pacific games. Some preemptive planning must now commence to consider postponement of the games.Public service needs to keep operating to provide support services to the private sector to keep the economy functioning. The Public Service Memo dated 31st March 2020 should be withdrawn.Ban on flights may only be lifted once source/destination cities/countries have demonstrated sustained reductions in the number of coronavirus infections. In such an event, all travelers into the country must:obtain medical report confirming lack of covid-19 infection within 4 days prior to travel, andbe quarantined on arrival for 14 daysAll Solomon Islands citizens abroad, including students, wishing to return must comply with 4 above. SIG to pay for tests for its sponsored students.Quarantine facilities must be fit for purpose to not become fertile ground for the spreading of the coronavirus.Conversely, the government could enter into dialogue with Australia to beg that Solomon Islands students be quarantined in their detention facilities on Christmas Island. This would work for our students in Philippines, if a decision was taken to evacuate them.All citizens with no jobs or business interests in Honiara to be urged to leave for their villages. Ideally, all these should be tested for covid-19 to ensure the virus is not unwittingly spread to the provinces.Close and police the border with Bougainville.Set up lab to conduct all tests in-country.Procure new test kits recently approved by the US FDA that takes 2 mins to get results. When first case is recorded in Solomon Islands: Maintain ban on all international flightsImmediate lock down of Honiara for 14 daysBan all domestic travel to/from HoniaraRigorous exhaustive contact tracingStrict social distancing rules promulgated; group size to be at 2.100% testing of suspected cases. Adequate supply of test kits.Isolation of suspected cases. Random checks on persons in isolation to ensure compliance.Hospitalization of positive cases away from general public and away from NRHThree field clinics set up to do tests in East, Central and West HoniaraMulti-purpose hall converted to field hospital for covid-19 casesAdequate supply of PPE for health professionals. PPE must be independently proven to work. Payment of incentives to frontline health professionals Better coordination of procurement of medical equipment and supplies in the face of fast dwindling global supplies New grave yard for Honiara Strict regulations for burial of covid-19 victims. Legal Issues: Clarification on Emergency Powers (Covid-19) Regulations 2020 – Regulation 21 – whether 72 hours is unreasonable; 26(1) Gag on public officers – it is important that public officers on the frontline are free to speak on issues they face. Any bottleneck in the chain of command and equipment supply may result in deaths of frontline officers. The government has asked them to put their lives on the line, and the government must not silence them from speaking out if they see problems that ought to be addressed or areas for improvement. Government should not see such speech as contradictory or inflammatory. This part of the regulation ought to be amended to separate frontline workers from the general cadre of public officers. Their freedom to speak may save lives.Power to ban access to media – we know social media is majority fake news. Worse, there are some who perpetuate fake news with malicious intent. And given the emergency, the consequences may be tragic. However, I would caution the Prime Minister to weigh carefully the advantages and disadvantages from a ban to media access in any particular situation. In this emergency, safety is primary and must weigh more heavily than other considerations. However, the benefits of ongoing media access to citizens in an emergency may be in itself a lifeline to knowing what to do in certain situations and accessing help.Although not provided for in the constitution or the Emergency Powers Act – unobtrusive oversight of the exercise of emergency powers should be exercised by the Parliamentary Bills & Legislation Committee, on behalf of Parliament. Economic issues: Macro: International trade in the main commodities exported by Solomon Islands are severely curtailed. Commodity prices are expected to remain relatively low on the back of weak demand from the manufacturing slowdown in China. The length of time for demand to pick up again is uncertain, perhaps as long as six to ten months.Imports of food and essential items will continue, but expect a weakening demand of non-essential items.World price for oil has dropped to its lowest level in the last 18 years.Government revenues expected to fall significantlyGovernment borrowing may increase to fund the emergency costsGovernment budget to be reprioritizedGovernment to urge banks to grant loan repayment holidays, at the very least, and to consider reducing lending interest rates.Need economy to keep functioning to keep as many jobs as possibleGovernment must address the need for a stimulus package.SIEA should be required by the Prime Minister to immediately suspend disconnections, and reduce tariffs by at least 30% for 3 monthsSIWA should immediately suspend disconnectionsClear, simple messaging from government in simple PijinFood security is paramount. Vietnam has closed exports. 90% of rice is imported from Vietnam. Rice should be rationed, if insufficient stock levels.Supply of local food produce may need to be nationalized, & distribution coordinated. Food prices to be kept very low or subsidized. Confinement and hard economic situations may lead to domestic abuse. Appropriate agencies dealing with this matter need to be adequately resourced to respond to domestic & gender based violence. Clear consistent messaging to prevent domestic & gender based violence will be important. Isolation rules will need to take into account the need for victims of domestic and gender based violence to move away from their abusers to safety. It is useful to parliament, as it is to the country, to hear the government’s planning going forward into the period of the state of public emergency. If we succeed at keeping the covid-19 from entering Solomon Islands, how long will international flights remain banned? What conditions would have to be met to see public service recalled? All individuals must take primary responsibility for social distancing, hand washing and not touching their faces. As in many other countries, social distancing is not in our nature or culture. There is need for consistent messaging in clear simple Pijin to ensure it becomes second nature to our people. Funerals in particular, with its cultural implications, represent potential super spreaders when we get the coronavirus. Government must now develop regulations to appropriately regulate how corpses and funerals are handled. Government must take the steps necessary to assure food supply to emergency zones and to regulate distribution and access to food. The closing down of satellite vegetable markets may make the central market a super spreader in the event we get the coronavirus. As we would expect city residents to travel by bus to the central market, with the risks involved in that. Government must bear responsibility for coordinating food supply, distribution in the emergency zone in the event of a lockdown. We live in uncertain times. There is no cure for or vaccine against covid-19 yet. There is much that the scientists still do not know about covid-19. But this must not lead us to fear. It must lead us to our God, who is our loving Father in heaven. Let me conclude by reading from Psalms 121: “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” And again, Psalms 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Awii Mr. Speaker, and I support the motion. Read the full article

