Tag: Heath A Thomas

Habakkuk 3:4-7

In Habakkuk 3:4-7, Habakkuk sees the Lord marching from the south coming from Teman and Mount Paran. Chisholm notes that Teman was an Edomite city located to the southeast of Judah and Mount Paran was a mountain range located to the south of Judah, near the Gulf of Aqaba.[1] Habakkuk’s description of God in verses 3b-6 are terrible and frightening.

Habakkuk 3:3-7 (ESV)

God came from Teman,
    and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah
His splendor covered the heavens,
    and the earth was full of his praise.
⁴ His brightness was like the light;
    rays flashed from his hand;
    and there he veiled his power.
⁵ Before him went pestilence,
    and plague followed at his heels.^[a]
6 He stood and measured the earth;
    he looked and shook the nations;
then the eternal mountains were scattered;
    the everlasting hills sank low.
    His were the everlasting ways.
⁷ I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction;
    the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.

Habakkuk Praises God (vs. 3-4)

The prayer of Habakkuk here in chapter three is a wonderful model of how prayer draws us close to God and enhances our view of Him. In chapters, one and two Habakkuk has many doubts and many questions. Now all of those have been turned to praise. Praise is his conclusion. Praise is where his journey of discovery led. Habakkuk sees a God whose splendor covers the skies so that His glory fills the earth. He is bright as lightning with a two-pronged lightning bolt flashing in his hand as an outward display of his power.

God created each of us to praise and worship Him

Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. We come from Him and we are going to Him. At the ends of our lives, every knee will bow to Him. For some people, this will be forced. They will do so with hate in their heart just before entering an eternity of judgment. But if we bow our knees now, then we will enter into heaven with an eternity before us to praise Him. We are created to be God worshipers. This is where the journey of all believers will take us. God’s people will stand before His throne praising Him forever.  It is good to praise God like this, and God’s people need to do more of it. It is good to praise God because it:

• gives appropriate honor and glory to God.
• declares God’s specific works.
• teaches and reminds us of who God is and what He has done.
• places man in his proper position under God.
• builds confidence in the power and works of God.

In verse four we see Habakkuk attempt to describe God’s glory. It is no easy task! Four different words related to light are used including radiance, sunlight, rays, and flashing. In the Bible light is a symbol of holiness and truth. It also is often used to describe the glory of God. [2]

Plaques and Pestilence (vs 5)

When God takes his battle stance, the whole earth shakes. With just a mere look the nations are frightened, the mountains disintegrated, and the hills are flattened. God is just. When people rebel against Him, judgment will come, sooner or later. Plague struck (1 Chronicles 21) when David sinfully took a census. When the Assyrians tried to conquer Judah 185,000 were killed by pestilence. When the Israelites sinned by fornicating with Moabites, a plague came from God killing 24,000 people.

These events show us God’s clear power over life and death. In His justice, He could rightfully choose to kill us immediately. But He doesn’t. Every breath we have is from Him. Knowing that He has this power and that He normally doesn’t choose to exercise it, is a cause for thanks.

God surveys the earth (vs. 6)

In verse 6 we see that God is watching. He is involved with His creation. He is observing His people, at all times both aware of and involved with what is going on. Providentially He looks out for His people. Making use of even His enemies, He fulfills His plans. He is the Beginning and the End. Everyone is from Him and everyone is responsible to Him. Our first breath is from Him. And after our last breath, we will see Him. In all the interim He is working in our lives.

2 Chronicles 16:9 – For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

1 Peter 3:12 – For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer.

Cushan and Median are Punished (vs. 7)

Cushan (part of the territory of Midian) and the land of Midian cannot stand up under God’s gaze. Their tents shook. Their tents were their dwellings, their homes. God’s judgment would collapse their homes and their very lives. Because they did not build their lives according to God’s principles they were susceptible to God’s judgment.

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[1] Chisholm, Handbook on the Prophets, 440.

[2] https://studyandobey.com/inductive-bible-study/habakkuk-studies/habakkuk-3-1-15/

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One Year Bible Reading Plan: September 18

Download the full one-year Bible reading plan here:

One Year Bible Reading Plan

Ecclesiastes 4-6

2 Corinthians 10

Clicking on the Scripture links above will open a new window where you can read the scripture from the New English Translation at Biblegateway.com or choose the Bible version you prefer to read. Check back each day to get the Scripture to read in the One Year Bible Reading Plan.

