OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONAL >> SUNDAY 15 JANUARY 2023
OUR DAILY BREAD TODAY 15TH JANUARY 2023
TOPIC: FROM LAMENT TO PRAISE
Memory Verse: Habakkuk 3:18
I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Today’s Scripture & Insight: Habakkuk 3:17–19
OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE BELOW
Habakkuk’s prophecy records a dialogue between God and the prophet over the spiritual condition or desperate need of His people. That conversation includes the great statement of Habakkuk 2:4—“the righteous person will live by his faithfulness”—which is referenced three times in the New Testament (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38). Habakkuk 3, however, is different. It has the characteristics of a psalm, even to the point of including musical instructions for how it was to be presented—“On shigionoth” (v. 1). One scholar says this description refers to highly emotional poetry. Also, some translations add the term Selah at the end of verses 3, 9, and 13—a term often used in psalms. Finally, in verse 19, additional instructions are offered: “For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.” As such, this song becomes a good example of a national or corporate lament
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OUR DAILY BREAD TODAY
Each time Habakkuk lamented, God heard his cries. As we wait in faith, we can learn from the prophet to turn our lament into praise, for he said, “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (3:18 italics added). He didn’t understand God’s ways, but he trusted Him. Both lament and praise are acts of faith, expressions of trust. We lament as an appeal to God based on His character.
And our praise of Him is based on who He is—our amazing, almighty God. One day, by His grace, every lament will turn to praise.
Reflect & Pray
How have you responded when you experienced exclusion? What makes rejection so hard?
Saving God, help me to trust in You when the obstacles feel insurmountable.
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