Do it again // Mary Swafford

Today we’re going to talk about remembering. There are SO many things we could say about the word remember that I almost don’t even know quite where to begin.

Some of you may think I didn’t “remember” to write this blog, because I am a couple of weeks late. Others may want to “remind” me of my commitment to honor God with my obedience, instead of my delayed responses and procrastination….

Whatever side of the fence you may be on, the lesson for today is the importance of remembering.

“I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works.” Habakkuk 3:2

Remembering is important. Our shared stories give us our identity and shape the way we live. That is true of any family, community, or nation. And it is especially true for God’s people.

“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderous deeds. Exult his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord. Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.” Psalm 105:1-4

There are ten commands in these verses encompassing worship, evangelism, allegiance, trust, communion—all of the Christian life is right here in these four verses.

But how are we to fulfill these commands? The answer is through one final command: Remember.

“Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles and the rulings he has given, you children of his servant Abraham, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the Lord our God. His justice is seen throughout the land.” Psalm 105:5-7

This is the perfect picture of Habakkuk’s letter to God. He exemplifies all of these remembrances and we should do the same.

My husband Mark and I had one of the most restorative, moving, purifying and emotional times of worship and prayer recently. We had been in a season of despair and angst of our own for quite some time. This particular week, it seemed the enemies attack on our family was more than we could bear. We were worn and at our end. With nothing left to give and nothing new to say or pray (I thought), we reached out to our pastor, Rusty Gunn and asked if he would come to the house and pray with us. It seemed a last resort as all of our efforts had felt in vain.

Rusty came as soon as he could and graciously listened as we poured out our hearts in fear and anxiousness at the situation. He listened intently and asked a lot of questions.

Then he asked us to remember. Remember and say out loud who God is and who he is to us personally.

God you are: my Savior, my redeemer, my father, my friend, my creator, my guide, my strength and my comfort. Lord you are my healer, my protector, my provider. You are my author and creator. My sustainer. Lord you are my life. You are the breath in my lungs. Everything I have is from you Lord. You are my peace. You are my past, my present and you are my future.

Remember and say out loud, what God has done for me in the past.

God you gave me the gift of salvation and eternal life through your son Jesus Christ. You gave me your spirit who lives within me. The same spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in me. God you gave that to me! God you have cleansed me and made me new. Made me whole. You have forgiven me. Freed me from addiction. Freed me from the things I placed before you. Lord you redeemed marriage and family for me. You’ve given me a family. Those that are blood and those that are not. You’ve called me and given me a purpose in you. You’ve declared me your child. I am yours and you are mine! Amen!

Remember and say out loud, what I believe God will do for me.

God I believe you will make a way where there seems to be none. God you will go before me and light the way, you will go behind me and provide a cloud of covering and you will walk beside me. Wherever you go, Lord I will follow. God if it is your will, this job will come to pass and it will open the door for me to share the gospel with those I wouldn’t have the opportunity to otherwise. God you will bring our son Hunter home, just like the prodigal son came home, so we can embrace and celebrate him just like you celebrate me. God you will equip us for the call to ministry you’ve placed on our lives. God you will call others to go with us and change the course of history in the lives of those that will surrender to you in Jesus Holy Name. God you will be in my words and you will be in my actions. You will provide everything because you are everything to me. Amen! Amen! And Amen!!

Remembering isn't passive, it is an action that brings the power of Jesus into our lives. As we remember what He has done, it enables us to stop focusing on impossibility and instead focus on the God who does the impossible.

“In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy.” Habakkuk 3:2

Help us again as you did in years gone by. Do it again, Lord!

In remembering God’s works in Scripture and in our lives, we are strengthened in our faith. A strengthened faith results in praise that comes more easily and prayers that flow more readily.

Ultimately, we are better equipped to strengthen the faith of others and glorify God in our remembering. 

Exchange your forgetting, your worry and your fear for God’s goodness and faithfulness. Trust God to do it again, because you know and remember he’s done it before.

Patient Affliction//Vicky Hodson

Habakkuk was a prophet in Judah, during a time when Judah was taken over by sin. They were worshiping idols, sacrificing their children to pagan gods and completely ignoring God.

King Jehoiakim refused to listen to God’s prophets and even went to the extreme of burning their writings.

As you have learned so far, Habakkuk cried out to God, not understanding why they had to endure so much sin and evil. As hard as it was for him to wait on God’s answer, he chose to be faithful to God and answers God with:

I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to his complaint.” Habakkuk 2:1

What do we know about these ancient cities? They were built with a wall for protection. The ramparts were outside the city walls and were the first line of defense.

