Prayer for Hard Times

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? Let’s review Matthew 21:12-22 and Habakkuk 3 and see how prayer includes trust in God’s answer, especially during hard times.

House of Prayer

Matthew 21:13 “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.” Jesus’ anger was justified because a house dedicated to God was being used for commercialism. Prayer is one of the most important purposes for our church buildings.

Believing Prayer

Matthew 21:21-22 “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

What if we pray and God says, No? Can we learn something from Habakkuk’s prayer? Habakkuk the prophet was possibly a temple musician, a Levite. Tradition records that he was the Shunammite woman's son, whose life Elisha saved. He wrote in the 7th century BC, just before the Babylonian captivity.

Habakkuk’s Prayer

Habakkuk expresses his doubt to God about His plans to punish Judah via an unjust Babylon. God reminded Habakkuk that He will punish evil, and Habakkuk learns to faithfully trust God’s decision. Habakkuk 2:4 “the righteous will live by his faith” is quoted several times in the New Testament.

Habakkuk 3:1 “A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.” This is the plural of Shiggaion, only used in one other place, Psalm 7. This possibly implies a wildly passionate prayer, which certainly describes the chapter. This indicates the prayer, like the Psalms, was probably set to music.

Habakkuk 3:2 “Lord, I have heard the report about You and I fear. O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years, In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy.” Rebellious people create a passive, cuddly God they don’t have to fear.

Habakkuk 3:3 “God comes from Teman, And the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendor covers the heavens, And the earth is full of His praise.” God was present with them at Sinai, and the creation provides evidence of His existence, figuratively proclaiming His praise every single day.

Habakkuk 3:4 “His radiance is like the sunlight; He has rays flashing from His hand, And there is the hiding of His power.” To those with insight, the brilliant light and radiance of the sun reveals a hidden secret, the incredible power that created everything in the entire universe.

Habakkuk 3:5 “Before Him goes pestilence, And plague comes after Him.” God did reveal Himself in this way to Israel’s enemies after the Exodus, including the armies of Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:35). When necessary, God comes to avenge and judge. As Creator of everything, He has that right.

Habakkuk 3:6 “He stood and surveyed the earth; He looked and startled the nations. Yes, the perpetual mountains were shattered, The ancient hills collapsed. His ways are everlasting.” The mountains and hills may seem permanent, but when God intervenes, a vain and arrogant humanity sees who really is everlasting.

Habakkuk 3:7 “I saw the tents of Cushan under distress, The tent curtains of the land of Midian were trembling.” This imagery is probably from the Exodus. Cushan may be Cush, Ethiopia. Midian was to the east. At the Exodus, surrounding nations took notice and trembled at God’s deeds.

Habakkuk 3:8 “Did the Lord rage against the rivers, Or was Your anger against the rivers, Or was Your wrath against the sea, That You rode on Your horses, On Your chariots of salvation?” God wasn’t angry with sea and horses, but revealed His power over creation, freeing Israel.

In Habakkuk 3:9-17 we are reminded of God’s power over the earth, mountains, sun, moon, nations, armies, trees, fruit, fields, and flocks. In this context, verses 16-17, is a lament about prophecies in Habakkuk 1-2 of a future foreign invasion of a rebellious Judah and captivity by Babylon.

Rejoice in God

Habakkuk 3:18 “Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” Despite the prophesied Babylonian invasion of Judah, Habakkuk hopes in God because of His track record of saving Israel from Egyptian slavery. Perhaps he even has faith in a second Exodus.

The Lord God is My Strength

Habakkuk 3:19 “The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places.” Though Babylon takes us prisoner, or life takes us through calamity, God helps us be as surefooted as deer and walk on high places.

Conclusion

Habakkuk teaches us that, though we don’t always understand God’s answers to our prayers, Bible history teaches us that we have every reason to rejoice in God, because He will save us from the consequences of our wrongdoings. Habakkuk also teaches us that singing songs of faith is itself an act of faith.

Matthew 21:12-22; Habakkuk 3; 2 Kings 19:35

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Woes to Unfaithful Church Leaders

It is such a privilege to be a church leader, especially in kind and loving churches. It is a grave responsibility to feed God’s sheep and guide people that we are privileged to call our friends, on their journey to eternity. Overseers of churches are far from perfect, but some mistakes are worse than others. Jesus’ stern warning to the Pharisees in Matthew 23:13-39 is also important for us today.

Though this is a stern rebuke of the Pharisees, it is also a lesson for the listening disciples who would replace the Pharisees in authority, and also a severe warning to all future overseers of the churches.

1. Teaching Against Christ

Matthew 23:13 “woe… because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people…” These religious leaders had the keys to the kingdom, but locked the door literally “in their faces.” Those who believed in the One who the law pointed to, were being locked out of the synagogues. Bringing themselves misery, Pharisees did everything they could to turn the people from their Messiah. Do we turn people to Jesus?

