For Our Learning

Romans 15:4 - For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

I have been prompted to read other prophets of the Bible. Many words of warning were declared. And when we hear words of warning from God, we should heed them. It requires us to do these things: humble ourselves before God, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways. The result of this is His hearing us, forgiving us of our sins and healing.

I began to read Habakkuk and was struck with some of the wording that sounded familiar. I had highlighted some of it in the past and even had notations. Listen to these words from God to Habakkuk after he had complained to God about the state of his nation's wickedness and when was He going to do something about it:

The LORD replied, "Look at the nations and be amazed! Watch and be astounded at what I will do! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn't believe even if someone told you about it. I am raising up the Babylonians to be a new power on the world scene. They are a cruel and violent nation who will march across the world and conquer it. They are notorious for their cruelty. They do as they like, and no one can stop them. Their horses are swifter than leopards. They are a fierce people, more fierce than wolves at dusk. Their horsemen race forward from distant places. Like eagles they swoop down to pounce on their prey. On they come, all of them bent on violence. (Habakkuk 1:5-9 NLT)

Babylon's location today is Iraq! Need I say more? Think about the words of Isaiah 9:10 and the comparison between Israel and the United States by Jonathan Cahn written in The Harbinger. And remember, what has been written is for our learning. 

We should be crying out to the Lord as Habakkuk and other prophets: How long, O God, shall we cry and you will not hear? How many of us are really crying out for His mercy? How many of us want His judgment?

Later Habakkuk pleads more with God, worshiping Him as the God everlasting and holy. Habakkuk knows that despite all that happens, God's people will not be totally destroyed. But...He has chosen to appoint an enemy for our judgment and correction (Habakkuk 1:12). He allows these things in order that we might once again return...to...Him.

This country has started to allow one enemy to infiltrate our society and allowed evil to look good and good to look evil. If you don't see it, you are living in a fantasy world. The only way is to return to God, turn from the evil ways, seek God through prayer. This is the narrow way; Jesus is the narrow Way. No political figure can do this, no matter how "right" he might seem. No strength of our own in our military. Both are mere men. 

If God wants to cast judgment on us, He can. And I believe He will. He will use a physical enemy.

Here's another tidbit from God in Habakkuk:

Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. (Habakkuk 2:2-3).

A commentary on these verses said that this prophecy is for a future time also. Could that future be now? When are we going to learn what we are called to do? Will we as a nation wait until the next attack against us? All things are written for our learning. The tablets could be the Bible, the herald, all who share the words of God. 

If each one of us would trust in God, seek Him first for our salvation that we might understand all these things through the power of His Holy Spirit, gain the discernment necessary for these days, we might be able to effect some change in the world. We cannot, as people, be the change, as many suggest. If the change does not take place through the power of God, it is meaningless.

All things are written for our learning. Although God is patient with us, hoping we will get it, His patience with us will wear out. A judgment will come. Are we ready? Are we truly ready...in heart, soul, spirit and body? As Romans 13:11 says, we are to understand the present time; we are to awaken from our slumber. Remember we have a means of salvation. Turn to God, humble yourself, seek His face, and give your life to Jesus that you will be safe from future judgment. 

1Corinthians 10:11 - Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.