On a late afternoon when the clouds gather around the peaks and the lightning begins to play its games over the mountain meadows, the high country is no place to be, but it can be spectacular to watch from a safe distance. At such times the hills can be alive with the sound that isn’t music, but it has a magnificence of its own.”
                    –Louis L’Amour  (Passin’ Through)

       “Then the Lord will be seen over them, And His arrow will go forth like lightning. The Lord God will blow the trumpet, and go with whirlwinds from the south.”
                    –Zechariah 9:14(NKJV)
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I am in the process of organizing and cleaning up some of my Bible studies.  In completely redoing Habakkuk one verse keeps coming back to my mind.  Note, that prophecies in the Old Testament could have dual purpose:  first, it was for the people of the time, and second, it could be eschatological in nature.  Let’s ponder for a while Habakkuk 1:5.

          “Look among the nations and watch–be utterly astounded!  For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.”  (NKJV)
          “Look among the nations! Watch! Be horrified! Be frightened speechless! For I am accomplishing a work in your days— You would not believe it even if you were told!” (NASB)
 
Be astounded, be frightened, be speechless–something is coming.  Regarding the time it was a prophecy against Judah.  God was raising up the Chaldeans to judge the evil of the inhabitants of Judah.  But then, chapter 3 is also eschatological in nature.  God gives a glimpse of the future to Habakkuk.  How much of this Habakkuk understood, I don’t know, but he was told to be ready and to be astonished, and to realize that he would not understand it all.
     Daniel was given a more specific and detailed glimpse into the future, and it made him sick.  Daniel 8:27 states, “And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days…” (NKJV)  In chapter 7, he was grieved because of the vision, and in chapter 10 he says that he has no strength left.  The things that Daniel saw not only did something to him spiritually but they affected his mind, emotions, and physical body.
     What is it that could be so astounding?  What is it that would make a man, such as Daniel, sick upon seeing it?  Here’s a little homework assignment–read Revelation.  Don’t try to decipher all the things in the book, but look at what is going to take place.  In the “Seals” there is destruction and death.  The “Trumpets” strike at nature.  We know that nature “groans and labors” (Romans 8:22), but after the time of the Tribulation, the curse will be removed.  The 5th Trumpet speaks of “locusts” rising from the bottomless pit to torment man.  Think for a moment of the sounds that will come forth during this horrendous time.  There will be moaning and groaning, along with screaming and howling.  Man will feel the pain and torment of his evil ways.  The 6th Trumpet tells that the angels that were bound at the Euphrates will be released to kill one third of mankind.  These are only the Seals and Trumpets, the Bowl Judgments are yet to come.  Can you get an idea of what Habakkuk and Daniel might have seen?  Can you understand a little bit better why God tells Habakkuk that he would be astounded and won’t believe what is being told him?  Can you see why Daniel might have become sick for several days?
     Now, get this!  Man is so foolish, so stupid!  Revelation states this after the 6th Trumpet, “But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.  And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”  (9:20-21, NKJV)  Not just stubborn or foolhardy, but stupid and blasphemous.  Now is the time of salvation!
     One more thing that might have astounded them.  A couple of weeks ago, Annie and I were sitting in the living room, when POW!!!!  There was a lightning bolt that hit thirty feet in front of the house.  The flash and sound were at the same time and it got the attention of both of us as well as our two cats.  POW!  The flash was bright!  Annie said she could smell it.  Now, I turn to Revelation 4:5, “And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices…”  It will not be a little lightning show that we see in the sky or the rumblings that follow.  It will not be fireworks, but it is a CRASH!  A brightness that we cannot understand, comprehend, or handle.  The throne of God is glorious beyond all imagination.  It is a horrifying sight in one manner of speaking; frightening because it is where the power and glory of Almighty God sits.  It is the place of the majesty of God, the Judge of the universe.

The house you live in don’t matter so much; it’s your feelin’s that count.”
                    –Elmer Kelton  (The Day the Cowboys Quit)

       “But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, ‘God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’”
                    –James 4:6  (NASB)
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This morning we finish with Proverbs 3.  One thing about the Proverbs: they come right at you and it is up to us to heed its instruction.
          (NKJV)
          .31 — Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways;
          .32 — For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD, but His secret counsel is with the upright.
          (ESV)
          .31 — Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways,
          .32 — for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence.
There is no benefit in feeling any sort of envy for the wicked as God detests wickedness.  “Only a fool would wish to be detestable to God!” (NKJV Study Bible)  To envy someone is the first step to becoming like him.  That is dangerous for you may end up choosing his ways.  To be a friend of evil, of the world, is to become God’s enemy.  Know this that sin breaks our intimacy and fellowship with God, therefore we should not envy those in the world.  God especially takes notice of those who know to do right.  Ezekiel speaks to the priests, those responsible for knowing the law and doing of the right, “Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.  This is an indictment, not only against those in the pulpits, but also the priest of the home.  There are certain people who are actually an abomination to the Lord–that is an intense loathing.  One of those is a person who would use their power to injure others.  Look at what happened to Pharaoh when he became hard towards the Lord–a lesson to remember.  On the other hand those who choose the right way God will become a close friend and will even confide in them.
          (NKJV)
          .33 — The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the just.
          .34 — Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble.
          .35 — The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the legacy of fools.
          (ESV)
          .33 — The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
          .34 — Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.
          .35 — The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.
God will literally “sweep away as the dust” those who live a wicked, lawless life.  The term “wicked” literally means, “lawless,” thus Paul writes about the man of lawlessness in Thessalonians–the antichrist.  Michael Jermin writes, “The debauched people of the world dwell in the dirty houses of their wicked lives, and cannot be gotten out of them.”  In the house of the wicked there is no true joy, no true cheer.  Swinnock says this regarding the house of the wicked, “How can thy sweetest dish be savoury, when the curse of God is thy sauce?”  A curse of God, imagine that!  The house of the wicked can expect no more; they shall be promoted and lifted up, just like Haman–lifted up on their own gallows.  Someone said that stupid people only add to their own disgrace.  
     However, the faithful family is an inspiration.  The blessings of the Lord are felt in this home.  As J.L. Flores writes, “The righteous are submissive to the Divine will–they are the ‘lowly who are willing to learn of Him.'”  Have you ever been to the home of the wicked and then visited the home of the righteous?  Oh my!  What a difference.  The person, the family who follows after righteousness is certainly blessed and favored of God.  
     In our walk, and as we look at the above verses there is no middle ground, no gray area.  There are no intermediate steps between wickedness and righteousness.  There is one or the other, no inbetween.  There is either eternal honor and glory or shame and death.  To the wise comes honor and as Dan Dick tells us, “The truly faithful person doesn’t have to go seeking acclaim.  It will come to them simply because of the commitment they exhibit.”  See, as the fool mocks the things of God, he is in turn mocked by God.  

 

The darkness shall never overtake me, but there is little light in my life.”

                    –D.C. Adkisson  (Return From Tincup)

        “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”

                    –1 Peter 5:7  (Amplified)

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One of my favorite hymns is “Never Alone.”  God has promised that He would never leave us alone.  That takes us to Psalm 142, written by David when he was hiding in a cave.  George Wood states, “The kind of cave you’re in often determines the tone of the prayer you pray.”  David was in depression, deep anxiety and utterly desperate.  Was God even there?  Know this–we are never isolated from God!  Let’s look at David’s experience while at the cave of Adullam.

          1 — I cry out to the LORD with my voice; with my voice to the LORD I make my supplication.
          2 — I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble.
          3 — When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path.  In the way in which I walk they have secretly set a snare for me.
          4 — Look on my right hand and see, for there is no one who acknowledges me; refuge has failed me; no one cares for my soul.
          5 — I cried out to You, O LORD; I said, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.
          6 — Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low; deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.
          7 — Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Your name; the righteous shall surround me, for You shall deal bountifully with me.”  (NKJV)

