106. The Prayer Of Habakkuk.

The Prayer Of Habakkuk. The Prayer as recorded.—Habakkuk 1:1-4. The Lord’s Answer.—Habakkuk 1:5-11. The prayer with which the writings of this Hebrew poet and prophet open is full of lamentation and mourning for Zion; that few come to her solemn feasts grieves the heart of this chosen and devoted one. This prophet predicts the Chaldean invasion, and its terrible effects, bewails in this prayer the wickedness of the invaders, mourns deeply the decay of religion; his heart is full of grief, and he has come to the mercy-seat, weary of the wickedness, to ask of God how long sin must abound and the love of many was cold. He sorrows for the poor who are abused and oppressed. He has brought his troubles and sorrows to God; his heart heavy with its weight of woe, is poured into an ear ever ready to answer the complaints of his loved ones. As He was to the prophets, a “Guardian,” a “Mystery” and a “Guide,” such he is to this chosen people now, as he heard and answered their petitions because “Zion mourned,” as he was ever with his people even when with weeping and lamentation the prophets plead for her, so he is with her still to listen to the lament of his poorest and most humble follower. The “Shepherd of Israel” is watching his flock with his all-seeing eye; and who are his flock? All, whoever and wherever, on mountain, hill-side, or valley, in whatever or whenever they worship the “Shepherd Jehovah,” trust in him, and are saved by his grace. He encourages his children to pray for his little flock, if she is scattered and clouds hang heavy about her, for he has promised to gather his lambs in his bosom, and gently lead his erring ones. He has through his prophets predicted days of gloom, but through them he has shown us the Sun of Righteousness.