Habakkuk 1:4 This is why the law is ineffective
and justice never emerges.
For the wicked restrict the righteous;
therefore, justice comes out perverted. Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
and justice never emerges.
For the wicked restrict the righteous;
therefore, justice comes out perverted. Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
My Old Testament devotional reading this morning brought me to the book of Habakkuk, it is a small but fitting book for the turmoil in today's society, if you doubt it, read the passage below. It speaks of destruction and violence and people who love to argue and fight. All to often today our government leaders take a bandaid approach to the problems we face. Whether it be from the deficit to dealing with crime or drugs they tend to pass legislation that may look like it will do something on the surface but never gets down to the root cause of the problem. It is like trying to fight cancer with a bandaid.
John MacArthur comments " as hands rendered useless by cold, the impact and ineffectiveness of the law was paralyzed by the corruption of Judah's leaders". As was the case then, all too often now, politicians try to use a tragedy in order to legislate a political agenda, one which does nothing for the root cause of the problem. Look at the "paralyzation" in Washington today. They can't agree on anything. And why not? The problem is a heart condition, the condition of human hearts in a nation that has lost its way. We have a sin problem and the cure won't come from legislation. It can only come from hearts transformed by grace through faith, faith in God, the Rock of Ages.
Read some of the words from the hymn "Rock of Ages"
Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law's commands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.
can fulfill thy law's commands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.
save from wrath and make me pure.
Habakkuk 2:4 "Look at the proud!
They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked.
But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God. New Living Translation (NLT)
They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked.
But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God. New Living Translation (NLT)
In Christ,
Mike
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Habakkuk 1:3-5 New Living Translation (NLT)
3 Must I forever see these evil deeds?
Why must I watch all this misery?
Wherever I look,
I see destruction and violence.
I am surrounded by people
who love to argue and fight.
4 The law has become paralyzed,
and there is no justice in the courts.
The wicked far outnumber the righteous,
so that justice has become perverted.
The Lord's Reply
3 Must I forever see these evil deeds?
Why must I watch all this misery?
Wherever I look,
I see destruction and violence.
I am surrounded by people
who love to argue and fight.
4 The law has become paralyzed,
and there is no justice in the courts.
The wicked far outnumber the righteous,
so that justice has become perverted.
The Lord's Reply
5 The Lord replied,
"Look around at the nations;
look and be amazed!
For I am doing something in your own day,
something you wouldn't believe
even if someone told you about it.
look and be amazed!
For I am doing something in your own day,
something you wouldn't believe
even if someone told you about it.
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