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Praying, Meditating, and Journaling the Psalms:

Choose one of the following Psalms: One of the following Psalms: 18, 48, 78, 108, 138.

1: Read the psalm through in its entirety.

2: Take one verse at a time and pray the verse back to God as it applies to your life.

3: Meditate on the verse and ask the Holy Spirit what He is trying to teach you about God, your Christian walk, or about yourself.

4: Journal what you prayed about and the results of your meditation.

5: Move to the next verse. Continue through the entire psalm this way.

6: Write down one verse that stood out the most to you today on a 3X5 card and carry it with you throughout the day. Memorize the verse and hide it in your heart.

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Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template

Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.

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Week 38: September 18-24

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New in the Shop: Daring of the Soul

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”(Hebrews 11:1, ESV). How daring is your soul to see what is not in sight?

Today’s Forecast

Here’s a forecast that is never wrong! God reigns and the Son shines! This tee proclaims God’s sovereignty and Christ as the Light of the World.

Armed and Dangerous

Goodness of God

God’s goodness is all around us, and He blesses us every day. This design reminds us that His goodness is running after us and overflows in abundance. So sing His praise and make it glorious!

Then Sings My Soul

From the hymn, “How Great Thou Art.” We can sing praise to God in all circumstances because God is good all the time.

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We Recommend:

Clicking the link on our recommended resources will take you to Christianbook Distributors’ website.

NET, The TEXT Bible, Hardcover, Comfort Print By Thomas Nelson The NET The Text Bible is a new approach to engaging God’s Word, with the attention and in-depth nature of your favorite podcast, as if you’re in such a thought-provoking conversation with a friend that you lose all track of time because you are communicating on a level that piques your interest on multiple subjects and emotions. With a four step Bible study approach: Talk to God; Encounter God and humanity; eXamine your heart; Talk to others, this Bible features study notes, questions and articles all designed to get you to dwell on the biblical stories; to let your heart and mind truly soak in the warmth of God’s wisdom and truth found in the Scriptures.

Focus on the Text:

• Text-ing the Text: use the 4-step process of Scripture engagement
• Big Q of the Text: big life questions with short answers
• Praying the Text: learn how to start praying God’s Word right back to Him
• Get to Know the Text: provides concise history of a major event or character
• Follow the Thread: navigate the Bible across topics
• Anatomy of the Text: describes parts of speech or important types of literature such as parables or apocalyptic books
• Terms of the Text: what you need to understand about some of the unique words in the Bible
• “Who is God?”: 100 short devotions on the person and character of God

More Features:

• Book introductions
• 8 full-color maps
• Clear and readable 9-point NET Comfort Print

Spiritual Formation Is…: How to Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence

Spiritual Formation Is…: How to Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence – eBook By Rod Dempsey & Dave Earley / B&H Academic Rod Dempsey and Dave Early draw on years of experience as pastors, church planters, professors, and transformed believers to equip readers to grow in their spiritual walk with Christ. Spiritual Formation Is challenges believers to grow upward, inward, and outward in their spiritual formation by loving God, loving one another, and loving our neighbors. Written in a down-to-earth, approachable style that invites readers to come as they are, Spiritual Formation Is introduces the principles, philosophy, and practice of sanctification.

Praying the Bible

Praying the Bible By Donald S. Whitney / Crossway Ever feel “stuck” when you try to talk to the Lord? Learn to pray the Scriptures and you’ll never be lost for words again! In this practical guide, the best-selling author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life shows you how to pray through portions of God’s Word, letting it shape your thoughts and petitions. 128 pages, hardcover from Crossway.

Wellspring Christian Ministries is a proud Affiliate of Christianbook Distributors.

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God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars

by Julia M. Bruce

What’s Inside God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars?

This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

• Scripture to memorize and meditate on
• Conversation Starters
  • Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
  • Romance Builders
  • Relationship Builders
  • Personal reflections
  • Date ideas
  • Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples

Now in the WCM Store! Buy your copy today for only $24.95

paperback edition

Also available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.

