“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of
the Glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”
Habakkuk 2:14
Faith doesn’t look at things as they are, but sees them as they will be (Heb. 11:1).
It’s so easy to become despairing these days when we read the headlines, watch the evening news, hear of “wars and rumors of wars” (Mt. 24:6a). But, even as Jesus predicted they’d occurred, He also went on to say “see that you be not troubled (Grk. ‘throeo’—‘to clamor, frighten, wail, be afraid, terrified, etc.’)—for these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet” (v.6b).
“The Great Not Yet.”
That’s where we are now, but the anonymous author of Hebrews echoed Jesus’ words when he wrote, “But now we see all things not yet put under Him” (2:8c). And, thankfully he went on to add “But we see Jesus. . .” (v.9a). Hallelujah!! Isn’t that a powerful reminder in this day-and-age of “doom, despair and agony on me”? Assuredly it is! Glory!!
Habakkuk, whose name probably means “One who embraces” or “Clings,” ministered during the death throes of the nation of Judah. His repeated calls for her to repent fell on deaf ears and hardened hearts. When the prophet asked God how long this would continue, the Lord told him that He would use the Babylonians as His chastening rod to bring his countrymen to their knees—which caused him to fall down on his knees in great grief.
Then he remembered “the just shall live by faith” (Hab. 2:4) and God had everything under control. . .which caused him to begin praising the Lord (3:17-19). And, in the midst of it all the Lord reminded him of today’s Manna. For now, “the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing—setting themselves together against the Lord and His anointed” (Ps. 2:1-2).
But, one of these days “He that sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision” (Ps. 2:4). One of these days “every knee shall bow and every knee shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father” (Is. 45:23; Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:11). And, one of these days “the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea”—and what a Day that shall be!!
Until then, who are we to contend with God and call Him into question (Hab. 1:1-4, 12-17)? As James Weldon Johnson, a black preacher of another generation wrote in his book, God’s Trombones, “Young man, young man, your arm’s too short to box with God” (cf. Job 9:3; 13:8).
So true, so true.
Therefore, for now we should be faithful in wooing and warning. For now we should plead and pray for those “who oppose themselves in hopes that God will bring them to repentance” (II Tim. 2:25). But, above all, we should ever-remember that one of these days King Jesus’ Glory will “fill the earth even as the waters cover the sea.” Amen and amen.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated July 14, 2009
