A prophetic protest devotion for 16-DEC-01

Every Day Light
Devotion for Sunday , December 16, 2001

Selection Taken From:
Every Day Light - Hardcover by Selwyn Hughes

Devotional reading is designed not simply to inform the mind, but to fire the spirit.

"A prophetic protest"

""Are they going to use their swords for ever and keep on destroying nations without mercy?" (v.17, GNB)" - For reading & meditation - Habakkuk 1:13-17

The words before us now show that the prophet is really getting worked up about the idea of God using cruel Chaldeans to discipline the people of Judah. And he makes his protest in the most extravagant language: "Are we but fish, to be caught and killed? Are we but creeping things that have no leader to defend them from their foes? Must we be strung up on their hooks and dragged out in their nets, while they rejoice? Then they will worship their nets and burn incense before them! 'These are the gods who make us rich,' they'll say." His outburst comes to a head with this challenging question: "Will you let them get away with this for ever? Will they succeed for ever in their heartless wars?" (vv.14-17: TLB). We said yesterday that the fact that God uses the unrighteous to discipline the righteous has always been a problem to the people of God. Throughout the ages, believers from all walks of life have grappled with it, and so now must we. First, let's pose the question in its modern form: Why does God use unbelievers to discipline believers - non-Christians to refine Christians? Why does He use an unconverted wife or husband to chasten a partner who is a believer, a non-Christian parent to discipline a Christian son or daughter? What possible reason can God have for taking up an impure instrument to accomplish a holy purpose? I am sure you will agree with me when I say that few things are more humbling than God using someone whom we know is godless and lacking in character to chasten and refine us. Humbling - but necessary.

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