Suggested Readings: Psalms 20, Habakkuk 3:2-15, Luke 18:31-34
The theme that runs through each of today’s texts is that we serve an all-powerful God. Habakkuk begins his response to God by praying, “Lord, I have heard the report about you and I fear”. He goes on to talk about God’s splendor and radiance, but then about God’s power over the earth and the destruction of evil. Some people today are uncomfortable with the idea of a vengeful or destructive God or dismiss it as a depiction of “the Old Testament God.” But in a way, it gives me comfort. I find peace in the assurance that God has dominion over all, and that ultimately God’s plans will be accomplished – and not just in a global sense, but for every single one of us. I have confidence that, as David does in Psalm 20, I can call upon God and He will hear me:
May He grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your counsel! We will sing for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.
Of course, the culmination of God’s power is manifest on Easter – not just by conquering death through Jesus’ resurrection, but in the fulfillment of centuries of prophecies. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells his disciples:
“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be handed over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him, and the third day He will rise again.”
During this Lenten season, let us remember the sacrifice that our Lord made for us, and that our Lord’s divine purpose will ultimately be fulfilled.
Bryon Balint
