ONE WHO EMBRACES
Today’s Reading: Habakkuk 1-2
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Seleucia was the seaport from which Paul and Barnabas left with John Mark for their first missionary journey (approx. AD 49, see Acts 13:4). Part of the ancient (man-made) harbour can still be seen. In AD 70 it became the base for the imperial Roman fleet. In the light of our key verse, imagine the military and merchant navies sailing over the vast seas. The breadth and depth of the seas are symbols of the knowledge of the glory of the Lord which is predicted for a future time by Habakkuk (Habakkuk 2:14).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Habakkuk 2:4, 14
Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith.
…For the earth will be filled
With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,
As the waters cover the sea.
“Habakkuk” means “One who embraces.” This prophet, motivated by love, embraced his people by warnings of imminent attack by the Chaldeans (Babylonians/modern Iraq) and by God’s mercy and restoration at a later time. He reminds Jerusalem that God is “from everlasting,” and that He is “The Holy One,” Who is “of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness.” When Jesus bore the sins of the world in His embrace He cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Could Habakkuk 1:13a be the reason that Jesus was forsaken? Think about it!
The Lord gives His answer in chapter 2. We are thrust forward to future times when God’s message will be common knowledge, written on “billboards,” as one translation of Habakkuk 2:2 puts it, or would you believe television or even a blog? The 16th century priest, monk, teacher, and pastor, Martin Luther, staked his life on the words of Habakkuk 2:4b, words which are quoted in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38, “The just shall live by his faith.” For more of Luther’s story click here. A special person in my life, George Upton, said to me, “Jesus reached out His arms to embrace the whole world, and we nailed His hands to the cross.” Indeed that embrace does encompass the whole world today because of His cross.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Your disciples, Lord Jesus, were puzzled and no doubt filled with fear as they tried to piece together what they knew about the Messiah from their Hebrew Bibles (read Isaiah 53). I pray for the discipline to spend time today thinking about these things. I’m filled with wonder, love and worship for Your amazing grace revealed in the Gospels, which the Apostles were yet to write. Amen! Amen! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
My son, David Reynold, our photographer, and his wife, Kathy, call their ministry, “World Embrace” (WE). Please pray for them as they embrace the people of Uganda (click here for a prayer focus).
I’m overcome with emotion just now, and I must pull myself back to loving God with my mind, and not just my heart, in order to complete the blog. It occurs to me that discoveries of natural laws, which God built into the cosmos, would revolutionize our ability to communicate God’s truth (all truth is God’s truth). Here I am typing on a laptop computer and posting what is written at the speed of light around the world. In 1517, Martin Luther, a 33-year-old theology professor at Wittenberg University, walked over to the Castle Church in Wittenberg and nailed a paper of 95 theses to the door, hoping to spark an academic discussion about their contents. I’m nailing this blog to a satellite 22,500 miles above earth, and “the earth” is “filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14). Of course, just as Luther’s words were not read by all, so not all will read my words here. Nevertheless, the potential is there for wide, in-depth coverage (like the sea). During the Second World War years, 1939-1945, I travelled to church each Sunday in the same way that Habakkuk might have travelled, by horse and carriage (buggy). No, we were not Amish. Millions of country people did this.
Yours for putting God’s message to humanity on billboards, on television, on the internet, and also communicating one-to-one God’s love and salvation,
David
P.S. Behind the Crossroads Centre in Burlington are the satellite dishes which, like billboards, make the message plain so that “He may run who reads it” (Habakkuk 2:2). Also, Crossroads has used billboards such as the one below on Bloor Street, Toronto.
The view from the top of the Crossroads Centre in Burlington, Ontario. You can see several satellite dishes in the background. This was during the summer of 2012, when we featured a full-sized replica of the Old Testament Tabernacle as part of Crossroads’ 50th Anniversary celebrations. My grandson, Adam Mainse (Ron & Ann’s son), was one of our tour guides.
Another view of a satellite uplink dish from the roof of the Crossroads Centre. The faithful sacrificial prayers and financial support of partners in ministry (you and me) make it possible to send God’s Word around the world.
A billboard in downtown Toronto in the late 1970’s advertising a new program called “100 Huntley Street.”
Such calmness in the photo of the seaport at Seleucia. Such power in the scripture of Habakkuk, David’s message, and legacy. The peace that surpasses all understanding is our, saints—guiding our minds and hearts in Christ Jesus. Wishing you all a blessed day in the Lord.
Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!
Psalm 96:9 ESV
Give Me Jesus! (Rev. Billy Graham/Fernando Ortega)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y16oxqTENxs
P.S. Forever thankful to you, in heaven, for 100 Huntley Street and 100Words, David Mainse—a manifestation of Habakkuk’s prophecy. Thank you to all the Mainse family who carry it on for the next generation.
Amen Beverlee!
Yes, thank you, Mainse family, for carrying on this blog. It is such a blessing!