#MathewWale #OppositionLeader

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beamkirk-blog · 6 years ago

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We are approaching the end of the liturgical year and will be reflecting on quite a few passages that are warnings to clean up our act in preparation for the second coming. This passage from Habakkuk is a complaint about those who are unjust and a desire for them to be punished. If we think about it, we probably complain to God about the same thing. Maybe we don’t complain about countries as much as about individuals, but we complain. We like the phrase, "What goes around, comes around!" But sometimes we get impatient for it to "come around!" There’s a very good reason why greed is one of the seven deadly sins. Greed can lead to many other problems. The greedy person may turn to theft to satisfy their need, whether it’s shoplifting or embezzlement, the end result is the same. It can also lead to extortion as mentioned in the passage. Greedy landlords who refuse to spend money to bring their property up to code. Business owners who would rather pay their employees under the table at reduced wages to save money on both the wages and the benefits. Others who gobble up small businesses and fire the employees are often the same people who claim that we pay too much in unemployment benefits! Why is it that those who earn the most complain the most about paying taxes? As I said, we also wonder when the greedy will be punished for their sins. We need to take a good look at ourselves as well. Is there a bit of the same greed in us? Have you ever looked at the piece of pie served to you and your neighbor and thought that yours was smaller??? As we count down these last few weeks, let’s reexamine ourselves so that we can root out our faults. Prayer: Loving and forgiving God, you want all your people to be happy. Help us to understand that it is you that fulfills us and brings us more happiness than all the things of the world. Amen. https://www.instagram.com/p/B44rXcOA_wkdr3iT_7Wg_6ua_uO8oqPM2HK9v80/?igshid=zf3hpsu7sfz7

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dailybiblelessons · 6 years ago

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Wednesday: Reflection on the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Revised Common Lectionary Proper 26 Roman Catholic Proper 31

Complementary Hebrew Scripture Lesson from The Twelve Prophets: Amos 5:12-24

For I know how many are your transgressions, and how great are your sins— you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and push aside the needy in the gate. Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time; for it is an evil time.

Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, just as you have said. Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord: In all the squares there shall be wailing; and in all the streets they shall say, “Alas! alas!” They shall call the farmers to mourning, and those skilled in lamentation, to wailing; in all the vineyards there shall be wailing, for I will pass through the midst of you, says the Lord.

Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord! Why do you want the day of the Lord? It is darkness, not light; as if someone fled from a lion, and was met by a bear; or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall, and was bitten by a snake. Is not the day of the Lord darkness, not light, and gloom with no brightness in it?

I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt-offerings and grain-offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon. Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Semi-continuous Hebrew Scripture Lesson from The Twelve Prophets: Habakkuk 3:17-19

Though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit is on the vines; though the produce of the olive fails and the fields yield no food; though the flock is cut off from the fold and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and makes me tread upon the heights.

Complementary Psalm 50

The mighty one, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.

Our God comes and does not keep silence, before him is a devouring fire, and a mighty tempest all around him. He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people: “Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!” The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge.

“Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God. Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me. I will not accept a bull from your house, or goats from your folds. “For every wild animal of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the air, and all that moves in the field is mine.

“If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and all that is in it is mine. Do I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High.¹ “Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to recite my statutes, or take my covenant on your lips? For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you. You make friends with a thief when you see one, and you keep company with adulterers.

“You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your kin; you slander your own mother's child. These things you have done and I have been silent; you thought that I was one just like yourself. But now I rebuke you, and lay the charge before you.

“Mark this, then, you who forget God, or I will tear you apart, and there will be no one to deliver. Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor me; to those who go the right way I will show the salvation of God.”¹

¹Hebrews 13:15 repeats this thought in a passage about service well-pleasing to God.

Semi-continuous Psalm 142

With my voice I cry to the Lord; with my voice I make supplication to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him. When my spirit is faint, you know my way. In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. Look on my right hand and see— there is no one who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for me.

I cry to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” Give heed to my cry, for I am brought very low.

Save me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. Bring me out of prison, so that I may give thanks to your name. The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.

New Testament Gospel Lesson: Luke 19:11-27

There is a parallel passage at Matthew 25:14-30.

As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. So he said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, ‘Do business with these until I come back.’ But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’ When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, ‘Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.’ He said to him, ‘Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.’ Then the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your pound has made five pounds.’ He said to him, ‘And you, rule over five cities.’ Then the other came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ He said to him, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.’ He said to the bystanders, ‘Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’ (And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten pounds!’) ‘I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.’”

Year C Ordinary 31, RCL Proper 26, Catholic Proper 31: Wednesday

Bible verses from The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All right reserved. Selections from Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright 1985 by the Consultation on Common Texts. Image Credit: A Woodcut from Historiae celebriores Veteris Testamenti Iconibus representatae by an unknown artist. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons. This image was cropped by Michael Gilbertson to delete Latin text.

#C Ordinary 31 Wednesday #parable of the ten minas #justice #righteousness #festivals #food #rejoicing #salvation

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dailyaudiobible · 7 years ago

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04/25/2018 DAB Transcript

Judges 4:1-5:31, Luke 22:35-54, Psalms 94:1-23, Proverbs 14:3-4

Today is the 25th day of April. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian and it is wonderful to be here with you today as we kind of move through the center of another of our weeks together. We’ve been reading from the God's word translation this week and where learning about the judges who held great influence over the leadership of the children of Israel after Joshua died. So, today we’ll read Judges, chapters 4 and 5.

