Run Forest Run

“And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.”  Habakkuk 2:2

Habakkuk was one of God’s prophets whom He raised up to warn Israel of their wickedness and violence, but the people did not listen to the warnings and continued to sin and worship idols.  Habakkuk became extremely frustrated because he was tired of waiting for the LORD to step in and bring judgment and correction to the people, and he voiced his utter disappointment to God.  I can somewhat understand how Habakkuk felt.  I am not a prophet, but as I see the ungodliness and wickedness unfolding in our nation and our world, I, too, wonder why God hasn’t “lowered the boom”, so to speak.

However, God informed Habakkuk that a plan was in the works, a plan which would entail the use of a nation which was much more evil and idolatrous than Israel had become and would be allowed to conquer Israel.  Could this happen to us?  There are several nations, rather powerful ones, who could be used to bring judgment upon America.  These other nations have always wanted to have dominance on the world scene, but our nation has been united and blessed by God as the most strongest and powerful nation on earth, and has been able to defend against all enemies, both foreign and domestic.  But that could change, and I fear is changing right before our eyes.

Habakkuk protested God’s plan.  He basically said, “LORD, I want You to do something, but not that!”  In Habakkuk’s mind, all he could see was a heathen nation becoming more powerful than God’s chosen people and getting away with it.  Habakkuk had no reason to really fear though.  God would not let that happen.  God will always be the Victor, not the victim.  Habakkuk decided to wait and see what answer God would have to his complaint.  The LORD told him to write His answer in plain language and distribute it among His people so that His warning could be seen by all of Israel.  Those who were faithful to God could flee, while those who chose to ignore the warning would be taken by surprise.  God was merciful to warn Israel, yet many ignored His warning just as they had ignored Habakkuk’s words.  I think maybe they had the mindset that “this won’t happen to me”.

I think that is likely what many in our day think, “this won’t happen to me” or “it won’t happen in my lifetime”.  Our world is definitely full of evil and idolatry, and we are still being warned through the pages of God’s word, and the preaching of the gospel in churches, on television, radio, and the internet.  No one can say that he or she wasn’t warned that judgment is coming.  However, like many in ancient Israel discovered, it is a serious error to ignore God’s warnings.  Along with these warnings, God has also given us a way of escape by way of the cross of Jesus Christ.  Those who heed the warnings have nothing to fear.