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Becoming God's Friend (4)
'I have called you friends' John 15:15
There's a guy in the Bible called Habakkuk (don't suppose there's anyone in your school by that name is there?) He was friends with God but became really angry about his life and disappointed with God for not doing anything to help.
Now, he didn't pretend everything was fine and nice, singing some angelic loveliness to God - he told God straight: 'God, how long do I have to cry out for help before you listen? How many times do I have to yell, "Help! Murder! Police!" before you come to the rescue? Why do you force me to look at evil, stare trouble in the face day after day? Anarchy and violence break out, quarrels and fights all over the place. Law and order fall to pieces. Justice is a joke' (Hab. 1:1-4 TM).
Amazingly, God never tells Habakkuk off for being angry. Instead, He listens and talks with Habakkuk about it. At this moment in time God doesn't do anything to change the awful circumstances Habakkuk is in. But something does change - Habakkuk himself.
By being honest with God, Habakkuk's opinion changes. Instead of being angry and disappointed with life and God, he starts to feel hopeful, realising that God has got it sorted.
Even though life is still difficult, Habakkuk says, 'I'm singing joyful praise to God. I'm turning cartwheels of joy to my Saviour God.
Counting on God's Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I'm king of the mountain!' (Hab. 3: 17-19). Being God's friend is about being honest with Him.
written by Bob Gass
'I have called you friends' John 15:15
There's a guy in the Bible called Habakkuk (don't suppose there's anyone in your school by that name is there?) He was friends with God but became really angry about his life and disappointed with God for not doing anything to help.
Now, he didn't pretend everything was fine and nice, singing some angelic loveliness to God - he told God straight: 'God, how long do I have to cry out for help before you listen? How many times do I have to yell, "Help! Murder! Police!" before you come to the rescue? Why do you force me to look at evil, stare trouble in the face day after day? Anarchy and violence break out, quarrels and fights all over the place. Law and order fall to pieces. Justice is a joke' (Hab. 1:1-4 TM).
Amazingly, God never tells Habakkuk off for being angry. Instead, He listens and talks with Habakkuk about it. At this moment in time God doesn't do anything to change the awful circumstances Habakkuk is in. But something does change - Habakkuk himself.
By being honest with God, Habakkuk's opinion changes. Instead of being angry and disappointed with life and God, he starts to feel hopeful, realising that God has got it sorted.
Even though life is still difficult, Habakkuk says, 'I'm singing joyful praise to God. I'm turning cartwheels of joy to my Saviour God.
Counting on God's Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I'm king of the mountain!' (Hab. 3: 17-19). Being God's friend is about being honest with Him.
written by Bob Gass
