Got Vision?

Happy Sunday!

Habakkuk 2:2 says, "And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it."(KJV).

It's always good to know the context of a scripture.  I admit I have been guilty of taking scriptures out of context at times.  Thankfully, God is merciful and gracious and if you are willing to learn He will teach you.  I believe that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"(2 Timothy 3:16, KJV). I also believe that even though these scriptures were literally lived out by the Children of Israel we can glean wisdom from them for today.

Habakkuk voiced a complaint to God.  Did you know you can ask God questions?  You can make your case, and He will answer you.  In Isaiah 1:18, God says, "Come now, and let us reason together;"(KJV).  Another translation of this scripture says, "Come, let’s discuss this."(Living Bible).  I love listening to old recordings of Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin.  He wasn't afraid to ask God anything, and he'd rely on the Word of God for the answers. He recounted asking God about an issue, and telling God he wouldn't change his mind about it unless he had three scriptures to back it up.  He laughed when he reported that God told him he'd do him one better, and gave him four scriptures to support the truth.

So what was Habakkuk's complaint against God?  So glad you asked.  This was his first complaint to God, "O Lord, how long must I call for help before you will listen? I shout to you in vain; there is no answer. “Help! Murder!” I cry, but no one comes to save.  Must I forever see this sin and sadness all around me? Wherever I look I see oppression and bribery and men who love to argue and to fight. The law is not enforced, and there is no justice given in the courts, for the wicked far outnumber the righteous, and bribes and trickery prevail."(Easy-to-Read Version).  WOW!  If I didn't know this was written thousands of years ago, I would swear it was written in 2020.

You should read God's response to Habakkuk's first complaint, but today I want to focus on his second complaint and God's answer.  He says, "God, you’re from eternity, aren’t you?  Holy God, we aren’t going to die, are we?  God, you chose Babylonians for your judgment work?  Rock-Solid God, you gave them the job of discipline?  But you can’t be serious! You can’t condone evil!  So why don’t you do something about this? Why are you silent now? This outrage! Evil men swallow up the righteous and you stand around and watch!"(Habakkuk 1:12-13, Message). 

God answers Habakkuk and tells him to start taking notes.  God wants this response recorded and available for everyone to see.  One translation says, "Write my answer on a billboard", and another says, "Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by."(Living Bible and Amplified).  It was a literal prophetic vision to Habakkuk, but to us it is an encouragement to have Vision.

What is your vision for the future?  What is your vision for your family?  What is your vision for your legacy?  The Word says, "Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]—blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he."(Proverbs 29:18, Amplified). The world is happy to give you their vision.  It's shown daily on the Tell-A-Vision.  Most of the time it's gloom and doom.  But the Word says, "Hard times may well be the plight of the righteous—they may often seem overwhelmed—but the Eternal RESCUES the righteous from what oppresses them."(Voice).  The economists may tell you that you will never bounce back from this financial crisis.  But 2 Corinthians 9:8 promises, "God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you NEED and MORE so that there will not only be enough for your own needs but plenty left over to give joyfully to others."(Living Bible).  The commercials tell you about all the side effects of the medicines, and advertise that lovely senior citizen complex with medical staff on site.  I'm not judging, if that's what you really want. So be it.  But the Word says, "They will take root in your house, Lord God, and they will do WELL. They will be like trees that stay HEALTHY and FRUITFUL, even when they are old."(Psalm 92:13-14, CEV).

Do you have a Vision?  Re-visit your vision today.  Write it down, review it.  Remind yourself of the promises of God.  You "shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord."(Psalm 118:17, KJV).

Love and prayers, Cynthia