CAC LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 : TOPIC – KEEP ALIVE YOUR WORK, O LORD
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CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH THE LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
DATE : Wednesday, September 28, 2022.
(World Rabies day, Ask a Stupid Question Day and Day for Universal Access to Information)
TOPIC: KEEP ALIVE YOUR WORK, O LORD
READ: Habakkuk 3:1-13
[1] A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.
[2] O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.
[3] God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.
[4] And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.
[5] Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.
[6] He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.
[7] I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.
[8] Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation?
[9] Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers.
[10] The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high.
[11] The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.
[12] Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger.
[13] Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.
MEMORISE:
O LORD, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).
EXPOSITION
Habakkuk had long been grieved by the apostasy and injustice in Judah. He was a man who trusted God, but was finding it difficult to come to terms with why God allowed sin to somehow thrive and go unpunished. Knowing God must have a reason for His actions, he asked in faith, Why? (1:3). In love, God honours Habakkuk’s sincere question, as today commemorates World Rabies Day, Ask a stupid Question Day, and Day of Universal Access to Information, but the answer caused him even greater concern in verse 6.
God intended to use the vicious Babylonians to punish His chosen people (vv. 5-11). This prompted the prophet’s second question, How? How could God use such an evil people to punish His own people, the Jews (1:12-2:1)? God patiently explained that Israel’s sins merited captivity, and that Babylon’s sins would eventually be punished. Of course, no sinner would go unpunished, even if it seems the sinner is thriving, or getting away with his escapades (cf. Prov. 16:5).
Once Habakkuk knew God’s plan, he did not dispute it. Rather, his concern turned to his people who would soon be in captivity. He was afraid they would lose all knowledge of God in a heathen culture, and prayed, O LORD, revive Your work… (3:2; literally “keep alive Your work”). This concern was answered by a majestic appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ (vv. 3-15), through which Habakkuk understood that God would indeed judge His enemies (v. 12) and deliver His people (v. 13). Habakkuk’s final response? Total submission to God’s sovereignty. We also need such an assurance, and visitation of divine revival in this time of ours. Let us strongly pray for them.
PRAYER POINTS
1. My Father in heaven, grant me the Spirit to be sensitive to sin and keep myself from its pollutions, in Jesus’ name.
2. O Lord, in Your mercy, revive Your works in Your Church in the land.
3. Release the spirit of genuine repentance upon our churches, O Lord.
HYMN FOR TODAY:
CAC GHB 815
1. Conquerors and over comers now are we,
Thro’ the precious blood of Christ we’ve victory
If the Lord be for us we can never fail,
Nothing ‘gainst His mighty power can e’er prevail
Conquerors are we, thro’ the blood of Jesus
God will give us victory, thro’ the blood of Jesus
Through the lamb for sinners slain,
Yet who lives and reign again,
More than conquerors are we,
More than conquerors are we,
2. In the name of Israel’s God we’ll onward press
Overcoming sin and all unrighteousness;
Not to us but unto Him the praise shall be,
For salvation and for blood bought victory.
3. Unto Him that overcometh shall be given,
Here to eat of hidden manna sent from Heaven,
Over yonder He the victors palm shall bear,
And a robe of white, and golden crown shall wear.
Amen.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Matthew 4 – 5
AUTHOR
C. A. C. Worldwide
Remain blessed