2. Teaching to be Sons of Hell

Matthew 23:15 “Woe… because you… make one proselyte… twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.” Before we try to convert someone to our church, or our denomination, perhaps we had better be sure they are going to be in an orthodox place, where they will be encouraged to follow Jesus instead of some stupid legalistic man-made rules or watered-down heresies. Will we faithfully teach what Jesus taught?

3. Teaching Blindness

Matthew 23:16 “Woe… blind guides…” The religious leaders had made the offering more sacred than the Temple. This is like those who see church relics as more sacred than the Gospel, or those Church swindlers who saw the collection of indulgences as more important than telling the truth. The Pharisees were greedy for the offerings. Do we church leaders care more for the people than the offering plate?

4. Teaching Pickiness not Principles

Matthew 23:23 “Woe… you tithe… and… neglected… justice and mercy and faithfulness…” Tithing is important, but without justice, mercy and faithfulness it’s useless. Do we get stuck in picky details and forget what’s most important? Any of us can focus on lesser important things and neglect what’s most important. Do we “strain out a gnat and swallow a camel”? Do we love people more than getting lost in details?

5. Character: Extortion and Self-Indulgence

Matthew 23:25 “Woe… you clean the outside… but inside… are full of robbery and self-indulgence.” From the historic extortion of indulgences to modern televangelists who extort millions and spend it on self-indulgent lifestyles living in lavish mansions, the Church is not immune to looking pretty on the outside but filled with extortion and excess on the inside. Jesus warns Church leaders not to soil the Gospel by such corruption.

6. Character: Hypocrisy and Lawlessness

Matthew 23:27-28 “Woe… you… on the outside appear beautiful, but inside… full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness… full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Church buildings can be beautiful, but if they are filled with hypocrisy and abominations, they are just tombs for the spiritually dead. Church leaders must be sure that they spend enough time in prayers of repentance for God to clean us up on the inside.

7. Character: Murderous Hearts

Matthew 23:29-36 “Woe… you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous… I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute…” In “whining hypocrisy”[1] they deluded themselves not to have the murderous spirit of their ancestors. Do we give life to Christ?

Conclusion

Local churches have a number of overseers. The responsibility is grave and not to be treated flippantly. We want to lead people to Christ not ourselves, to heaven not hell, for God not money, to what’s important not pickiness, with clean hearts on the inside not what just looks good, living God’s way of life not the world’s way of death.

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

[1] A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown. 1882.

The Son of Man is Coming

Are we ready to open the door for Jesus upon His return? Let’s look at the parable of the waiting servants in Luke 12:35-48.

Ready

Luke 12:35 “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit.” As a household servant would have had the lamps lit for the owner’s return, so do many of us leave an outside light on for someone we are expecting home soon. If they’ve been gone a long time, we may be dressed appropriately to help them. So must be ready for the Parousia or Second Coming of Christ.

Luke 12:36 “Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.” The picture here is one of expectant waiting for the household boss coming from a wedding celebration and opening the door at his first knock. Live in joyful expectation of His coming, ready to meet Him.

Luke 12:37 “Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them.” Rather than be served, our selfless and loving Master, Jesus will gladly serve us. Footwashing was not an empty gesture, but the way Jesus lives.

Luke 12:38 “Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.” Romans divided the night into four watches. The Jews into three watches. The second Jewish watch was from 10:00 pm-2:00 am and the third from 2:00-6:00 am. An earlier or later coming of Christ makes no difference to those who are ready.

Luke 12:39 “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into.” A second metaphor of waiting for Christ is the unexpected thief in the night. But, we can be ready for the thief. Even in ancient times families took turns on night watch as we saw.

Luke 12:40 “You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.” How do we get ready? How do we watch? We stay on the alert. We don’t let the thief steal our faith. We pray. We guard our hearts. We watch our mouths. We guard against heresies. We draw near to God faithfully obedient to His commandments of love.

Faithful

Luke 12:42 “… Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time?” Jesus instructs every faithful steward but it reminds us of other admonitions, “Tend My lambs” (John 21:15) and “shepherd the church of God” (Acts 20:28). The spiritual diet given in due season is very important to God.

Luke 12:43-44 “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.” What should a preacher preach, meat in due season, or worldly fluff that tickles the ears? Should he preach the Bible or the philosophy of those who care more for the world’s opinions? Faithful preaching has eternal rewards.

Luke 12:45 “But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk”. Too much alcohol is not for Christians. We would be tempted to let down our guards and become abusive. It’s not time to slacken in our responsibilities to God and the Church.

