Living in the Spirit

October 24, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4

O Lord, how long shall I cry for help,
   and you will not listen?
Or cry to you ‘Violence!’
   and you will not save?
Why do you make me see wrongdoing
   and look at trouble?
Destruction and violence are before me;
   strife and contention arise.
So the law becomes slack
   and justice never prevails.
The wicked surround the righteous—
   therefore judgment comes forth perverted.

Then the Lord answered me and said:
Write the vision;
   make it plain on tablets,|
   so that a runner may read it.
For there is still a vision for the appointed time;
   it speaks of the end, and does not lie.
If it seems to tarry, wait for it;
   it will surely come, it will not delay.
Look at the proud!
   Their spirit is not right in them,
   but the righteous live by their faith. –Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:2-4

Dark campaign ads are described well in the above complaint that Habakkuk raises. The wicked surround the righteous— therefore judgment comes forth perverted. I am a strong supporter of the freedom of speech, but I do think whoever pays for those ads should be required to identify themselves. It is interesting to note that such behavior is not new.

God’s answer to this dilemma is important. Our purpose does not change even though evil tries to pervert it. We must continue to work toward God’s vision of the Kingdom of God being realized throughout the world.

Prayer: Lord, grant us the patience we need to continue our work by sharing your love.  Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.