Saturday, October 31, 2015
This book of
Habakkuk records the prophet’s dialogue with God concerning the things Habakkuk
questions. The prophet Habakkuk was saddened by the violence and corruption he
saw around him and he poured out his heart to God. He was able to ask God hard questions—in this case, he
essentially asked, “God, how can you punish Judah for its sins by using
Babylon, when Babylon’s sins are even worse. He goes on to describe what
the Babylonians did to their enemies? In Habakkuk 1:15 we read,
Habakkuk fears that the people of Judah will be caught in the nets
of the Babylonians and the Babylonians will not be punished. Instead they will
rejoice and celebrate. “Nets” for the Babylonians are their gods - gods that
give them power, wealth, and control. The Babylonians enjoyed capturing people
because the captors helped them live in their pleasures. The more people they
conquer, the more powerful and wealthy they become. It’s a game of power. The
Babylonians love to gather their prey.
Do we get caught in nets today?
Are there things that trap us and control us? Do we get caught up by things
that love to make us captive? Are we tempted by nets of fame,
fortune, power, greed, beauty, wealth? Are we trapped by what we traditionally
call the seven deadly sins - pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth?
It happens too
often that I am tempted by the hooks and nets of fashion and beauty. I love
beautiful clothes and dressing in the latest colors and fashions. I also know
full well that I have a closet and makeup drawer filled with everything I
really need, yet I’m often caught by the hook and pulled into the net of
fashion and beauty.
It happens too
often that I spend too much time trolling social media sights looking at the
latest happenings on Facebook and seeing the trends on Pinterest. I know full
well that I can easily be caught in the trap of more, more, more by what I see.
It happens to
often that I sit in front of the TV watching too much of 24 hour news cycle and
other programming that just really doesn’t add to the value of my life.
Let’s pray that when
”hooks and nets” tempt us, we will recognize the temptation, consider what
really adds value and meaning to our lives, and then choose wisely.
The
temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God
is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.
When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians
10:13 (NLT)