Even If…?
How will it ever happen?
This question comes to mind every time I think about “the knowledge of the glory of the Lord filling the earth as the waters cover the sea.” (Psalm 72:19; Habakkuk 2:14; Isaiah 11:9).
It was surprising for me to read Matthew Henry’s comments on Habakkuk 2:14.
As Habakkuk was watching and waiting for the Chaldeans to attack Judah in God’s judgment, God offered Habakkuk this hope of eventual deliverance when the Chaldeans would be ruined by God’s judgment of them. God gives Habakkuk this promise; “For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14).
In the commentary Matthew Henry says, “It was the honour of God, as a God of impartial justice and irresistible power; for by the ruin of the Chaldean monarchy (which all the world could not but take notice of) the earth was filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, v. 14. The Lord is known by these judgments which he executes, especially when he is pleased to look upon proud men and abase them, for he thereby proves himself to be God alone, Job 40:11, 12. (https://www.christianity.com/bible/commentary.php?com=mh&b=35&c=2)
In time and history people saw the glory of the Lord in the judgment of the Chaldeans! Henry states that all the world would have heard of the exile of Judah and then of the ruin of the Chaldeans. They would have (incorrectly) given all the credit for Judah’s exile to the gods that the Chaldeans served but then the people of that later day would have given God the credit for overtaking the Chaldeans.
In a way we still think like them. If whatever happens in the world benefits us, we give God the glory. However, if as Christians, we think that a negative result comes, then the devil or some other god has outdone the One True God.
In an act of justice God uses the Chaldeans to execute His judgment on Judah, His own people. Even Habakkuk knows it is deserved (Habakkuk 1:2-4).
After asking God why He would use people more wicked than themselves to judge His people, Habakkuk realizes that it is that One True God who is ruling over all and bringing all judgment to those for whom He wills it – Judah first and then the Chaldeans in His time.
Christian sisters (and brothers who may read this) we have to see that in 2020 The One True God still rules and reigns over all. Viruses, elections, Chinese corruption, accusations of Russian collusion, financial disaster staring us right in the eyes. Will we trust God as Habakkuk did? Will the glory of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea because we, and all of His people, glorify Him with our lips and reflect His glory in the way we live our lives?
Will we do it with or without a mask?
Will we glorify Him in the way we teach the next generation of His Sovereign Rule over all?
Even if there are no figs on our trees, grapes on our vines, or the fields yield no food?
Will we do it no matter who wins the election? (Proverbs 21:1)
Will we say with Habakkuk, “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.” (Habakkuk 3:17-19)
And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen. Psalm 72:19