Maureen Trowbridge reviews two devotional books based on spiritual songs and poems.

Campbell McAlpine looks at Habakkuk, the prophet who cared.

"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways" (Heb 1:1). He knew how applicable the messages would be to future generations. God's voice to one man, or one people, is often his voice to many men and many people.

The setting of the so-called 'minor prophet' Habakkuk was one of despair. The storm-clouds were gathering over Jerusalem. Josiah, Judah's last good king, had been succeeded by Jehoiakim, the ruler who with fearful disdain burned Jeremiah's scroll on which was written God's message to Israel, Judah and the nations. The last forty years of Judah's history had begun, and God revealed to his prophet that the end was near.

God's voice to one man, or one people, is often his voice to many.

Habakkuk's Prophecy and Ministry

Habakkuk was a man with a deep concern for the situation. His name means 'love's embrace', and he had a love for God and for God's people. He embraced the prophetic ministry God had given him, despite its difficulties.

His prophecy can be summarised under four headings: a man with a burden, a man with a vision, a man with a prayer, and a man with a song. These four-fold concerns are not unique to Habakkuk, but rather display a pattern common throughout Scripture.

Moses was a man with a burden, given to him by God: "I have indeed seen the misery of my people...So I have come to rescue them" (Ex 3:7-8). He was a man with a vision: to bring them into a "good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey" (Ex 3:8). He was a man with a prayer: he cried to the Lord. He was a man with a song: his joyous proclamation, "I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted" (Ex 15:1), is hymn number one in the Bible!

Hannah was a woman with a burden: "O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me" (1 Sam 1:11). She was a woman with a vision for a son to give to the Lord all the days of his life. She was a woman with a prayer: she prayed and continued in prayer, pouring out her soul to the Lord. She was a woman with a song: "My heart rejoices in the Lord" (1 Sam 2:1).

Habakkuk's name means 'love's embrace', and he had a love for God and for God's people.

But Jesus is the pre-eminent man with a burden: "But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!" (Luke 12:50). He is the man with a vision: "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself" (John 12:32). He is the man with a prayer: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you" (John 17:1). He is also the man with a song: "When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives" (Mark 14:26). Let us now take a look at these elements in the book of Habakkuk.

A Man with a Burden

A God-given ministry will have a God-given concern. Habakkuk was greatly troubled by the apostasy of God's people and their wickedness. Like other prophets before him, such as David, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, he cried, "O Lord, how long?"

The more he prayed, the worse the situation became. Violence, iniquity, trouble, plundering and strife were everywhere in evidence. The law was powerless, and injustice ruled. It was then that God spoke to the bewildered Habakkuk, giving him a message which was even more disturbing. He was going to send against Israel a wicked, invading army that would show no mercy. Habakkuk knew all about the sin of God's people, but could not understand why God would use a people more wicked than they to bring judgment and wrath.

In his confusion Habakkuk did a wise thing. He lifted his eyes from the situation to God himself. He contemplated the character of the Almighty: "O Lord, are you not from everlasting?" (Hab 1:12).

What an example for us in our situations, even when there are circumstances we cannot understand! We know the absolute perfection of God. It is impossible for God ever to do anything unjust, unfair, or unrighteous. We know that, "as for God, his way is perfect."

In his confusion, Habakkuk wisely lifted his eyes from the situation to God himself.

We have entered a period the Bible calls the 'last days'. We are witnessing the fulfilment of Scripture. Sin and iniquity abound. God has given many a concern to pray for the situation and for the Church, and it is a privilege for us to do so. We know that God's purposes will triumph and so we can leave the results to him, confidently aware that in heaven there will be a multitude that no man can number, from every tongue, tribe and nation.

A Man with a Vision

With all the unanswered questions revolving in his mind, the prophet knew there was only one thing to do: stand, watch and wait. He was not disappointed. God spoke and told him to write down the vision, one which would be for an appointed time. Even though there would be a period of tarrying before its outworking, the prophet was encouraged to wait for it.

The vision was a denunciation of wickedness and of wicked men. The proud, the bloodthirsty, the covetous, the idolatrous and the violent may appear to prosper, but God pronounces his 'woes' against them. In the midst of the vision God declares, "The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea" (Hab 2:14).

Here is a beam of brilliant light shining in the darkness. God will be acknowledged and glorified. The day is coming, as Paul reminded the Philippians, when at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Evil will not prevail. The rider on the white horse who is called Faithful and True, whose eyes are like blazing fire, on whose head are many crowns and on whose robe is written King of kings and Lord of lords, will strike the nations and in righteousness will judge and make war.

Habakkuk stood, watched and waited for God's answer – and was not disappointed.

