FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
OUR THEME FOR 2020
(Part 63)
VISION FOUNDED ON THE ROCK
August 8, 2020
Today’s readings:
Habakkuk 1:12-2:4
Psalm 9:8-13
Matthew 17:14-20
Habakkuk prophesied about Babylon and how God seemed not to have acted against it. He recognized the Lord as the Rock who punishes wickedness. “O Rock, you have set them in place to punish! Your eyes are too pure to look upon wickedness, and the sight of evil you cannot endure.” (Hb 1:12c-13a). We can empathize. We look on the wickedness in the world today, and at times wonder when God will act decisively. We look at the devastation wreaked upon the world by the culture of death, and wonder why God does not stop this evil in its tracks. “Shall they, then, keep on drawing his sword to slaughter nations without mercy?” (Hb 1:17).
But God has already made clear to us that He is for good and not evil.
- God judges with justice. “The Lord rules forever, has set up his throne for judgment. It is he who judges the world with justice, who judges the peoples with fairness.” (Ps 9:8-9). God will punish the unjust, in His time and in His own way.
- God is there for the oppressed. “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” (Ps 9:10). God helps those who are weak, poor, deprived. They can turn to Him in their troubles and affliction.
- God does not forsake His people “Those who know your name trust in you; you never forsake those who seek you, Lord.” (Ps 9:11). God loves us with an eternal love, and will always be there for His people.
So we look to God. But we also know that God has called His people to act on His behalf. They are to be agents of His righteousness and justice in the world. For us in MFC, God has given us a vision for who we are and what we are to do. We are to be His holy warriors. We are to defend faith, family and life. God assures us of His presence, His provision, His strength and power. And it is in this that we sometimes falter, even doubt His call. Why is the work so hard? Why are people not responding to the gospel message? Why are many not turning from their evil ways? Why is God not using us more powerfully to bring righteousness and justice in the world?
Well, it is not our place to question God. The fruit of our labors is entirely up to Him. And of course, we may not see many things that are actually happening invisibly all around us. But we must have faith that God has indeed called us. We must stand by the vision that He has given us. “For the vision is a witness for the appointed time, a testimony to the end; it will not disappoint. If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late.” (Hb 2:3). The Lord’s timing is perfect.
So we just continue with our work. And we help assure that we are in the right place with regards to God. This is what the Lord told Habakkuk: “See, the rash have no integrity; but the just one who is righteous because of faith shall live.” (Hb 2:4). Here we have four aspects of our proper posture.
- Integrity. This is moral uprightness and having strong moral and ethical principles and values. It is exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit.
- Justice. This is giving to the other person what is his due as a creation of God, according to God’s precepts.
- Righteousness. This is purity and holiness, in being and in deed. It is being like Jesus himself.
- Faith. This is complete trust and confidence in God. It is putting our lives in God’s hands, looking to His love, wisdom, mercy and care for us.
This matter of faith is of crucial importance, because the world today is a “faithless and perverse generation” (Mt 17:17a). Further, God’s own people at times begin to falter in their faith in His justice. We can imagine Jesus, our faithful Lord who is with us to the end of the age, seeming frustrated, even with us his disciples. “How long will I be with you? How long will I endure you?” (Mt 17:17b).
Might the reason why God’s people are not able to do greater works be not a failure on God’s part but on ours? God has already provided everything we need. Perhaps it is “because of your little faith.” (Mt 17:20a). We need to have greater and supernatural faith. Jesus assures us, “Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Mt 17:20b).
So let us in MFC just carry on with our work, founded on the Rock that is Christ, holding on to the vision, fully trusting God in faith, thankful for His constant and adequate provisions. Let us carry on with rapid and massive evangelization, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus who is our King and Lord. “Sing hymns to the Lord enthroned on Zion; proclaim his deeds among the nations!” (Ps 9:12).