Habakkuk 2:3
For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
it speaks of the end
and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
it will certainly come
and will not delay.
This is God’s response to Habakkuk’s complaint. God tells Habakkuk that there is a revelation that is a response to his complaint. There is an answer from God referred to as a revelation. We worship a God who not only responds to our prayers but even to complaints!
If people under you complain, do you get defensive and offended? Learn from God, who without protesting or showing anger He responded to Habakkuk. Complaining is human, it is not irreligious. We don’t have to go around with resentment and declaring that “I am not complaining.” Complain if you must, God can handle it pretty well.
In times when mental illness is affecting many people around us, we should allow people to express themselves. Those who have complaints should complain. Complaining solves the problem halfway. Complaining is different from inciting others while pretending to complain.
Complaints help leaders to get feedback on what is going on. Complaints highlight immediate priorities. Complaints point out what needs to be addressed or clarified. Only incompetent and dishonest leaders get uncomfortable with complaints and end up victimizing people. Complain if you must, God can handle it.
When we allow people to complain we show that we are mature and above petty feelings of getting offended. When we allow people to complain, we demonstrate to them that we care enough and love them and can listen to them even when the talk isn’t good. To graciously handle a complaint without threatening or privately questioning the complainant is the epitome of excellence in leadership.
When we allow complaints we kill the brewing resentment by breathing fresh air within the ranks. When we allow complaints there is no need for murmuring and there will be no murmuring.
How we treat and handle those who complain determines to all and sundry whether you are really tolerant or your tolerance is baseless claims. God allows complaints and responds to them without an issue, so should we.
In our text today, God responds to a complaint by Habakkuk. God tells Habakkuk that the answer or the revelation to his complaint is already in place. God tells Habakkuk to wait for it, for it is waiting for an appropriate time. God tells Habakkuk that it may linger but it will come. Then God assures Habakkuk that it will not delay. Even if it seems to take long, it will not delay. It waits it lingers it won’t delay!
God is responding to Habakkuk’s limitations as a human being. Human beings want instant response, but God says it may not be the right time. Human beings are anxious. Nobody likes delay. God knew that Habakkuk will think it is a delay, therefore God assures Habakkuk that what he thinks it’s a delay is not a delay. It waits it lingers it won’t delay!
It is important to keep people updated. You may know because of your privileged position that all is well and there is no delay. But do the people who could be anxious know it? Keep communication lines open. Update people even if they don’t ask for an update. Be sensitive to what makes people anxious and respond to it to calm their anxiety. God calms the anxiety of Habakkuk. It waits it lingers it won’t delay!
If you enjoy seeing people anxious and desperate. If you feel powerful keeping people in suspense as they worry and you observe them. If this is how you like it, you are not fit to be a leader. Seek urgent medical attention in a psychiatric clinic. It should be normal for us to seek to calm the anxieties of others. It should be normal for us to answer questions that people have even before they ask. If it is not normal you are abnormal. God wants his prophet to be calm and therefore God reassured him. It waits it lingers it won’t delay!
Whatever promise God has made to us. Whatever answer we expect from God. Whatever favor we look forward to from God. It will come if it is according to His will. It waits it lingers it won’t delay!
What God has promised is waiting for the right time. What God has promised may linger waiting for the right time. What God has promised and will do for us will never delay. We may think it is delaying. We may feel it is delaying but it will not delay. It waits it lingers it won’t delay!
Have you given a faithful tithe and offering and you are waiting for blessings from heaven? Have you shown love for your enemies and you have let God do the revenge? Have you served the LORD diligently and you hope for blessings? This is the answer God gives to you. It waits it lingers it won’t delay!
Dear God, make me a good leader after you. Dear God, make me tolerant of others. Dear God, make me understanding. May Your promises come to pass and May I be patient knowing that it may linger but it won’t delay. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
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Amen 🙏🙏
Amen!
One of my favorite texts. The assurance that God never delays to fulfill His promise is comforting. Thanks for the devotional.
Hallelujah!
I lacked internet to prayerfully read God’s word today.A powerful text! Dear God, thanks for the assurance that it will finally come.I am blessed.
Thanks Doc.
Hallelujah!