Join the community of couples on Facebook who are committed to intentionally growing their marriage and learning how to have a marriage that honors God. Here you can post photos of the different activities as you do them, ask questions of other couples, share how God is using this book to strengthen your marriage, and grow with other Christian couples. We’ll see you in the community.

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Bible Studies, Bibles, Books & More

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Habakkuk 3:1-3

Habakkuk’s response to the prophecy of Babylon’s fall is to pray and worship. Especially following 2:20, what other response could Habakkuk offer to the God who is enthroned in His holy temple?

Through his dialogue with God, he has learned much from God and is now astounded by His plans. In the past, he has heard about what God has done, but now, through the vision God gave him, He sees the works of God and He now has a deeper knowledge and understanding of the ways of God. So, he recalls the mighty deeds that God has done in Israel’s past, stating that he is awed by what God accomplished and he calls on God to repeat those deeds again but to also temper them with mercy for His people. Redmond writes, “Without mercy, God’s wrath would completely destroy God’s people. Without mercy, there would be no opportunity for sinners to receive grace. Mercy tempers justice.”[1]

Habakkuk had Doubts

In Chapters 1-2, we saw Habakkuk was confused and he had some doubts. However, Habakkuk has taught us that when we have doubts we should turn to God in prayer. Habakkuk’s doubt could have led him to many places. He could have ignored it and let it bubble underneath while going about his business. Or it could have led him to become bitter against God. Such doubt if not dealt with could have caused him to lose faith completely. But Habakkuk did not allow his doubt to take him down these roads. Instead, he dealt with it in the proper way, expressing ultimate belief in God’s righteous character while also hoping for an answer to settle his questions.

God provided that answer, even though it was not the answer that Habakkuk was looking for – or wanted. Habakkuk accepts God’s answer. He is satisfied. In the end, he places his complete faith in God, and his faith in God was vindicated. Thus, after all of the back and forth, Habakkuk finishes this book with a wonderful prayer of praise.

It is OK to bring our Doubts to God

It is OK, and even good, to sincerely seek answers to questions you have about God and His character. You can search for these answers in Scripture, by asking other believers, and through prayer. However, you should not remain in a state of doubt forever. You need to move from doubt to faith. Do not stay there in that place of doubt letting them increase. Instead, diligently seek the answer to your questions. Like Habakkuk, come to the Lord and tell Him you desperately want to understand. If you are sincere God will honor that. Even if your questions are not 100% settled (and they may not be this side of heaven) there should be a point in time when you come before the Lord and tell Him, “Even if I don’t completely understand, I believe in you.”

Habakkuk Praised God’s Person (vs. 1-3)

In verses 1-3 we find Habakkuk praising the person of God. Before his encounter with God, He heard about God and He knew the stories of the mighty deeds God had done, but know He has an experiential knowledge of God. That experience fills Habakkuk with a reverential awe or fear of God that makes him ask God to remember mercy in the midst of His wrath.

Habakkuk Expressed Fear of God

In verse two, Habakkuk says, “O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear.” Habakkuk knew God was on His throne. All of God’s power, prestige, and authority were ingrained in his mind. Habakkuk approaches God as a humble petitioner before a king, not as an equal, or worse as an adversary or challenger.

Like Habakkuk, when we approach God we should have a humble attitude. We should realize that He is on His throne in complete power and authority. If we have this attitude, our questioning will be polite and we will accept God’s answer. In short, if we fear God we will not be challenging God, but we will be seeking God’s help.

Habakkuk Asks God to Revive His Work

Habakkuk was very familiar with God’s miracles throughout history on Israel’s behalf. In his days, supernatural intervention from God was not seen as often. Habakkuk simply prayed for revival. He knew how God once worked and how His people once responded, and Habakkuk wanted to see that again. Therefore Habakkuk asked God to show His works more! Habakkuk longed for God to do a work that was evident to everyone as a work of God. He prayed that revival would be known at a definite time and place (in the midst of the years), not just as an idea in someone’s head The prayer of Habakkuk shows us that revival is a work of God, not the achievement of man.

