‘A Hebrew National Faith’
(On the need to answer to a higher authority than oneself…)
When I first read through the readings for today I was struck by the words of the Prophet Habakkuk…they seemed to shout out the same thoughts and concerns of so many I hear around me…as though they were written for this very time. I was even more convinced that they were speaking to this moment when I read the passage in other translations…in particular the translation I relied upon when I was first coming to a deeper faith in my teens and early twenties, the Good News Translation.
I would like to reread that passage to you in that translation as I think it better sets the stage for today’s message. Listen and see if you hear echoes of what is going on around you as well…
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‘This is the message that the Lord revealed to the prophet Habakkuk…O Lord, how long must I call for help before you listen, before you save us from violence? Why do you make me see such trouble? How can you stand to look on such wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are all around me, and there is fighting and quarreling everywhere. The law is weak and useless, and justice is never done. Evil people get the better of the righteous, and so justice is perverted.’
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As I reflected back on that reading this past week I found myself thinking about two things. First, the enormous amount of blessings we seem to keep receiving from our Lord, and second, pondering just what it is that might keep us from truly living in the joyous freedom which all four gospel accounts say a relationship with our Lord Jesus can offer. Yes we take time, at least once a week right here, to share and to fellowship, but with all that is going on in the world around us, I worry that when we go back out of that side door, we pick up and shoulder some of those same concerns once again, that, or some other ‘companions’ that will surely weigh us down if we let them.
These commitments or concerns are very common, but are also things that can fully rob us of the peace and the joy that a life in Chirist has to offer…that peace that goes well beyond our understanding, and the joy that starts deep down within us, where our spirit and soul reside, rising up and pushing away the concerns of the world in the steadfast assurance of our Lord’s sure and abiding presence.
And as I thought more about those current worries and concerns, I also heard other, well-known verses from scripture…truths that are meant to guide and to comfort, but which too often are kept tucked securely away in our bibles, or in memories crowded out by the noise and ‘hurry’ of the day. And so I thought I would pit those rising concerns we have against some of those very verses in the form of a dialog between the ‘Voices of the world’, and the ‘Word of our Lord’.
On one side of the dialog we find a gathering of these voices of the world who are represented by one named HB. HB’s name is actually an acronym for ‘heavily burdened’, but he does not like for anyone to know that, for he would rather come across as one who is strong and capable of dealing with whatever may come across his path. ‘HB’ sounds much stronger and has a certain ‘punch’ to it…you know, ‘HB said this’ or ‘HB feels this way about that’ and so on. His achilles heel however, is that those who tag along behind him are far less confident and fully lack his bravado. As you will see, they prefer to dwell in HB’s shadow and let him speak on their behalf.
Our other speaker is simply a believer…she does not have a name of note, but rather just wants to be known as one who is fully convinced that the words and promises of God found all throughout the gospels are in fact true, and can be fully trusted. For purposes of our dialog we will just refer to her simply as ‘Believer’.
Now the setting for our discussion is a large, empty, cavernous hall…one where the walls echo back almost as loud as the conversation…one chosen by HB as he felt it would better reflect the strength he likes to try to convince others he has. It works just as well for ‘believer’ however, as even the softest most gentle whisper she speaks can be heard by all who are present.
…their conversation went something like this…not surprisingly, HB was the first to speak…
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HB ‘Good morning Believer, I am glad you agreed to come out and speak with us this morning. Lately my sources have told me that you have been sharing things which we here do not happen to agree with. ‘Sugary words’ all filled with hope and promise…things I don’t think can possibly be true, given what my eyes and ears clearly tell me! I think from what I have heard that you are way too optimistic, especially in the times in which we find ourselves. It is like you are not even listening to any of the news out there, regardless of which ‘bubble’ you may ascribe to! Do you really believe in the things you are telling others?’
Believer ‘Yes I do HB, in fact I am quite excited when I take note of all I see our Lord doing right here in our midst. But you are right in one respect, I do not listen to much of the news lately, as most of it is only ever depressing or worrisome. As for your comment regarding things I say that you do not agree with, I am sorry for that, but I only speak of what I hear from the gospel accounts.’
(By the way, during Believer’s introduction some of HB’s companions are tugging urgently at his sleeve and whispering in his ear…obviously wanting him to share their own concerns, or perhaps accusations.)
HB ‘My friends here keep reminding me that in truth, much of what we see around us and know as supposedly ‘good’, is all going to a ‘very bad place in a handbasket’ of late. In fact, I don’t know how you can hold on to even a small measure of hope or belief that our future is anything but a downhill slide! And a quick one at that!’
Believer ‘Oh HB, I am so distressed that you feel that way. Surely there are signs all around us that our good and faithful Lord is still very much present and active among us! What could you possibly feel is of that much concern that it could outweigh the presence of God’s Spirit of abiding love that is there for each one of us?’
HB ‘In truth Believer, I don’t actually know if that presence is real…or, if it is, just how effective it is…really, look around…in fact, ask any one of my companions here what is of utmost concern on their minds, and I am sure that you too will begin to wonder if God is even still out there!’