Luke 12:46 “the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers.” If we neglect the worship of God, we will not be ready for Christ’s return. Our punishment will be ugly. This is Jesus talking, not an Old Testament prophet.

Luke 12:47-48a “And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few.” Contrary to the popular notion that ignorance of the law is not excuse, with God it is. The level of culpability depends on knowledge.

Luke 12:48b “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” Just as national leaders have a grave responsibility to tell the truth and show forth good character, so do Church leaders. Those who have been given a greater knowledge of God’s Holy Word are thus held more accountable for how they live.

Conclusion

The problem with being in the Church for decades is the temptation to slacken off. Our problem in western countries like America and Europe is that we no longer believe the Bible without changing it to suit the world. Yet, now more than ever before, we need to be reading our Bibles daily, pray more than ever and be about our Father’s business. Jesus is coming soon. Are we ready to open the door?

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

You Will Long to See

This week several stories of firefighters and a police chief losing their homes to wildfires have emerged. They had no time to mourn their losses, because they had a job to do in continuing to fight. Something greater than personal loss drove them on, they longed to see others saved.

When times are tough, what do we long to see? Do we long to hear once more the stories of Jesus? In Luke 17:20-37 Jesus prophesied a time of trouble after the cross and what we should focus on as most important. What is the most important thing in our lives?

No Signs

In Luke 17:20 what did Jesus mean that “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed”? The Greek implies Jesus was describing both the careful and anxious watching, with which the hostile Pharisees had been observing Him and others, who were looking for a sign that He was the Messiah king. His kingdom is not one of worldly pomp but God’s reign in men’s hearts.

In Luke 17:21 speaking of the kingdom of God, Jesus says, “nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” We too can focus so much on the visible coming of the king of kings, that we miss the kingdom of God in our midst. It reigns in our hearts and its king was already here.

Long to See

In Luke 17:22 Jesus said to His disciples, “The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.” This wording looks both backwards to the disciples’ joy in His earthly ministry and forward to their eagerly awaiting His return. During difficult times let’s also remember our days hearing Jesus’ teachings and His healing people.

In Luke 17:23 we read, “They will say to you, ‘Look there! Look here!’ Do not go away, and do not run after them.” In those days many false Christ’s began to appear. Even today false prophets attempt to tell people they will find Christ here or there among their deceptive doctrines. We must constantly focus on doctrines that Jesus taught, not enticing things which He did not teach.

Like Lightning

Luke 17:24 “For just like the lightning, when it flashes out of one part of the sky, shines to the other part of the sky, so will the Son of Man be in His day.” Though the kingdom of God is in the hearts of all who submit to God’s rule in their lives, Jesus points to His bright and visible return and conquest of earth by that kingdom.

Luke 17:25 “But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.” As the ultimate Patriarch of both Old and New Testaments, Jesus set the example of true self-sacrificial leadership for the world He loves. So, before coming in glory, He would suffer in shame. We see in Jesus a loving God who mourns for the world’s suffering and is willing to suffer along with it.

Lot’s Wife

Luke 17:26-27 “And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.” In the dark days ahead, life will continue in many respects as normal.

Luke 17:28-29 “It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.” A perverse society that cared nothing for the poor was suddenly judged, abruptly as will Jesus return.

Luke 17:30 “It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed.” In rich countries we are so proud. We ignore countries that we have exploited, the poor that we have oppressed to gain our wealth and we take pride in our sins. Like Sodom we live in lands that are “ well watered everywhere… like the garden of the Lord” (Genesis 13:10).

Luke 17:31-32 “On that day, the one who is on the housetop and whose goods are in the house must not go down to take them out; and likewise the one who is in the field must not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife.” We get so attached to things, yet unlike Lot’s wife we must live as if ready to walk away from our worldly possessions without looking back.

Luke 17:32-33 “Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.” The pillar of salt is a memorial to the failure of a counterfeit gospel about wealth. As Lot’s wife was told not to look back, let us learn not to mourn for the materialism of a dying world, but forward to the things that will last forever.

Carcass

Luke 17:34-36 “I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. There will be two women grinding at the same place; one will be taken and the other will be left. [Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left.]” Is this reminiscent of the final judgment?

Luke 17:37 “And answering they said to Him, “Where, Lord?” And He said to them, Where the body [carcass] is, there also the vultures will be gathered.” This is not the Body of Christ, but the rotting carcass of a sinful nation about to be taken and destroyed. But Jesus’ words also prophesy of our time and are deliberately vague enough not to be limited by where or when?

Postlude

Let’s not be like Lot’s wife, but live as if we are ready and willing at a moment’s notice to abandon all our material possessions for the kingdom of God. Because, all of those things will pass away, and only the kingdom remains.

Luke 17:20-37; Genesis 13:10

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation