Today I’m sharing over at First 5 about one of my favorite topics – God’s presence with us. Here’s a preview . . .

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Today’s Reading: Habakkuk 3:3-4

Habakkuk 3:3 (ESV) “God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran …His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.”

It was 4:55 p. m. when I showed up at the front desk of my oncologist’s office without an appointment. I had just started my fourth round of chemotherapy, and I had symptoms that made me think the treatment wasn’t working. I hoped to leave a message for the on-call nurse, so I was shocked when I found myself face to face with my oncologist. He was a busy physician and researcher with a family at home. And yet, when he heard I was worried, he came to check on me. He listened to my concerns, examined me and reassured me that all was well. His presence calmed my fears.

In today’s verses, Habakkuk’s prayer of praise focused on the Lord’s majestic presence. (Habakkuk 3:3-4) Teman and Mount Paran referred to the region where the Israelites camped after God delivered them from Egypt. Habakkuk’s description communicated the Truth of God’s majesty, power and deliverance. But with these two words, “God came,” Habakkuk emphasized God’s gift of His presence. (Habakkuk 3:3)

Habakkuk’s words recalled an encounter the Israelites had with God at Mount Sinai after their exodus from Egypt. (Exodus 19:16-20) God came down and made covenant promises to be with them and be their God. (Exodus 29:45-46) God could have brought them out of Egypt and then left them on their own. He could have sent one of His angels to deliver the law and point them in the direction of the promised land. But God Himself came to His people and dwelled with them. (Exodus 40:34)

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You can head over to First 5 to read the entire teaching, or download the app to continue with us as we continue our study of Habakkuk.

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Today I have the privilege of sharing over at First 5 about God’s justice as we walk through the book fo Habakkuk together. Here’s a preview . . .

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Today’s Reading: Habakkuk 2:6-8

Habakkuk 2:6 (ESV) “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! ‘”

I’ve been a parent for 17 years, which means I’ve come up with a few responses to the cry, “That’s not fair!” Sometimes I respond with a shrug and the parenting classic “Life isn’t fair.” Sometimes my child is truly hurting and needs a compassionate hug. Sometimes I remind them that they don’t want what’s fair – they’ve received so much that they don’t deserve in this life, including God’s mercy.

With today’s passage, we start our study of five woes that God gave Habakkuk in response to Habakkuk’s cry of “That’s not fair!” (Habakkuk 1:12-13; Habakkuk 2:6-20) God knew His people would have questions when they watched Jerusalem fall and were carried away in defeat by the Babylonians. Centuries earlier, God promised Abraham that his children would live in this land. (Genesis 15:18-21) God promised David that one of his descendants would reign forever on the throne in Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 7:8-16) Had God failed to keep His promises?

God knew the people might conclude that God had abandoned them, that He was powerless compared to Babylon or that He was unjust. These woes gave Habakkuk and the people of Judah hope that God was still righteous, just, all-powerful and faithful to His promises.

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You can head over to First 5 to read the rest of today’s teaching, and I hope you’ll consider joining us in the First 5 app for the rest of the study of Habakkuk. There’s also a study guide that I had the opportunity to write for this study of Habakkuk. You can find it here on the Proverbs 31 Ministries website.

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I love the book of Habakkuk, so when the team at the First 5 app asked me to write a study guide for a First 5 study of Habakkuk, it was an immediate “yes!” Now the study guide is available for purchase as we start the study of Habakkuk in the First 5 app. If you’d like a copy, you can purchase one here at the First 5 website.

(Photo credit: Proverbs 31 Ministries)

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