A Man with a Prayer

Having been given the vision, the prophet must now pray according to the revelation he had received. How can the earth be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God? Revival! "Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy" (Hab 3:2).

The prophet understood that the only answer for the sinfulness and desperation of the situation was divine intervention. Immediately after the plea "in wrath remember mercy," Habakkuk described true revival: "God came" (Hab 3:3). Some of us can remember saintly Duncan Campbell's account of the Lewis revival. But it was not Campbell who brought revival to the Hebrides – "God came."

True revival is accompanied by a knowledge of the Lord, a sense of his presence and - yes - fear, because the holiness of God reveals the blackness of our sin. "His glory covered the heavens, and his praise filled the earth. His splendour was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden" (Hab 3:3-4).

True revival is accompanied by a knowledge of the Lord, a sense of his presence and – yes – godly fear.

As he prayed, Habakkuk reflected on the mighty things God had done in the past: the parting of the sea, the sun and moon standing still, the overthrow of the enemy. He was awed by what God could do - and had already done - and trembled. But he knew that there was a place of refuge and a place of rest.

A Man with a Song

The prophet had come to a new place. No longer was he asking, 'How long?' or 'Why?', though he knew that God's judgments were coming. He had found not only a place of rest, but also one of joy: "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour" (Hab 3:18). "The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights" (Hab 3:19).

God is in control. He is sovereign. Therefore, we can do what Paul exhorted the Christians to do, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!" (Phil 4:4).

As it was then, so it is now: "See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples" (Is 60:2). Iniquity abounds and the end of all things is near. Events are accelerating. Politicians timorously introduce their latest recipe for recovery, while we look in vain for statesmen who are bold enough to raise a standard for righteousness and integrity. People look to 'the Church' for answers, but find few voices to declare that, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people" (Prov 14:34).

The words of the Lord Jesus echo down two thousand years of history to remind us that, "All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another" (John 13:35). But still we seem to "strain out a gnat and swallow a camel." Dialogues and disagreements abound with petty arguments, while the world is surely and certainly slipping to the very brink of hell. How puny, how pitiful! God has placed in the hands of his Church the gospel of Jesus Christ which is "the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Rom 1:16).

The end draws near and people look to the Church for answers – but find few voices to declare the truth about righteousness and sin.

It is the Gospel which reveals the righteousness of God and also his wrath, about which Paul wrote in the same verse, "I am not ashamed." Jesus proclaimed, "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matt 24:14). Where are the men and women with a burden, a vision, a prayer and a song? God bless you if you are one. Let us pray that God will raise up a whole army. "O Lord, revive your work, in wrath remember mercy."

Originally published in Prophecy Today, Vol 10 No 4, July 1994.

'My Rock; My Refuge: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Psalms' by Timothy Keller (with Kathy Keller) (Hodder & Stoughton, hardback, 372 pages, £12.99, available from The Good Book for £8.99 + P&P)

While daily Bible study notes such as 'Every Day with Jesus', 'Word for Today' and 'Daily Bread' have long been immensely popular among believers, full-year devotional books by favourite Christian authors and celebrities have become increasingly in vogue, and there is now an utter abundance from which to choose. If you're into this type of inspirational reading to begin each day of the year, you can take your pick.

A current best-seller on both sides of the Atlantic (though the US title is catchier – 'The Songs of Jesus') comes from American theologian and apologist Timothy Keller, author of the huge-selling, 'The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Scepticism'.

Two decades ago, Keller began reading the entire book of Psalms every month. 'My Rock; My Refuge' – his first-ever devotional - is based on his accumulated years of study, insight and inspiration, as recorded in his prayer journals.

Inspirational Reflections

The book (co-written with his wife, Kathy) works through all 150 psalms, one per day (or part of one, and never more than 12 verses a day), providing short inspirational reflections on each passage followed by a thoughtful prayer. Keller is an insightful thinker and his comments, though kept short, are full of spiritual depth and wisdom, providing plenty of food for thought and allowing space for further contemplation.

Keller is an insightful thinker and his comments are full of spiritual depth and wisdom.

Additional references are sometimes provided, allowing further study should you have the time. But please note, this is not a commentary - so do not expect complex theological expositions, or lengthy explanations of some of the more contentious passages within the Psalter. Indeed, many difficult verses aren't discussed at all.

Grow in Hunger

Personally, I'm not the type of person who likes to read other people's prayers, yet there's plenty of meat in Keller's heart-cries to help engender further prayer on your own part. Do consider using this book if you are seeking clear and insightful reflections that get to the heart of each individual psalm. Keller's hope is that as you spend time meditating on them one by one, your hunger for God will grow and you will be drawn into a closer walk of fellowship with him.