Habakkuk was saying that he’ll be like a watchman whose purpose was to stand on the towers and watch for invasions or messengers. He would stand outside the walls, ready and waiting for God to answer his question.

We often give up on God if He doesn’t answer right away or in our time. God’s timing is not equivalent to our timing. That is hard for us since we are accustomed to “instant gratification”.

Like Veruca Salt from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, “I want it and I want it now". We expect answers when we want them and we want them now. Habakkuk, though, was willing to wait.

Wait on the Lord.

Psalms 27:14 “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”

What situation are you currently facing that you have asked over and over for God to intervene? Maybe its a situation where you work, a marriage, or a family situation. How do we stand firm in our faith and wait for God’s answers?

Can we be like Habakkuk? Can we be like watchmen and wait? Can we get outside our situation and look at it from a different perspective? There is no one answer for how to do this. It will look different for each person, however, there are some principles to consider;

Actively seek God.

Isaiah 55:6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.”

Give your situation to God, He will bear your burdens.

Psalms 55: 22 “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you.”

Be patient.

Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Have faith.

Matthew 21:22 “and whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Look at Romans 12:12. Patient in affliction. This is exactly what Habakkuk was doing. Being patient and watching for the Lord.

What are you struggling with today? What trouble do you have in your life that you are anxious about? We often react in fear when facing trials. Are you willing to EXCHANGE your fear for PATIENCE?

I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to his complaint.” Habakkuk 2:1

Pray these verses as often as you need to. Write them down and keep them in front of you to help you be patient and to wait and watch for the Lord.

Vicky Hodson

Love Letters//Mary Swafford

When I was growing up, my best friend in the whole world was Mercedes.  We were in school together from early elementary, all the way through graduation.  We didn’t remain close that entire time, but from about 5th grade through 10th grade we were inseparable.

Back in the day, cell phones didn’t exist yet (How did we ever survive?) and it was common to write letters.  Even when I would go to Mississippi to visit my grandmother, she would have me write a letter to my parents telling them of my experiences while with her.  I would spend one morning writing them a letter and then we would stick it in the mail that afternoon.  These letters never required a response, because I was returning home a few days later.

But Mercedes and I.  We could write some letters.  Our letters ALWAYS required a response.  We wrote to each other so often, that we quit using different pieces of paper and would just write our responses on the same letter, fold it up into a triangle and pass it back.  We did this for the entirety of our friendship.  

One summer Mercedes gave me a journal.  Instead of writing little notes back and forth, we would write whole pages or two in the journal and then pass the journal back and forth to each other.  

I remember waiting with eager anticipation to receive the journal back from Mercedes and hear all about her adventures that summer.  We shared everything with each other.  Our hopes and dreams for the future.  Our thoughts and feelings about every situation.  Our joys and happiness, as well as our hurt and confusion.  Every outward expression and experience we shared together.  Every hidden, quiet secret as well.  

There was such intimacy to our relationship.  I could hear her voice in the distance and immediately know it was her.  I could see a figure in the distance and call her out because I was familiar with how she carried herself.  I could read something and know she wrote it.  Not just because I recognized her writing but I also knew the way she wrote and the way she phrased things.  We could finish each other’s sentences.  It was like we had our own language.  A love language, and these were our love letters.

This is how I see Habakkuk.  

In case I didn’t share with you last time, Habakkuk is not like any other book in the bible.  If you’ve read it for yourself, you know this already.  It is unique in that it is not so much an account of what’s happening in Habakkuk’s time as it is a prayer journaling experience with God.

Habakkuk cries out to the Lord, “Lord, how long must I cry for help?”. 

His cry doesn’t make the book unique.  Many authors in the bible record similar such cries.  Especially in the Psalms.  

“Hear me as I pray, O Lord.  Be merciful and answer me!” – Psalm 27:7

What really stands out to me is that Habakkuk continues.  Not only with his prayers, but with God’s responses.  It’s his love letter.  Habakkuk’s heart’s cry to God and God’s heart in return.  

“The Lord replied, “Look around at the nations; look and be amazed!  For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.”  Habakkuk 1:5

Aaaaaaahhhhhh….  Goosebumps!  What I would give to receive such a letter from God.

My immediate response is that above, but my spirit corrects me.  I already HAVE a love letter from God.  YOU already have a love letter from God.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made."  John 1:1-3

Not only is our love letter in Jesus Christ himself, but it’s in His word.  All we have to do is read it.  When our heart cries out to him in prayer, he responds;

“Look, you mockers, be amazed . . .  For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.”  Acts 13:41

When our prayers seem to go unanswered, and things aren’t going our way, He responds;

“For I am about to do something new.  See, I have already begun!  Do you not see it?  I will make a pathway through the wilderness.  I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”  Isaiah 43:19

Jesus wants us to seek the One who answers our prayers and not the answer itself.  