Yes I agree. Thank you Mainse family. Although I had never met David, I miss him. We are so blessed with his blog . Norma Jean, I think about you often and say a prayer for you.
We live in a world that is ever changing, I thank our Heavenly Father that he never changes. To God be the glory.
Blessings.
Amen Beverlee, Eleanor C. and Nan. Blessings to al .
Amen Beverlee, Eleanor C and M and Nan. Many Blessings!
:VICKY WROTE ON TUESDAY THE 17th:
I have often wondered why I am here on this earth. What is my purpose for being here? I am 59 and I have yet to find out. How do I do that? I wish someone would tell me specifically why I am here?
You are in my thoughts. As I was reading Living Truth Devotional TODAY/ ( My Daily Journey with Christ), the Writer (?Brett McBride or Charles Price) spoke on Spiritual Gifts and actively seeking them by getting involved and serving others…
it should be On-line if you go on Internet to access… Thursday, April 19 Devotional
Here’s the devotional you’re writing about, from “Living Truth Television”:
SPIRITUAL GIFTING
“…so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” Romans 12:5-6
After Paul’s sight was restored in Damascus, it cannot be said of him that he sat around, hoping for some kind of spiritual gifting from God to suddenly pop up and help him. He took immediate action and began preaching in the synagogues. In 1 Corinthians 14:1, he tells us to “eagerly desire spiritual gifts.”
Spiritual gifts are those skills and abilities God gives to His people to enable His church to fulfill its task. It is the same task for us as it was for Paul – to reach our world for Christ. We first accomplish that by bringing our lives under the authority of Jesus, allowing Him to take our weaknesses as well as strengths, and corporately, through the body of Christ, work towards fulfilling His purpose on earth.
When Paul says, “Eagerly desire spiritual gifts,” the underlying meaning is to eagerly desire to serve others. We are to actively seek our gifts by getting involved. Whether it is on the front lines or behind the scenes, it is doing humbly and faithfully whatever God has given us to do. In the process, we will discover where God has gifted us and feel energized and motivated by what we are doing, as well as encouraged by discerning men and women of God who begin to recognize God’s enabling in us. We need not feel intimidated if something seems beyond our reach because the Holy Spirit is our empowering and spiritual gifts are often discovered by taking risks.
The New Testament lists 22 spiritual gifts in all; among them healing, prophesy and teaching, but it is not a comprehensive list. There are other spiritual gifts in widespread use today such as music, writing, technology and counselling that are recognized as an important and valid gifting from God for His church. Many of us also have natural gifts which God may prosper to further His agenda. The best time to develop our spiritual gifts is early in our Christian faith, otherwise we risk becoming complacent, especially concerning activities we think do not involve us.
We mature in our faith as we engage and serve. God has uniquely gifted every Christian but we do not have the right to insist on any particular gift. God gives as He wills and every role is needed in order for the church to function well. Paul said to Timothy, “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you” (2 Timothy 1:6). We do this by actively getting involved and the guidance of God will ultimately place us in the role He has for us within His church.
PRAYER: Gracious God, I trust Your promise that every Christian is uniquely gifted by You. Help me to discern where my gifting lies and enable me to fulfill my role within Your church. Thank You, Lord.
Thanks Rob.
amen Nan we are thankful that God never changes
Lianne Hogg
YES INDEED! God never changes nor will He ever forsake us or leave us…..thank you Lord….
May God bless all His children today, keep each one faithful and confident in Him, and about the work He has prepared for each of us. In Jesus’s great name, amen
prayers are urgent!
DESPERATELY needing an advocate! Community Resources is looking for the right person; pray they find someone for me;
have TONS of pressure on me, still have ants; Lord enough is enough!
Now also have the retaining wall falling down had engineer look at it and, of course, the city takes no responsibility of the hill behind,
Lord I can’t take much more of these issues; I have prayed and ask for continuing prayer for a financial breakthrough to clear up all the upgrades, and this fence issue….Lord You know how much I can handle, I am at the end of my rope! I can’t handle anymore!
No one else has problems with the dirt on the hill,only me! Please Lord I don’t know what do do; I can’t dwell on this; my mental illness goes wild! Lord please help me! TY
I get out of the house in the evenings as I could hurt myself if I don’t go out!
I have dealt with this mental illness for years, Lord, I try and be positive but everything is thrown at me and I can’t handle it! I just want to swim, help others where I can and be happy in my home, Lord Please help me!
I have the back room which would help with finances; However Lord I pray that You would hand pick me the right person…again, Lord I don’t know what to do! Lord please help me! In Jesus name I Pray amen
Just begin to give thanks and praise Him–only, Sah–entrusting all your problems to Him and surrendering completely. Give thanks and praise and worship and trust Him to take care of everything for you and He will. That is all you need do.
Great photos of the satellite dishes! and the billboard; beautiful seascape of the setting sun!!
Christ is the one
who embraces his people.