Why Do You Show Me?...

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http://www.straightpaths.mzbc.com/

WHY DO YOU SHOW ME? Devotion for May 15, 2011
"Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth."
Habakkuk 1:3, 4.

God allows His prophets to see things that others might not see. Habakkuk writes of what he saw around him. He saw iniquity and grievance, spoiling and violence, strife and contention. He saw the wicked compassing the righteous. What he saw greatly troubled him. Because of what he saw, he cried out to God. Habakkuk was so disturbed he asked the question, "Why dost thou shew me?" It is a good question. Why would God show us? What do you see around you? What do you see in America?

It seems that many cannot see the problems that exist in our day. They cannot see the rampant disrespect that is so obvious to most of us. They cannot see the apathy and lukewarm condition of professing Christians. They cannot see the drift toward apostasy and compromise that prevails in so many churches. They cannot see the increasing acceptance of immorality and perversion that invites God's judgment. They cannot see the worldliness that continues to gain entrance and acceptance amongst our churches. As a matter of fact, much of the world does not see what we see. To them, nothing is too seriously wrong.

Again we ask the question, "Why dost thou shew me?" Perhaps, like Habakkuk, God shows us so that we might pray. The spiritual dearth that surrounds us should motivate us to earnest and consistent prayer. We desperately need a spiritual awakening in our day. America is in deep trouble. Another reason Habakkuk was made aware of his surroundings was so he might speak out concerning the wickedness of his day. We, too, need to lift up our voices against the ungodly direction of our society.

There will always be those who do not want to hear, cannot see, and refuse to believe that anything is seriously wrong. If God had not shown Habakkuk, he would not have been able to see. We need for God to show us the needs in our nation, and in our own hearts, that we might be burdened and seek Him for change.