Prayer:

Father, we thank You for Your word, for another day to take a step forward in Your word. We thank You for the way that Your word speaks to our lives each and every day. Just like what we see in the Psalms, my feet are slipping. We’ve seen that so many times but Your mercy Lord continues to hold me up. When I was worried about many things You're assuring words soothed my soul. And we’re so grateful for that. And it's so seamlessly connects to what we began to practice yesterday to declare Your mercy in the morning. Your mercy continues to hold us up. And we declare Your faithfulness in the evening. When I worried about many things You're assuring words soothed my soul. So, we continue this practice Lord. Your mercy is never-ending, Your faithfulness is beyond comprehension. And all we have to do is become aware. And, so, we do. Come, Holy Spirit, plant these things in our lives and allow them to minister to us throughout our days. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com, it’s home base, it’s the website, it’s where you find out what’s going on around here in the community around the global campfire. So, be sure to check it out.

Visit the prayer wall. Pray for some people. Maybe you have some things that you want prayer over. That's a good place to connect. Go into the community section of find out all the different social media channels that we’re on. Find community that way. Get into the conversation. Check out the resources that are available for this journey through the Bible in a year in the Daily Audio Bible shop.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, you can do that at dailyaudiobible.com as well. There's a link on the homepage. Thank you. If we don't partner together in this endeavor to bring the spoken word of God to anyone who will listen to it any time of day or night anywhere on this planet's and to keep it read fresh every day, if we don't partner together to do this then it can’t be done. It's always been this way. So, thank you for your partnership. If you’re using the Daily Audio Bible app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or, if you prefer, the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or comment, 877-942-4253 is the number to dial.

And that's it for today. I'm Brian I love you and I'll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Good afternoon Daily Audio Bible. This is Beth from Delaware and I’m calling to ask your help and support in praying for some dear friends who are dealing with some very serious issues, such as, you know, they had cancer and it’s come back, gallbladder issues, prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, and breast cancer. So, at this time if you could just keep in prayer Susan, Diane, Donna, and Alan, who are all dealing with cancer. Lord, we just thank You that You are the great healer Lord and we ask that You would continue to heal these dear people and bring them closer to You as they see and witness Your healing Lord. We pray that You would give them peace and the doctors wisdom. Lord we sing Your promises, that You are the great healer. And, quoting from the Bible, it says ‘and the prayers offered in faith will make the sick person well. The Lord will raise them up as they have sinned and they will be forgiven.’ James 5:15. And Lord we especially pray that their sins are forgiven, that their relationship with You would be healed as well as their physical illness, that their sins will be removed and their relationship with You will be deepened and opened, as the case is for some who don’t quite know You yet Lord. Thank you, prayer warriors from Daily Audio Bible. I do appreciate this and I know the Lord has called us all to His honor in lifting others up. Just thank you for praying for Donna, Susan, Diane, and my brother Alan. Thank you, thank you, thank you. God bless you all. Beth.

Hi this is Tracy from Baltimore. I am a long-time listener, but I don’t call in nearly as much as I used to. I just want to take a moment though to call in for anonymous. She called in on April the 16th and I just wanted to say God bless you anonymous. I must admit, you called in about your marriage, and I must admit, I chuckled, you have been married 20 some odd years and you just had confessed that you are tired of your husband. I too have been married for 25 years and I swear I quit my husband, maybe three times a day. I literally cry out to God and say, I cannot take it anymore, I can’t be with this man anymore, I don’t want it. So, I had to chuckle when I heard your message because I absolutely feel and understand exactly where you are. But I just wanted you to know that I am praying for you and I wanted to point out to you that, in 20 some odd years of marriage I know that you have gone before God before in regards to your husband and I will almost bet dollars to donuts that every time God saw it through, He changed your husband or He changed you or changed the situation. And, so, that’s what I hold onto at this point. Every time I feel like I can’t go on anymore I am reminded that God helped my marriage in the past. And, so, I know that He can do it again. Because every relationship needs a hero, and you might need to be the hero in this relationship. I just…I love you anonymous. Thank you for calling in. You made us all feel like we were not alone. God bless you and I am praying for you.

