Habakkuk 1:2. O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!
Oh Friends, it’s Labour Day! And I hear a resounding shout of ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ That’s because many of us don’t have to go to work this Monday morning. But since it’s also such a beautiful day, and the Lord has shown us special favour to see and enjoy it, please, my fellow believers, let’s rise and shine, offer Him a word of thanks and praise, then with a broad smile on our faces, boldly declare, as we raise our right hands in a tightly closed fist: ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we WILL rejoice and be glad in it, come what may!’ Now that might be very easy to do for those who are not going to work. But please, let’s remember those who have to go out and labour in this non-stop, 24/7 busy society. And in empathy with them, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with plenty soul and enthusiasm, and wish them well on the start of their new work week. As one enchanting voice now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together. We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’ Now that ought to wake us up and get us ready to face the ungodly world, even those who will stay at home partying. (smile) And Friends, though it’s good to party, of course in moderation, when I first read our Bit, it wrought a loud sigh of concern re our turbulent and troubled world. The prophet Habakkuk declared that his prophecy was a burden, (Hab.1:1) an heavy load placed on him by the Lord, to warn Judah of its upcoming punishment for their continued disobedience and rebellion toward Him. They would eventually be invaded and captured by the Chaldeans. According to the scholars, the name Habakkuk means “Embracer” or “A Wrestler” which provides the key to his prophecy. It’s a record of him wrestling with God on behalf of his people. Hence his heartfelt plea: ‘O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!’ Oh Friends, I’m sure that there are many of us believers who feel the same way about our current society as Habakkuk felt about his. We pray and cry out to God, but it seems as though He doesn’t hear us, or simply ignores our pleas to save us, because the violence and evil in which we are now mired grows worse every day. Habakkuk’s further description of Judah’s society appears to be an exact replica of ours. ‘Why dost thou show me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance (trouble or toil)? for spoiling (plundering ) and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife (there is strife) and contention. Therefore the law is slacked (powerless) and judgement (justice) doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about (surround) the righteous; therefore wrong (perverse) judgement proceedeth.’ (Hab.1:3-4) Oh Friends, that could be any one of us writing about the disgraceful, disgusting society in which we now live, where things like greed, envy, injustice, lawlessness, legal theft, strife and confusion reign supreme. And it’s oh so sad, that on a Labour Day, where the celebration of gains in the working class should be happening, the Lord has guided me to a Bit that instead reminds us of the many gains we’ve lost and the rigid determination of the greedy, evil powers that be to take away even more. Oh my people, please, I implore you, don’t be fooled by the nice, sweet words of our leaders and their wealthy captains of industry, their sole aim is to take us back to the harrowing times of the Great Depression, where workers had no rights whatsoever and were treated worse than slaves or animals. And they’re slowly but surely doing it by breaking the Unions, which themselves have gotten too unwieldy and bureaucratic to fight back, and also by having workers fighting against each other; the old but ever so successful, divide and conquer tactic. It’s all about the bottom line now Friends. There’s not even a tad of a social conscience in the 99% now. Wherever the labour is cheapest, their capital flows without a note of concern for the poor, helpless, jobless workers they’re leaving behind. But you know what my people? We can’t afford to stop praying for the wickedness to cease, or at least be tightly reined in, while we continue doing the good works that God ordained us to do. As Bruh Paul exhorted the Ephesians: ‘I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation (calling) wherewith ye are called. With all lowliness and meekness (gentleness), with long-suffering, forbearing (bearing with) one another in LOVE; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ (Eph.4:1-3) Yes my brethren, regardless of the Lord’s overall plans, we must endeavour to keep keeping on, doing what He desires us to do, remembering that His thoughts and wisdom are much greater than ours, and that He’s promised that everything will work out for good to those whom He’s called and respond to His call with LOVE! (Rom.8:28) And I sincerely pray that today, the Holy Spirit will rise up in every one of us and give us the strength, faith, hope, wisdom, understanding, peace and passion to do so in a most worthy manner. In Jesus’ Name. Amen! Much Much LOVE, my beautiful fellow believers in Jesus Christ, our wonderful Lord and Saviour!…a believer’s duty…to do God’s will for our lives…come what may…
SCRIP-BITS 