S) "1 I will stand on my guard post
And station myself on the rampart;
And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me,
And how I may reply when I am reproved."
Habakkuk 2:1 (NASB)
O) Habakkuk knew that his people were in bad shape. He knew that the LORD would judge Judah like Israel, and that the violence, wickedness, and adultery (both physical and spiritual) was going to bring the wrath of God upon his people. This is basically what the first chapter is about. Based on the way this first verse is written, it seems that he fully expected God to answer him, but he didn't necessarily think it would be a favorable reply. He expected a rebuke. Going into it, he knew he was guilty (at least to some degree, of some sin or another). He shared in the guilt of the nation, at least in as much as he expected reproof from God. So, he prepared himself. Like a guard upon the wall of a city, he was alert and ready. He didn't know exactly what God would say, but he expected it to be hard to hear, I think.
A) This is, essentially, how I ought to approach Bible study each day. I need to be ready and alert, expecting God to speak to me. I should be humble enough to know that I need as much reproof as anyone, and that God's words will not necessarily be pleasant at first. I must keep careful watch over my own heart, so that my response to His reproof is as it should be. My edification, discipline, and growth are too important to leave unattended. I cannot assume that simply reading my Bible will be enough to change me into the man God desires me to be. I need to carefully study His words, and my response to His words, so that I am repenting when I need to repent, humbling myself when I need to be humble, and readying myself to act, when He calls me to act. Being self-aware has not always been my strongest character trait - besides, the Bible is clear that it is difficult to examine our own hearts. I need God to speak to me, and I need to listen. I need the honest reproof of my brothers in Christ, and my wife, to show me when I have a log in my own eye. But, specifically about this verse, I must ready myself before I even open God's Word, so that I am ready to examine His words and my reaction to them.
P) Father, You are a good Dad. You discipline perfectly, teach perfectly, reprove perfectly, and I am blessed that You are so good a Dad to me. In Your grace, I have the Holy Spirit, to guide me and correct me, to lead me through the Scriptures. Help me be mindful, that my study of Your Word each day should be productive, and that isn't always comfortable. I confess, though, that it's always good. Help me to prepare myself to listen to what You are saying through the Scriptures, and also to listen to the reaction of my heart. I want to repent when my reactions are wrong, and humble myself to submit to Your authority. You are a good God, and a good Dad. You would never ask me to change in a way that was anything less than blessing to my life. I place all of my trust in the fact, that Your discipline is good, Your correction is good, Your reproof is good. It's all for my good, and for Your glory. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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