This message of mercy under God's chastening hand is very needed. We have many questions in our difficulty. God's answer is for us to yield to him and bear chastisement submissively in repentance and faith. He will yield to our humbling ourselves. There's no other way out. First, this is the hope of God's people: “We will not die.” — Habakkuk 1:12, “Are you not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O LORD, you have ordained them as a judgment, and you, O Rock, have established them for reproof.”
Whatever comes upon us is for correction and not destruction. We are tried, chastened, and humbled, but not cut off. We go to Babylon for our good [Jeremiah 24:6].
Therefore, hope, when things are hard. Draw near to God, when you are afflicted. Wait, and be patient. This is one sign of God's elect, they overcome struggles, and endure to the end. 1 Peter 1:5 “who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
It is best for us to yield. God will be gracious, and he always does right. Let him purge the dross, and bring you to his glory. Let him show you what's wrong, and how to be right. Lamentations 3:40, “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord.” Repent of your sins, and ask forgiveness. Humble yourself, and you'll be exalted. Many have tried to use God to get the world, or turned their back to him for it. Turn around, BE USED, and he will relent.
Secondly, here's our question, “Why?”
“You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?”— Habakkuk 1:13
Why is God afflicting me? Why is he doing this? Why doesn't he just give me obedience? I've been suffering and trying, but I can't overcome this sin. “Lord, why are you not hearing me? I'm under oppression. This job is terrible, and my marriage is failing.” Why do false gospels flourish, and our preaching is Spiritless?
We know, but we need answers. We have faith, but unbelief made even John the Baptist say, “Are you the One, or are we to wait for another?” Unbelief is in the strongest Calvinist. Its strength is affliction! We know the doctrine, but experiencing the truth is harder. It must go from head to heart. It must be something God does in the storm.
We cannot comfort ourselves. “Lord, I've prayed, fasted, and served. Why no husband or children? Why am I impoverished while unbelievers cheat and prosper? Why doesn't this pain leave me?” We know it's for good, but we need answers. Psalms 119:67, “Before I was afflicted I went astray,but now I keep your word.”
God wants us to draw near, so he can speak to our hearts. He wants our unbelief corrected, lest it turn to indifference and rebellion. He doesn't want us running off, and saying, “I'll comfort myself. I'll make myself happy.” No, this is the last thing that we want to do. Come to Jesus, and say, “Master, why could we not cast this one out?” I all your unbelief and your questioning, bring it unto God!
Thirdly, here is our final question: is this forever? “Is he then to keep on emptying his net and mercilessly killing nations forever?”— Habakkuk 1:17
Is the prospering of the wicked and oppression always? If so, we'd join the other team, because righteousness would not rule, and might would make right.
It's important to know that God is in charge of time tables. 1 Thessalonians 3:4, “In fact, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction; so it turned out, as you know.” Sovereignty hasn't been given to Satan. God can disburse the enemy, when he sees fit, but he has a purpose in our hardships.
This is a glorious message of grace. When the enemy and the struggle have brought us to God, then their peace robbing power is broken. Our conscience is cleansed by Christ's blood, and the Spirit is given for obedience. Now, we see God's will as most important, and we are going to do it. Now, we're walking by faith, and chastisement ceases. Hebrews 12:11, “Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
We handle the ramifications of our sinfulness with our head on the Lord's bosom, and our hearts in tune with him. He restores our comforts. Isaiah 57:18, “I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners.”
Surely, Babylon's oppression ends at the appointed time. Surely, repentance is received.
If we do not repent, however, then the promise does not apply to us. We will die in our sins. God will never change the terms of salvation and do our will. He'll never become enslaved to our corruption. He must glorify Christ. These are the terms of peace. He'll never stop chastisement without repentance.
Many think they can make God bless their own desires. No, we can only be broken to do God's will, so we can be happy. Therefore, yield, and it will be well. Babylon will release you, and the affliction will cease. You'll go out with wisdom, knowledge, and usefulness. You'll have words of comfort, instruction, and warning, because you've learned by experience. You'll serve him better than before.
Finally, let each of us embrace Christ, when he afflicts us. Know that your Master is good. You will not die, but you will be corrected. For this, we are thankful. Now, we fear God. We learned patience under the yoke. Now, go walk in love.