Notice that Habakkuk askes for God to revive His (God’s) work. Often, what we actually ask God to do is to “revive my work,” but I must have a heart and mind for God’s work, far bigger than my portion of it. “Shake off all the bitterness of everything that has to do with self, or with party, and now pray, ‘Lord, revive thy work, and if thy work happen to be more in one branch of the church than in another, Lord, give that the most reviving. Give us all the blessing, but do let thine own purposes be accomplished, and thine own glory come of it, and we shall be well content, though we should be forgotten and unknown.’ (Spurgeon)

A Personal Prayer for Revival

There is something man can and must do for revival – simply cry out to God and plead for His reviving work. There must be a personal prayer: “LORD, revive me.” We too often blame the church for sin, corruption, laziness, prayerlessness, lack of spiritual power, or whatever – and we forget that we are the church. Pray for personal revival and diligently search yourself:

• Check your conduct – does your walk glorify the LORD as it should? How about your private conduct, which only the LORD sees?
• Check your conversation – is your speech profane or impure? Do you talk about Jesus with others?
• Check your relationship– are you living a growing, abiding life with Jesus?
• Check your attitude – are you filled with the joy of the Lord, kindness, and love?
• Check your priorities – are their idols in your life?

Habakkuk Asks God to Remember Mercy

Here we see two aspects of God’s character counter-balanced. God hates sin and at the same time is merciful to sinners. Naturally, Habakkuk hopes to see more of the mercy part than the wrath part but nonetheless recognizes that wrath against sin is an essential part of who God is. Habakkuk prayed knowing well that they didn’t deserve revival, so he prayed for mercy. The idea is, “LORD, I know that we deserve your wrath, but in the midst of your wrath remember mercy and send revival among us.”

In the world today many people focus completely on God’s mercy and grace while ignoring God’s justice. A well-balanced view of God needs to recognize both sides. May we pray Habakkuk’s prayer today for our nation: LORD, I know that America deserves your wrath, but in the midst of your wrath, remember mercy and send revival among us.

[1] Redmond, Exalting Jesus in Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, 187.

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One Year Bible Reading Plan: September 12

Download the full one-year Bible reading plan here:

One Year Bible Reading Plan

Proverbs 21-22

2 Corinthians 4

Clicking on the Scripture links above will open a new window where you can read the scripture from the New English Translation at Biblegateway.com or choose the Bible version you prefer to read. Check back each day to get the Scripture to read in the One Year Bible Reading Plan.

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Praying, Meditating, and Journaling the Psalms:

Choose one of the following Psalms: One of the following Psalms: 12, 42, 72, 102, 132.

1: Read the psalm through in its entirety.

2: Take one verse at a time and pray the verse back to God as it applies to your life.

3: Meditate on the verse and ask the Holy Spirit what He is trying to teach you about God, your Christian walk, or about yourself.

4: Journal what you prayed about and the results of your meditation.

5: Move to the next verse. Continue through the entire psalm this way.

6: Write down one verse that stood out the most to you today on a 3X5 card and carry it with you throughout the day. Memorize the verse and hide it in your heart.

---

Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template

Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.

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Week 37: September 11-17

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Visit our three retail experiences:

New in the Shop: Today’s Forecast

Here’s a forecast that is never wrong! God reigns and the Son shines! This tee proclaims God’s sovereignty and Christ as the Light of the World.

Armed and Dangerous

Goodness of God

God’s goodness is all around us, and He blesses us every day. This design reminds us that His goodness is running after us and overflows in abundance. So sing His praise and make it glorious!

Then Sings My Soul

From the hymn, “How Great Thou Art.” We can sing praise to God in all circumstances because God is good all the time.

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We Recommend:

Clicking the link on our recommended resources will take you to Christianbook Distributors’ website.

NET, The TEXT Bible, Hardcover, Comfort Print By Thomas Nelson The NET The Text Bible is a new approach to engaging God’s Word, with the attention and in-depth nature of your favorite podcast, as if you’re in such a thought-provoking conversation with a friend that you lose all track of time because you are communicating on a level that piques your interest on multiple subjects and emotions. With a four step Bible study approach: Talk to God; Encounter God and humanity; eXamine your heart; Talk to others, this Bible features study notes, questions and articles all designed to get you to dwell on the biblical stories; to let your heart and mind truly soak in the warmth of God’s wisdom and truth found in the Scriptures.

