Such a Time as This

Dear Brethren,

Trials and tests are increasing more and more as we near the return of Jesus Christ.  Often our trials can seem to be overwhelming.  Sometimes we are perplexed by the problems that are seemingly unfair.  It was the same for the prophet, Habakkuk, who was bewildered by what was happening to the chosen people of God.  Thinking that God was ignoring his problem, Habakkuk, cried out to God for relief.  Habakkuk could not understand how God would prosper Israel's enemies at His people's expense – even if God's people were sinners.  God's answer was for Habakkuk to wait patiently – in faith.  Faith that God was working all things out for the good (Romans 8:28).  Habakkuk shares with us his most intimate prayer to God.

"O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!"  (Habakkuk 1:2)  Habakkuk had to learn that God's plan is always right on track.

The theme of the book of Habakkuk is:  God will destroy Israel's enemies and embrace spiritual Israel.  Habakkuk means, "Embrace."  God had appointed the very wicked Chaldeans to punish His people Israel.  But, it was for the very good purpose that God would eventually recover and embrace His people.

It is the same for us today as it was for Habakkuk in his day.  We are to learn from this lesson that our faith in God includes the concept that even when He is sending or allowing sore trials to come upon us – it is always for the very good purpose that God is working out His plan in us.  In the end, Habakkuk resolved to live by faith in anticipation of the coming deliverance and restoration that God will surely bring.  "The righteous shall live by faith."  (Habakkuk 2:4)

We see a good example of God working this way in the Book of Esther.  Queen Esther faced a life threatening test.  It certainly was not a "fair" trial for Esther because she had done nothing to deserve her extremely sore trial.  But through faith, she was equal to the test, and endured.  Under her cousin Mordecai's guidance, Esther prevented the annihilation of the Jews.

"For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"  (Esther 4:14)

When we realize that God is involved in every detail of working out His plan, we know that our lives are guided by Him.  Our duty is to trust Him and to live by faith!

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Sermon:

"Such a Time as This"