QT 8/16/2022 Hab 3:7-9, Earth is not our reward

Habakkuk 3:7–9 (ESV) —

7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction;

the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.

8 Was your wrath against the rivers, O Lord?

Was your anger against the rivers,

or your indignation against the sea,

when you rode on your horses,

on your chariot of salvation?

9 You stripped the sheath from your bow,

calling for many arrows. Selah

You split the earth with rivers.

 

NOTE: These verses are not easily understood. In a literal sense, we see God's wrath coming. Third parties are in fear lest they get caught up in the march. God uses real armies of real nations (evil nations) to execute his wrath as he also uses forces of nature, the rivers. In all cases, God is in charge. But what about the innocents who die because of the few (the rich, the powerful, the evil)? Does God not care for them? Certainly he does and Jesus made a point of God's care for children. But if life is all there is, then this argument about 'innocent" children might be valid, or if Heaven was less than earth, the argument might be have a point. The problem is the misconception and logic used by people to describe heaven. Before sin enter the earth, God designed man and woman to live forever on a beautiful planet with purpose and work that was meaningful. They enjoyed relationships. They grew and learned about their surroundings. That was "eternity" for man before sin. The new heaven and the new earth will be similar. It will be without sin; it will be beautiful; it will be fulfilling; it will have relationships; it will have purpose; and it will be with God. No innocent (if such a thing exists) will miss out by dying early. No one deserving of better (if that person exists) will get less than they deserve. And, in my opinion, the only persons where the argument might hold is babies and young children.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I truly believe our reward is in heaven and not on earth?
2. Do I believe that this earthly planet is not my retirement home?
3. We have a mission and we need to be about it. The reward will come later

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for your ultimate control. Continue to work your will. Help me to be about your will. Help me to know where I can have the most impact for the gospel.