Focus on the Text:

• Text-ing the Text: use the 4-step process of Scripture engagement
• Big Q of the Text: big life questions with short answers
• Praying the Text: learn how to start praying God’s Word right back to Him
• Get to Know the Text: provides concise history of a major event or character
• Follow the Thread: navigate the Bible across topics
• Anatomy of the Text: describes parts of speech or important types of literature such as parables or apocalyptic books
• Terms of the Text: what you need to understand about some of the unique words in the Bible
• “Who is God?”: 100 short devotions on the person and character of God

More Features:

• Book introductions
• 8 full-color maps
• Clear and readable 9-point NET Comfort Print

Spiritual Formation Is…: How to Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence

Spiritual Formation Is…: How to Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence – eBook By Rod Dempsey & Dave Earley / B&H Academic Rod Dempsey and Dave Early draw on years of experience as pastors, church planters, professors, and transformed believers to equip readers to grow in their spiritual walk with Christ. Spiritual Formation Is challenges believers to grow upward, inward, and outward in their spiritual formation by loving God, loving one another, and loving our neighbors. Written in a down-to-earth, approachable style that invites readers to come as they are, Spiritual Formation Is introduces the principles, philosophy, and practice of sanctification.

Praying the Bible

Praying the Bible By Donald S. Whitney / Crossway Ever feel “stuck” when you try to talk to the Lord? Learn to pray the Scriptures and you’ll never be lost for words again! In this practical guide, the best-selling author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life shows you how to pray through portions of God’s Word, letting it shape your thoughts and petitions. 128 pages, hardcover from Crossway.

Wellspring Christian Ministries is a proud Affiliate of Christianbook Distributors.

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Visit our YouTube Channels for Christian playlists and our short animated devotionals.

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God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars

by Julia M. Bruce

What’s Inside God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars?

This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

• Scripture to memorize and meditate on
• Conversation Starters
  • Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
  • Romance Builders
  • Relationship Builders
  • Personal reflections
  • Date ideas
  • Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples

Now in the WCM Store! Buy your copy today for only $24.95

paperback edition

Also available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.

Join the community of couples on Facebook who are committed to intentionally growing their marriage and learning how to have a marriage that honors God. Here you can post photos of the different activities as you do them, ask questions of other couples, share how God is using this book to strengthen your marriage, and grow with other Christian couples. We’ll see you in the community.

---

Bible Studies, Bibles, Books & More

Looking for a Bible Study, Bible, book or Christian gift? We are an affiliate with Christianbook Distributors and receive an 8% commission on any item purchased through one of our links. However, the commission never increases your cost of any item. View some of our favorite items by clicking on the logo and thank you for supporting our ministry.

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Habakkuk 2:20

Habakkuk 2:20 brings to an end God’s response to Habakkuk’s argument against His choice of the Babylonians to discipline the southern kingdom of Judah. Now, verse 20 is a declarative statement which asserts that the Lord is in His holy temple, followed by a command which required that each and every one of the inhabitants of planet earth be silent because of the Lord’s presence. God’s intent is that His glory should fill the whole earth just as it has filled His temple and that man should know His glory fully. For this to occur, sin must be removed because God and His temple are holy. It is a place where no abomination can be practiced, and every thing in it leads to holiness of heart and life.

God Is In His Holy Temple

God is not found in any graven or molten images. Nor is He found in idols of wood and stone that are covered with gold and silver. He is in heaven, the habitation of his holiness, the place of his residence, where he sits on His throne and is seen and worshipped by the angels and glorified saints. His temple is described as being “holy” which means that it is set apart exclusively to manifest His personal presence to both human beings and angels.

The “temple of God” is no mere house of worship. The place of the Lord’s residence or “being” is heaven. God reigns in heaven, and fills heaven. God’s holy temple, therefore, is not in Jerusalem, but in heaven itself. The dramatic meaning of all this is simply that God has not abandoned his creation; he still sits upon the throne of universal authority and power. He is the Almighty and sovereign God who judges and rules over His creation.