Believer ‘I would be glad to ask them HB, however they seem unwilling to speak up…sort of hiding behind you there in your fine broad robes of utmost bravado and confidence. Maybe you could tell me instead just what it is that has them so concerned.’
HB ‘Well I will! First, there is the most common one which is ‘fear’. Fear of so many things, so much so that it can absolutely paralyze a person! What do you have to say about ‘fear’ and of course, its everpresent companion, ‘worry’?’
Believer ‘You are right HB, fear and worry are a constant companion for many out there, and goodness knows, without the assurances we have from our Lord, they could certainly bog someone down. But Jesus tells us specifically, ‘do not be afraid little flock, for your father is pleased to give you the kingdom’. And again, if that is not enough assurance of God’s present love we hear the prophet Isaiah say, ‘draw near to God, and he will draw near to you’! How can you worry with a promise like that?’
HB ‘Well, you do have a point…but what about those who worry that they do not, or will not, have enough to get by…those who look at the resources they have and wonder just how long it will last given the state of the economy. Have you looked at grocery prices lately? What about people’s increasing sense of insecurity?’
Believer ‘It seems HB that you may have forgotten the words, ‘seek first the kingdom of God and his justice, and absolutely everything you need will be given to you’. Or the words we hear at the very start of our faith story when God called the herdsman Abram to follow after him telling him, ‘I will bless you, so that you will be a blessing to others’. Surely we do not need to be concerned about a lack of resources when there is so much all around us. We are so greatly blessed HB as followers of our Lord, that our greater concern should be how well we are taking those blessings and using them to bless those in our community! The Lord provides, you are asked to share…not to worry that you may not have enough!’
HB ‘Well maybe…but how do we know we can trust in those promises made so long ago? How do we know they will keep coming?’
Believer ‘Aha HB! You have just admitted that they come from the Lord…if you can believe that, then why start to doubt now? And besides, if you need any more proof, just take a good look around…truly we have been so greatly blessed…and there is no sign of it stopping! Just trust HB.’
HB ‘Well maybe, but what about those who are feeling lost or lonely of late? The world seems to be spinning faster than they are able to deal with? Loneliness, and its companion Depression seem to be gaining a lot of new converts of late! What about them?’
Believer ‘Oh HB, HB, do you not remember what Jesus’ parting words were to his disciples after the resurrection, and just prior to his ascension? He told them, ‘lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age’. And if that isn’t enough, remember the words we hear from Isaiah, words which have always been of bedrock comfort to me, ‘the Lord will make you go through hard times, but he himself will be there to teach you, and you will not have to search for him any more. If you wander off the road to the right or the left, you will hear his whisper behind you saying, “Here is the path, follow it”.’ Surely an assurance such as that should give a great measure of comfort! No?’
HB ‘It is hard to argue with you Believer, for if what you have shared is actually true, then what you have been telling others may be true as well. But honestly I never heard these words shared in this way before. You seem to have a very different take of the scripture accounts, in fact it seems that your faith is not the same faith in which I was raised at all. So much of what I was taught when I was young doesn’t seem to fit in with what you have been saying. Why is that?’
Believer ‘I think the Holy Spirit is moving today in such a way that is very different from what we have long been used to. You are right in that the times we are living in seem quite perilous and at least on the surface are rightly causing much fear and confusion. However one who believes in the Lord and listens to the words I have shared with you from the scriptures simply cannot lose hope…and…is surely not released from the call, in fact the obligation, to share the good news that God is still present…and that the Spirit is still active and engaged in the lives of any who honestly seek after God’s grace. I simply cannot surrender to all of your concerns in the face of who I know our Lord to be…I cannot just rely on myself, or on what my eyes see or my ears hear, without also listening just as closely to the voice of the Holy Spirit within my heart. I must trust in the one I love, the One who already loves me…
Fear and worry are a normal reaction to what is out there…but they are no match for the presence of God within our heart…
And as for being concerned about what you have or do not have, the Lord’s promise to provide for all we need to do his will is repeated in many ways throughout the scriptures. The Lord knows what we need, in fact the Lord knows what all of his children need all across the world, and that provision is constantly being provided…we just need to make sure it gets into the hands of those who need it…and especially here in our own community…
As for those who are feeling lost or alone…again this is a very common concern for so many of those whose care has been entrusted to us. Reach out, find the ones who need a kind word, a hot meal, or even just a smile or a ‘hello’ that shows you really care…these little things go a long way in keeping us bound together…
All of this HB will assist us in navigating our way through what seems like very unfamiliar territory of late. The words are there, and the promises, though of great age, are still true, and the evidence of God’s abundant blessings are all around us if we just take the time to look closely enough. Come HB, won’t you join with me in sharing the good news? Won’t you trust a higher authority as well?’
HB ‘Well, when you put it that way…maybe I shall…’
And let all God’s people say…amen
