Remember the Character of God.

One of the key attempts of our soul’s enemy is to have us forget the nature of our God when we are going through difficult times.  If Satan can get us to question God’s commitment to us, the goodness of His nature, the purpose of His actions in our lives then he achieves victory because in that moment we oppose God’s working in our lives rather than embracing, trusting, and looking forward to His loving touch.

In light of our enemy’s strategy it is no wonder that James, the half brother of Jesus, states “Blessed is the man who keeps on going when times are hard. After he has come through them, he will receive a crown. The crown is life itself. God has promised it to those who love him. When you are tempted, you shouldn’t say, ‘God is tempting me.’ God can’t be tempted by evil. And he doesn’t tempt anyone” (James 1:12-13).

To guard his own heart from the waves of shock at God’s actions and doubts about the goodness of God that were washing over his mind, Habakkuk begins his interaction with God with what he knows of the character of His God:

Lord, haven’t you existed forever?
    You are my holy God.
    So we won’t die, will we?
  Lord, you have appointed the Babylonians to punish your people.
    My Rock, you have chosen them to judge us.
Your eyes are too pure to look at what is evil.
    You can’t put up with the wrong things people do.
    (Habakkuk 1:12—13)

Whatever you are wrestling with today remember the character of your God, the strategy of your soul’s enemy, and the only response we are to have. Take a moment and talk to God about these challenges, inserting throughout it the truths you know about your God.

Remember to read Habakkuk as you go through the week.