Hello everyone. This is BTD, Brian the Truck Driver. I’ve been listening for about four years. This is my first time calling. And I’m calling mainly because I have heard all the phone calls from all of those that are struggling in their marriages. And, so, I have something I’d like to share. And I think everyone can get something out of this, not just people who are married or marriages that are doing well. This is a message, I think, that everyone can get something out of. But I know how easy it is to get caught up in the pain of dealing with all of the frustration and the hurt and everything that goes on in a marriage that’s struggling. I know this because after 28 years of marriage, my wife and I are in a season right now where we are struggling and it’s the most difficult season that we’ve had. And, so, I do understand this. And, so, I just want to say this. We are told in the Bible that the wages of sin is death. And so, if it wasn’t for what Jesus did for us on the cross we would all be dead. And, so, because of that, because Jesus went to that cross and He took our place and we have life, every day, no matter what the day brings, every day is a gift. And not only that, but when you have someone in your life like a spouse, that person is a gift. And we have the opportunity to partner with God and help God in growing this person into what God intended for them to be. And, so, we get to be a blessing to them and we get to watch them grow. And, so, every day is a gift. And every day with our spouse is a gift for us to be able to…

Hello Daily Audio Bible family. This is John calling from Bethlehem Pennsylvania. It has been a while since I’ve called in but I want you to know that I am here. I am listening to the program daily. Thank you Brian, Jill, China, Hardin family for all you do. Thank you Sarah Jane in the background, Sarah Evans for all the transcription work that you do. You are my partner in crime and I’m blessed to have you. So, thank you so much. Family, I wanted to call in today to provide a word or two of encouragement to you if I could. You know, the promises that God has for all of us are real. And I hear the prayers of so many people call in that are depressed, anxious, and living in fear over so many different things. And my heart, my heart goes out to you. And I want you to know that you are going to accomplish your dreams, that the right people are in your future, that the right opportunities are headed your way, that blessings are chasing you down, that you are the head and not the tail, that you are going to lend and not borrow, that you have a great personality, that you are well-liked, that you’re fun to be around, that you enjoy your life, that you have a positive outlook, that you are going to overcome every obstacle, that you’re going outlast every adversity, that things have shifted in your favor, and what was meant to harm you God is using to your advantage. Folks your future is bright. Your children are mighty in the land. Your legacy will live on to inspire future generations. Folks, I speak this over you. I love you with all my heart. I hear you. I’m praying for you. These are the things that I’m praying over you each and every day.

Hey what’s up everybody. It’s Miguel from Santa Rosa and I have a word today for Sharon the Victorious from Northern California. And to start off, the word of God can do more in just 15 minutes than any person can in 15 years. So, I want to invite you to open the word of God to the book of Habakkuk and to read the three chapters that are there. It’s a short book. And it’s the book of the minor prophet that pours his complaint out directly to God seeking solace directly from God. So, I will just want to invite you to do that, to allow the word of God to speak to you in your circumstance. Second, I want to point out Jesus wept. And the reason why Jesus wept is that He sees the pain that we are in, He sees the effects of a fallen world and all the struggles that we have, and He feels the pain to. To know that Jesus wept, that Jesus weeps in the body of Christ, weeps with you as you continue in this struggle. And thirdly, I want to remind you about victory, and that just because we are victorious doesn’t mean that we don’t struggle. Just because we’re victorious doesn’t mean that we don’t take hits, that we don’t have hardships. Victory is about the outcome. Victory is about what happens after we passed through the fires. And, so, I want you to hear this. It’s hard. It really is but victory is coming. It really is. You are victorious, not because what you are walking through, but because what you are walking towards. So please, please keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. I’m praying for you. This body is praying for you. You are victorious Sharon. In Jesus name.

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