Press On...
“The righteous shall live by faith!”
If you’ve ever read your Bible and questioned how helpful it is… If you’ve ever felt a disconnect between what you’re reading on the pages of Scripture and the real, boots on the ground stuff you’re facing daily… If you’ve ever felt your love for or desire to be in the Word wain… I hope this email is an encouragement to you.
As I mentioned last month, I’m in the middle of a study of Habakkuk using this resource from Lydia Brownbeck. Habakkuk is not a book that I would naturally quote in ordinary conversation but as I sat chatting with a dear friend this week who is dealing with a difficult situation, I cried out to the Lord. I didn’t have the right words to offer comfort or help and I needed the Lord to give them to me.
The book of Habakkuk came to mind, which was a real surprise. I’m only in chapter 2 and so far Habakkuk has asked the Lord how long he’s going to have to cry out with no response. He’s wondered aloud why God isn’t intervening as the nation of Israel sins.
God responds by telling Habakkuk that he’s raising up the Babylonians to judge Israel. But the Babylonians are worse than the Israelites! They are “bloodthirsty;” committing atrocities against their captives. Habakkuk reels – this doesn’t make sense.
So Habakkuk affirms the Lord’s character but then raises his concerns – “Why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?” He sits and waits for the Lord’s answer to his complaint and the Lord reminds him that he knows exactly who he is dealing with in the Babylonians and he will judge them too. Not exactly easy life application if you’re looking for a quick fix…
My friend has been enduring an excruciating trial and asking the Lord “why?” This is exactly what Habakkuk does. The answer he receives isn’t one he likes. It feels unjust. Habbakuk says as much to the Lord and then stations himself to hear the reply. He is unsatisfied with what the Lord is doing, and he doesn’t understand. Even in that, though, he doesn’t fester in unanswered questions; he brings his complaint to the Lord and waits for his response. In Habakkuk’s eyes, the plan that has been revealed (God raising up the Babylonians to judge Israel) isn’t compatible with the Lord’s character.
Maybe that feels true for us as well – the suffering we’re enduring, the sadness we feel, the brokenness in the world around us – doesn’t feel compatible with the goodness, kindness, and gentleness of the Lord that we read about in the pages of Scripture. Habakkuk doesn’t understand the plan but he trusts God more than what his eyes can see and we’re called to do the same.
As Habakkuk waits for the Lord to reveal his good purposes, he speaks honestly, and the Lord doesn’t rebuke him for his questions. God deals patiently with Habakkuk.
This was a good word to my friend and a balm to my own soul.
But it came through a string of unlikely verses about the “bloodthirsty” Babylonians.
God’s word is always applicable. We might have to sit with it for awhile, meditating on the truths we find there. We might have to wrestle with seeing some things we don’t particularly like. We might have to open it even when we don’t feel like it. We might not see how the pieces fit together or come away with a Band-Aid verse we can slap on our suffering. But the Lord will use it like a scalpel to clean and care for our hearts and then he will use it also to apply the balm we need.
If you’re struggling to open your Bible because you don’t remember what you studied after you rise from your chair or you just don’t see what it has to do with the real situations you’re facing, let me encourage you with this… open it anyway. This is an act of faith. When we trust the Lord to work through the means he has promised, and we obey even when we don’t understand, we are walking by faith and the Lord is pleased.
Hospitality Help
A Few of My Favorite Things…
What I’m reading:
How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight by Jane Yolen: This is a bit of a different recommendation from me but we’ve been loving this book at our house. It has helped a lot with our preschooler’s bedtime routine (we act out all the pages). He loves it and so do we!
I Cheerfully Refuse - Another lovely Leif Enger book. He’s such a gifted writer and has such a unique voice. I enjoy the language of his books as much as the storyline (maybe more in this case).
Habakkuk Study - This is the study I mentioned in the post above - I’m continuing to enjoy it!
This Article about The Vanishing Gift of Boredom - I found this both very convicting and interesting!
What I’m using:
This Sleep Mask - I’ve tried a few but so far this is my FAVORITE. We have an oddly huge skylight in our bedroom and it is so bright all night long. This blocks 100% of the light and makes me sleep so much better.
Hatch Clock - Maybe you can sense a theme here between my book recommendation, this clock, and the sleep mask - I’m apparently paying attention to sleep a lot more these days. But this really is a great little clock! It is easy to use and works great for my early riser who needs to know when it’s time to get out of bed. I tried using an off-brand but had to return it when it synced to my alarm and woke him up at 5:30!
Air Filter - I did a TON of research before I bought this little guy last year. I had pneumonia for 9 months in 2025 and I got very nervous about my lungs so I bought this filter. We keep it in our living room and all of us noticed the immediate impact it had with our allergies. It is truly shocking how much of a difference it made! I think I’ll get one for the second floor at some point.
What I’m eating:
Tuscan Chicken Pasta – To be fair, I don’t actually follow the measurements of this recipe but it is yummy! Even better if you add some italian sausage and bacon! This is a solid recipe you can dress up or leave as is. Everyone liked it in our house!
Kale Salad - This is a magic recipe that made my very vegetable averse daughter enjoy her veggies! It’s delicious, relatively simple, and always a crowd pleaser - the homemade candied pecans are especially beloved.
Gluten Free Bread - This bread is delicious. It falls apart terribly but it tastes great (especially with Kerrygold butter). Its a perfect side for the Tuscan Chicken above!
What I’m listening to:
Room for Nuance with Andy Davis – I read Andy Davis’ book The Power of Christian Contentment years ago and I’ve been talking about it ever since - it is so good! I found this conversation incredibly encouraging as Andy talked about Scripture memorization and past ministry experiences.
Priscilla Talk with Clare Morell - I enjoyed this conversation about technology use in families. I haven’t read Claire’s book yet but I appreciated the honest way she approached a difficult topic even if I don’t apply the concepts exactly as suggested.
All-Sufficient Merit - This is a new song that our church is learning right now so it’s been on repeat for me. The words are beautiful!
Habakkuk 2:4 proclaims: “The righteous shall live by faith!” May that be the motto of our lives!