God is on His Throne

From His throne, he surveys all the deeds, words, and actions of mankind. He observes the folly and stupidity of idol worshippers. He hears and answers the prayers of those who call on Him. In Psalm 139, the Psalmist recognizes that there is no place where he can flee from God. Verses 1-7 say:

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    and you discern my thoughts from afar.
 You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
 Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
 You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it.
 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
    Or where shall I flee from your presence?

A Living God

Unlike the lifeless, useless idols of the Babylonians, Yahweh is alive! He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and He resides in his majestic palace. Where the false gods of the Babylonians are silent, God calls on the earth in its entirety to be awestruck and silent when in the presence of a holy and sovereign God. Redmond states, “Habakkuk began his dialogue with the Lord in the form of a frustrated complaint about the state of affairs in Judah and God’s apparent silence about it. Now the prophet is hushed in reverential awe before the Lord in His temple.”[1] Chisholm notes, “This silence may very well be the prelude to his arrival in judgment (see chapter 3, as well as Zeph.1:7).”[2]

A Sovereign God

Yahweh is a living God. From His throne in his majestic palace, He rules the universe. Because He is alive, He alone has the power to save and deliver in times of need. Redmon writes:

He is enthroned in His temple. He is reigning over the universe He created. He is sovereign in all things. God is in control even when everything and everyone seems out of control. The whole world should be in silent reverence before His holy presence. The Lord’s presence in His temple means that He has not forsaken His people. His apparent silence should not be mistaken for abandonment of Judah (1:2). He will act to fulfill His purpose at the appointed time (2:3).[3]

The sovereignty of God is the fact that he is the Lord over creation; as sovereign, he exercises his rule. This rule is exercised through God’s authority as king, his control over all things, and his presence with his covenantal people and throughout his creation. His control means that everything happens according to his plan and intention. Authority means that all his commands ought to be obeyed. Presence means that we encounter God’s control and authority in all our experience, so that we cannot escape from his justice or from his love. 

Keep Silence Before Him

What does it mean to keep silent before God? It is to stand in awe of him and reverence him. To be subject to him, and silently adore him. The sovereign majesty of God should leave us so awe-struck that there are no words to say and we just fall on our knees in complete worship of Him. It is a time for us to think about God and our relationship with Him. This silence before God is a silence of reverence as you experience His presence, of meditation as you shut out the world and ponder the goodness and grace of the Lord; of heart searching as you confess your sins to God and pray for His forgiveness; and of earnest expectation as you anticipate heaven coming down with glory to fill your soul.

A comparison of Habakkuk 2:18-19 with this command and the declarative statement which precedes in Habakkuk 2:20 indicates that the command to be silent implies that unlike the gods of the Babylonians, the God of Israel and Judah is living and teaches His subjects, both men and angels. Thus, every member of the human race should remain silent in order to listen to the Lord teach them.

A Hushed Expectancy of God’s Impending Judgment

Ultimately, the command for the inhabitants of the earth remain silent indicates a hushed expectancy of God’s intervention and impending judgment. God’s glory, revealed in His actions and character will be made known one day. In that day of judgment all people will submit and become obedient and honor Him as Lord. For His glorious presence will manifest His sovereignty to one and all. Philippians 2:10-11 says, “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (ESV). May we say with the prophet Jonah, “When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple” (Jonah 2:7, ESV).

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[1] Redmond, Exalting Jesus in Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, 184.

[2] Chisholm, Handbook on the Prophets, 440.

[3] Redmond, Exalting Jesus in Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, 184.

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One Year Bible Reading Plan: September 11

Download the full one-year Bible reading plan here:

One Year Bible Reading Plan

Proverbs 19-20

2 Corinthians 3

Clicking on the Scripture links above will open a new window where you can read the scripture from the New English Translation at Biblegateway.com or choose the Bible version you prefer to read. Check back each day to get the Scripture to read in the One Year Bible Reading Plan.

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Praying, Meditating, and Journaling the Psalms:

Choose one of the following Psalms: One of the following Psalms: 11, 41, 71, 101, 131.

1: Read the psalm through in its entirety.

2: Take one verse at a time and pray the verse back to God as it applies to your life.

3: Meditate on the verse and ask the Holy Spirit what He is trying to teach you about God, your Christian walk, or about yourself.