     David, with his crushed soul, is crying out to God for help.  By himself, chased, distressed, David cries out.  He cries out to the all-powerful, self-sufficient One who alone can help him.  The isolation of the cave, maybe with intense darkness, David declares that he is in dire need of intervention from the Lord.  He was trapped in darkness, if he leaves the darkness of the cave, his enemies are waiting for him.  What a quandary!
     In the darkness of life’s episodes we can’t see, but God can.  In the midst of trials when the weight is overwhelming God is there and knows our situation.  Know this friend, God knows the path you are on, He knows the plight you are in, and in fact He is the director of your way.  David does realize that God knows his path but then falls back into despair–woe is me, no one cares for my soul.  Which one wins out?  Does despair overtake you, or do you see the hand of God?
     David is in a weakened state, physically, mentally, and spiritually.  He knows his current weakness, but he also knows that God is there–God will surround him, give him comfort and bring him out.  God knows our weakness and is there to lift us up in whatever kind of cave we may find ourselves.  Notice that David ends this psalm with a declaration of faith.  Even in times of utter darkness, he finds an inner light to help him–faith is that light.  Sometimes God allows new troubles to come our way so that we can throw ourselves on God in new, desperate ways.  There is a song that says, “I’m desperate for You.”  I have often wondered if we really are desperate for God.  What would happen if God would put us in a desperate situation?  Would we lose hope and become bitter and give up in defeat?  Or would we look up to God?  Steven Lawson says that “Desperate times produce desperate prayers.”  In desperate times it is imperative that we keep our mind focused on the Lord.

          “There may be days of darkness and distress,

          When sin has power to tempt, and care to press;

          Yet in the darkest day I will not fear,

          For ‘mid the shadows, Thou wilt still be near.”

                   –Henry Leigh

Can’t ignore it [past]; can’t forget it. What you can do is move beyond it.”
                    –L.C. Matthews  (The Promise)

       “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.  To him be glory for ever and ever.  Amen.”
                    –2 Timothy 4:18  (NIV, 1973)
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     If you are somewhat familiar with Greek mythology and history you should recall the Gordian Knot.  It was an intricately tied knot dedicated to Zeus and a prophecy connected to the knot said that whoever could untie it would rule Asia.  On the scene comes Alexander the Great, who was challenged to untie the knot.  Instead of working to untie it, in typical Alexander fashion, he took his sword and slashed through the knot.  A couple of things to mention:  a tangled mess was cut by the power of Alexander’s sword; the second thing is that the rope was now useless.
     Another thought comes from my experiences fishing.  There were a few times I had myself, what is referred to as a “backlash.”  They usually occurred in closed face spinning reels.  In short, it was a tangled nest of fishing line that was a complete aggravation, and often much easier and faster to simply cut it and discard the line rather than take the time to try and untangle it.  
     To think of that backlash reminds me of the words by Sir Walter Scott, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.”  Don’t think of what you have done to deceive, but glance at the great deceiver.  From the beginning that has been Satan’s method–deception.  What a mess he tries to make of a person’s life.  There seems no way to untangle it.  Divorce, alcohol, split families, lost jobs, and on and on we could add to the tangle.
     Now, let me interject here.  I had three “moms” who raised me:  my Mom, my Grandma, and my Aunt Bern.  What the world would call a tangled mess, a dysfunctional family–a “backlash”–I thought was normal.  In fact, I thought I had it pretty good.  Wow, three moms to watch over me and care for me.  It was a tangle that brought glee to the deceiver, but there was another Person at work–the Holy Spirit.  How many times over my life have I thought and pondered on the words of Paul, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NIV)
     Whereas Alexander used his power and sword, the Holy Spirit patiently begins to untangle the mess, the backlashed life.  Slowly, methodically, and painstakingly He unravels the mess.  He doesn’t cut and discard, but uses the life before Him.  It may take years, in fact, it may take a lifetime for Him to completely undo the mess of the backlash, the knots that were formed because the devil wanted a life destroyed.  Joseph saw this in his life when he told his brothers the truth of his seemingly “backlash” life.  “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good…” (Genesis 50:20, NKJV)  So don’t be discouraged, the Holy Spirit is working, surely and steadily on each of our lives.
     This Mother’s Day, take time and thank God for your life, your upbringing; even though it may have been a “mess” and difficult, be thankful for those involved knowing that God is using it to work out for His glory.  I am so thankful for my Mom, my Grandma, and my Aunt.