![\"Habakkuk](\"http:\/\/www.barbdahlgren.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Habakkuk-1.5.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nHabakkuk<\/strong> How many of us have felt this way? We ask God, \u201cHow long do I have to wait? Why are letting this happen to me? Where are you?\u201d<\/p>\n God responded to Habakkuk and told him to be patient, to wait and see! God was doing a whole bunch of stuff behind the scenes that Habakkuk wasn\u2019t aware of. (Habakkuk 1:5-11) Things are not always what they appear to be on the surface. God is aware of everything and has not forgotten us or his promises to us.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Job<\/strong> But finally Job reached his breaking point and lost it. He said, \u201cI cry out to you but you do not answer? You have become cruel to me.\u201d In other words, \u201cWhere are you, God? Don\u2019t you even care what I\u2019m going through?\u201d<\/p>\n God didn\u2019t say, \u201cOh I\u2019m sorry, Job. I\u2019ve been so busy I haven\u2019t had time to consider your dire situation.\u201d His response was, \u201cListen Job, who are you to question me? Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?\u201d (Job 38:4) God goes on to explain why he is God and Job is not. (Job 38 \u2013 41)<\/p>\n God doesn\u2019t do this to prove he is great and Job is nothing. God was telling Job not to lose sight of who God is. God is God and perfectly capable of controlling everything. But more than that, God wasn\u2019t trying to teach Job as much he was trying to open his eyes, so he could see from a different perspective. And we know Job got the message because he said, \u201cI have heard you, but now I see you.\u201d (Job 42:5) That\u2019s some deep spiritual stuff.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n David<\/strong> However, David seemed to have the ability to pray himself out of despair by focusing on who God is. He goes on to say, \u201cI trust in your mercy. My heart rejoices in your salvation.\u201d (Psalm 13:5-6)\u00a0 David was the master of positive \u201cself talk\u201d by focusing on God.\u00a0 Look at Psalm 42:5-8 which basically says, \u201cWhy are you down cast, O my soul? Remember God\u2019s greatness! Hope in God! Praise God!<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the deal on despair. We can\u2019t afford to rely on our feelings. Feelings are misleading. We must focus on what we know. Sure we can tell God how we feel, but let\u2019s also tell him what we know. \u201cLord, I know you are here with me. I know you care deeply about what I\u2019m going through. I don\u2019t always know what you are doing but I know you are doing something. I know you are great. I know you are merciful. I know you love me. I know you will work this big mess out so you can be glorified.\u201d<\/p>\n Remember, the opposite of despair is hope. Hope from a spiritual perspective is not just wishful thinking, it is assurance. So no matter how bad our situation is, we can be assured of this \u2013 we have Christ in us which is our hope (assurance) of glory. (Colossians 1:27)<\/p>\n The definition of despair is to lose all hope. Hope is vital to the Christian walk. Hope is what keeps us going when trials surround us. If our eyes are cast down in despair we see only our weary feet … Continue reading
\nHabakkuk was a prophet, a messenger from God. God\u2019s people had problems with their dedication and Habakkuk was given the task of telling them to return to God. Well, no one was interested in his message. Habakkuk was frustrated with God\u2019s people, with life, and with God. Finally enough was enough! Habakkuk lost it and let God know exactly how he felt. \u201cHow long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, \u2018Violence!\u2019 but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong?\u201d (Habakkuk 1:1-6)<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nJob is another example. He tried his best to remain loyal and trust God even after his ten children died, his wealth was lost, and his skin was rotting. Yet he kept his faith saying, \u201cThe Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.\u201d (Job 1:21) Also, \u201cShall we receive good at the hand of God and shall we not receive evil?\u201d (Job 2:10)<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nDavid was a man after God\u2019s own heart but he wasn\u2019t beyond frustration. He was anointed king of Israel but Saul wasn\u2019t going to relinquish the throne. David had to stay in hiding. Even after Saul died David had turmoil. There were battles to be won. There was the whole adultery thing with Bathsheba and God allowing their first born son to die. There were times David felt that God was distant and said, \u201cHow long will you forget me God? How long will you hide your face from me? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?\u201d (Psalm 13:1-2)<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"