4: Journal what you prayed about and the results of your meditation.

5: Move to the next verse. Continue through the entire psalm this way.

6: Write down one verse that stood out the most to you today on a 3X5 card and carry it with you throughout the day. Memorize the verse and hide it in your heart.

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Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template

Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.

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Week 37: September 11-17

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Visit our three retail experiences:

New in the Shop: Today’s Forecast

Here’s a forecast that is never wrong! God reigns and the Son shines! This tee proclaims God’s sovereignty and Christ as the Light of the World.

Armed and Dangerous

Goodness of God

God’s goodness is all around us, and He blesses us every day. This design reminds us that His goodness is running after us and overflows in abundance. So sing His praise and make it glorious!

Then Sings My Soul

From the hymn, “How Great Thou Art.” We can sing praise to God in all circumstances because God is good all the time.

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We Recommend:

Clicking the link on our recommended resources will take you to Christianbook Distributors’ website.

NET, The TEXT Bible, Hardcover, Comfort Print By Thomas Nelson The NET The Text Bible is a new approach to engaging God’s Word, with the attention and in-depth nature of your favorite podcast, as if you’re in such a thought-provoking conversation with a friend that you lose all track of time because you are communicating on a level that piques your interest on multiple subjects and emotions. With a four step Bible study approach: Talk to God; Encounter God and humanity; eXamine your heart; Talk to others, this Bible features study notes, questions and articles all designed to get you to dwell on the biblical stories; to let your heart and mind truly soak in the warmth of God’s wisdom and truth found in the Scriptures.

Focus on the Text:

• Text-ing the Text: use the 4-step process of Scripture engagement
• Big Q of the Text: big life questions with short answers
• Praying the Text: learn how to start praying God’s Word right back to Him
• Get to Know the Text: provides concise history of a major event or character
• Follow the Thread: navigate the Bible across topics
• Anatomy of the Text: describes parts of speech or important types of literature such as parables or apocalyptic books
• Terms of the Text: what you need to understand about some of the unique words in the Bible
• “Who is God?”: 100 short devotions on the person and character of God

More Features:

• Book introductions
• 8 full-color maps
• Clear and readable 9-point NET Comfort Print

Spiritual Formation Is…: How to Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence

Spiritual Formation Is…: How to Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence – eBook By Rod Dempsey & Dave Earley / B&H Academic Rod Dempsey and Dave Early draw on years of experience as pastors, church planters, professors, and transformed believers to equip readers to grow in their spiritual walk with Christ. Spiritual Formation Is challenges believers to grow upward, inward, and outward in their spiritual formation by loving God, loving one another, and loving our neighbors. Written in a down-to-earth, approachable style that invites readers to come as they are, Spiritual Formation Is introduces the principles, philosophy, and practice of sanctification.

Praying the Bible

Praying the Bible By Donald S. Whitney / Crossway Ever feel “stuck” when you try to talk to the Lord? Learn to pray the Scriptures and you’ll never be lost for words again! In this practical guide, the best-selling author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life shows you how to pray through portions of God’s Word, letting it shape your thoughts and petitions. 128 pages, hardcover from Crossway.

Wellspring Christian Ministries is a proud Affiliate of Christianbook Distributors.

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Visit our YouTube Channels for Christian playlists and our short animated devotionals.

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God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars

by Julia M. Bruce

What’s Inside God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars?

This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

• Scripture to memorize and meditate on
• Conversation Starters
  • Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
  • Romance Builders
  • Relationship Builders
  • Personal reflections
  • Date ideas
  • Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples

Now in the WCM Store! Buy your copy today for only $24.95

paperback edition

Also available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.

Join the community of couples on Facebook who are committed to intentionally growing their marriage and learning how to have a marriage that honors God. Here you can post photos of the different activities as you do them, ask questions of other couples, share how God is using this book to strengthen your marriage, and grow with other Christian couples. We’ll see you in the community.

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Bible Studies, Bibles, Books & More

Looking for a Bible Study, Bible, book or Christian gift? We are an affiliate with Christianbook Distributors and receive an 8% commission on any item purchased through one of our links. However, the commission never increases your cost of any item. View some of our favorite items by clicking on the logo and thank you for supporting our ministry.

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