Looking Unto Jesus – Part 6 | Sunday Service | September 13, 2020

We are glad that you all are back to praise and worship our living Lord, Jesus Christ!

We see, we are being bombarded with new news everyday, good and bad ones and it appears that things will never remain the same again, given the situation. But let me remind you, God was same, is same and will remain the same forevermore, for He never changes.

We walk by faith and not by sight. When problems appear to be big, it doesn’t mean those situations aren’t possible to overcome, trust God is in control, all you need to do is look unto Jesus!

Today again we will continue with our ongoing series, “Looking unto Jesus” (Part 6). And today we will learn how God raised a heathen king to discipline his very own people. Zeroing your distraction and focusing only on God is exactly what exactly “Looking unto God” translates from Hebrew.

O Lord , how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?

From the berse above and the story behind it, suggests that the servants of the Lord are deeply afflicted by seeing ungodliness and violence prevail; especially among those who profess the truth. No man scrupled doing wrong to his neighbour. We should long to remove to the world where holiness and love reign for ever, and no violence shall be before us. God has good reasons for his long-suffering towards bad men, and the rebukes of good men. The day will come when the cry of sin will be heard against those that do wrong, and the cry of prayer for those that suffer wrong. They were to notice what was going forward among the heathen by the Chaldeans, and to consider themselves a nation to be scourged by them. But most men presume on continued prosperity, or that calamities will not come in their days. They are a bitter and hasty nation, fierce, cruel, and bearing down all before them. They shall overcome all that oppose them. But it is a great offence, and the common offence of proud people, to take glory to themselves. The closing words give a glimpse of comfort.

Don’t think how long God is takimg to answer your prayers. In Habakkuk chapters 1 & 2, the prophet Habakkuk is asking lots of questions and seeking justice to his cries, saying, “God, when?”

God responds in the verse 5ts if the first chapter…

“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.”

Habakkuk was in confusion, just like we get confused sometimes when God fulfils our prayers. We sometimes receive a response that we arent expecting.

I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint.

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

When tossed and perplexed with doubts about the methods of Providence, we must watch against temptations to be impatient. When we have poured out complaints and requests before God, we must observe the answers God gives by his word, his Spirit, and providences; what the Lord will say to our case. God will not disappoint the believing expectations of those who wait to hear what he will say unto them. All are concerned in the truths of God’s word. Though the promised favour be deferred long, it will come at last, and abundantly recompense us for waiting. The humble, broken-hearted, repenting sinner, alone seeks to obtain an interest in this salvation. He will rest his soul on the promise, and on Christ, in and through whom it is given. Thus he walks and works, as well as lives by faith, perseveres to the end, and is exalted to glory; while those who distrust or despise God’s all-sufficiency will not walk uprightly with him. The just shall live by faith in these precious promises, while the performance of them is deferred. Only those made just by faith, shall live, shall be happy here and for ever.

Let me give you an example, when the prophet Elisha heard about the story of the rich yet leper, he sends for general Naaman. But rather than personally receiving Naaman when the latter arrives at Elisha’s house, Elisha merely sends a messenger to the door who tells Naaman to cure his affliction by dipping himself seven times in the Jordan River.

Imagine yourself in his situation. One time, second time and third time… We might have given up by then.

‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’

Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.

Ecclesiastes 3 tells us we need to be prepared but wait unto the Lord.

Habakkuk received an answer but not the answer he was expecting. And that was… “I am at work!”

O Lord , I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord , do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.

In chapter 1, Habakkuk is questioning impatiently and in Chapter 3, he has started giving glory to God as well as praising God. He is patient now irrespective of the way Habakkuk received a response, but he build immense patience in his heart. We see an immense change in the life of Habakkuk.

The Lord would revive His work among the people in the midst of the years of adversity. This may be applied to every season when the church, or believers, suffer under afflictions and trials. Mercy is what we must flee to for refuge, and rely upon as our only plea. We must not say, Remember our merit, but, Lord, remember thy own mercy.

The word of God is filled with promises and encouragement. Here are few verses…

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

I waited patiently for the Lord ; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord . Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!

Our soul waits for the Lord ; he is our help and our shield.

Are you worried that your prayers arent being answered? Or if answered, the response is not what uou were expecting? If your answer is yes, then you need to look unto Jesus, because He has the answer and He has His own ways.

Pray fervently and pray continuously. Do not cease to pray and to read from the word of God.

We hope you are  encouraged with today’s message. We look forward to connect with you all, next Sunday as well. God bless!