Day 215 - Cling to God (HABAKKUK 1-3, ZEPHANIAH 1-2) - Year 2
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TODAY'S READING:

• Habakkuk 1-3, Zephaniah 1-2

WORD OF THE DAY:

-  Cling

Habakkuk and Zephaniah both offer profound lessons on faith and repentance during times of spiritual decline and impending judgment. These prophets lived during King Josiah’s time, witnessing both revival and spiritual decay. Their messages resonate deeply, calling us to cling to God amidst uncertainty.

Habakkuk’s name, derived from the Hebrew verb “embrace,” signifies his journey of clinging to God through difficult questions and complaints. Written as poems of lament, Habakkuk engages in a dialogue with God, questioning the apparent injustice and wickedness in the land.

Habakkuk 1:2: “How long, O LORD, must I call for help? But you do not listen! ‘Violence is everywhere!’ I cry, but you do not come to save.”

God responds by revealing that He is raising the Babylonians as instruments of judgment. Habakkuk is instructed to wait patiently for God’s appointed time, trusting in His sovereignty.

Habakkuk 2:1: “I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the LORD says and how he will answer my complaint.”

Habakkuk’s complaints are summed up in five woes against unjust economic practices, slave labor, misuse of alcohol, filthy idolatry, and greed. Yet, God assures that He will bring down the Babylons of this world. As His people, we must cling to God like Habakkuk did:

Habakkuk 3:2: “I have heard all about you, LORD. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy.”

Despite impending hardships, Habakkuk finds strength and joy in the Lord, his salvation.

Zephaniah, a contemporary of Josiah, delivers harsh words to Judah, foretelling God’s sweeping judgment due to their idolatry and unfaithfulness. He emphasizes the necessity of repentance:

Zephaniah 1:18: “Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord’s wrath. In the fire of his jealousy the whole earth will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live on the earth.”

Zephaniah’s message is clear: repent while there is still time. Seek the Lord, do what is right, and live humbly.

Cling, the word of the day, means hold on tightly to

Reading Habakkuk and Zephaniah, we see a clear message for today. Where is our pride? On ourselves, our wealth, or our status? Both prophets warn against trusting in material security.

Habakkuk 2:4: “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.”

This is echoed in the New Testament:

Romans 1:17: “This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight … ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life.’”

Galatians 3:11: “So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life.’”

Who or what do we cling to? Just as a child clings to a parent for security and guidance, we are called to cling to God, finding our security and guidance in Him.

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