OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
JANUARY 15, 2023
READ: Habakkuk 3 (Focus vs.17–19)
MEMORY VERSE
“I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:18
INSIGHT
Monica prayed feverishly for her son to return to God. She wept over his wayward ways and even tracked him down in the various cities where he chose to live. The situation seemed hopeless.
Then one day it happened: her son had a radical encounter with God. He became one of the greatest theologians of the church. We know him as Augustine, Bishop of Hippo.
“How long, Lord?” (Habakkuk 1:2). The prophet Habakkuk lamented God’s inaction regarding the people in power who perverted justice (v. 4).
Think of the times we’ve turned to God in desperation—expressing our laments due to injustice, a seemingly hopeless medical journey, ongoing financial struggles, or children who’ve walked away from God.
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.
By: Glenn Packiam
INSIGHT
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 (see the Insight for January 3).
By: Bill Crowder
APPLICATION
What are your laments today? How can you turn them into praise?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“To all who mourn… He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair…” Isaiah 61:3 nlt
He may seem to being “late” but He is always on TIME
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“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…”
PRAYER
“Dear Jesus, remind me of who You are and of what You’ve done in my life.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“GARMENT OF PRAISE” David Ingles
Put on the garment of praise
For the spirit of heaviness
Lift up your voice to God
Praise with the Spirit
And with understanding
Oh magnify the Lord!
All you that mourn in Zion
I have authority
To appoint unto you in Zion
Oil of joy that will set you free
Lift up the hands that hang down
Lift up the voice now still
Give unto God continuous praise
Sing forth from Zion’s hill
Sing to Yahweh, alleluia!
Worship and praise our God
Praise and adore Him
Bow down before Him
Oh, magnify the Lord
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE DAILY IN 2023
GENESIS 34-38
MATTHEW 10:21-42