Help #6—Glorious Help

Yahweh, warrior deity, has established that people toil for fire, and nations grow weary for nothing; for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of Yahweh’s glory as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:13–14

God’s commitment to maintain and display his glory drives his providential supervision of his entire creation. Because he is the one who acts decisively to bring about justice in the world, we have no reason to fear. He comforts and protects us in the valley of the shadow of death. No matter how desperate our situation seems, we can be certain God will not let the wicked ultimately succeed. He deserves our praise. It is to our benefit that he will not allow anyone else to accept the glory due his name. We see the glory of his goodness, especially when he acts to rescue us. He always works for us in a way that magnifies his holiness—his being of infinite, unexcelled, and irreplaceable value to us. Sometimes, though, as in Habakkuk’s case, the way God delivers us makes the situation we are currently experiencing seem worse because God uses the ungodly to destroy the ungodly. However, their wicked plans will also fail. The fire they build from the logs of our homes will become their funeral pyre. God allows them to expend all their energy, but to gain nothing of any lasting satisfaction or significance. Therefore, we can exult in the God of our salvation, who delivers us from our enemies and from our enslavement to our own success as well.

All glory, laud, and honor belong to you, Faithful God! In the valley of death and on the mountains of adversity, you are my strength and song. Keep me trusting as you wisely unfold your plans.