We need to…. I NEED to wait for his response with eager anticipation.  He longs for us to share everything with each other.  Our hopes and dreams for the future.  Our thoughts and feelings about every situation.  Our joys and happiness, as well as our hurt and confusion.  Every outward expression and experience we share together.  Every hidden, quiet secret as well.  

He longs for this kind of intimacy in our relationship.  So that I can hear His voice in the distance and immediately know it is him.  I can see a figure in the distance and call Him out because I’m familiar with how He carries himself.  I can read something and know He wrote it.  Not just because I recognize his writing but also because I know the way He writes in my heart and in His word.  We can finish each other’s sentences.  

We have our own language.  A love language, and these are our love letters.

Exchange your desire for an answer to your prayers for the One who answers prayers.  Imprint His words on your heart, write them on your doorposts and in your journals!

Come Lord Jesus // Mary Swafford

Can I get real with you girls?  I mean, REALLY real?  Writing this blog has kicked my tail.  It’s been so difficult for me to get started.  I know it’s what God wants me to write about, but it’s been; So. Very. Hard. 

I’ve read countless commentary over the book of Habakkuk and I’ve completed at least 4 bible study plans on it.  Twice each.   I downloaded my favorite ones again, just to help me get started tonight.  I’ve prayed and thought about it and prayed and thought about it and prayed and thought about it some more.  And then I giggled.  Isn’t that so fitting for the book of Habakkuk, that I would be praying and waiting and praying and waiting.  Hahahahaha  Just like the prophet himself.  God has such a sense of humor.

“How long, Lord, must I cry to you, and you do not listen?” - Habakkuk 1:1

I haven’t prayed this EXACT prayer, but I feel it in my soul.  

Recently we talked about the beauty of “hindsight”.  A gift that God gives us once he has delivered us from something into something new.  We’re able to look back and see where God intervened and directed our steps and carried us all the way, even when we couldn’t feel him or see him working in the moment.

At our leadership team meeting today for Shaken & Stirred we talked about “seasons”.  We are all in some kind of season or another.  Some of us are entering new seasons and others are coming out of seasons.  Some of these seasons bring freedom through Christ Jesus and deliverance from our circumstances.  Some of these seasons are periods of preparation for when, where and how God will use us in the future.  Still others are seasons of dark, heavy, burdensome fears, trials, worry and doubt.

You’ve heard it said, it’s easy to praise God from the mountain top.  It’s true.  When things are going your way, it’s easy to see and feel the goodness of God.  But have you ever found yourself in a place where you have asked God; how long, Lord, must I cry to you, and you do not listen?

Have you been in that desperate place in the quiet of your private conversations and thoughts and wondered the same?  Maybe you’ve been betrayed, or your heart has been broken.  Maybe your marriage has ended or another relationship torn apart.  Maybe your sweet child is hurting and sick and everything you’ve tried has failed.  And you wonder, why Lord?  How long, Lord?  And no matter what, God feels far away and the answers you’re seeking remain hidden.

I’ve cried out to God for so long, in my own desperation, that eventually I had no new words to say and nothing new to ask God for.  I found myself telling God, Lord you know my heart.  I don’t even know what to pray anymore, so God, just give me you.  Come into this space where I am, and give me more of you Lord.  I give myself to you.

Habakkuk faced his pain by crying out to God.  He didn’t turn his back on God but faced Him with the full force of his pain.

“How long, Lord, must I cry to you, and you do not listen?” - Habakkuk 1:1

Habakkuk knew that he couldn’t live without God, so he held on to Him with ruthless trust until God answered.  He continued to ask God, because he believed God was the answer.  Not just that he thought God HAD an answer, but God IS the answer!  Amen!

When we seek God in intimate conversation and prayer and when we seek God’s presence through reading daily His word, we find Him and he brings peace.  God is our peace in spite of and in the midst of our trouble.

When you believe this of the Lord, you can change your prayer from that of how long, Lord to;

“Hear me as I pray, O Lord.  Be merciful and answer me!  My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”  And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” - Psalm 27:7-8

Take some time to think about the cries of your heart.  What are some ways that you are talking to God about your pain?  What questions do you have for him?  Don’t be afraid to share the deepest corners of your heart with the One who created your innermost being.  He knows what’s there already and longs to hear you say it.

Exchange your how long, Lord for Come Lord, Jesus!