The Tupelo journal., 1908-09-25

the land, to possess the dwelling
places that are not theirs"
A cry of deep anguish burst from
the lips of Habakkuk, and he fell to
the ground in a swoon
Gould it be-" as asked himself.
when he again came back to con
seriousness, that it was God who had
spoken declaring that he would send
the C%haldeans upon the land? 1t
seemed too terrible a thing"
20 Lord my Cod" he cried, lifting
his face to the heavens, mine Holy
One, art not thou from everlasting?
o Lord, hast thou ordained them for
judgment; and o mighty God. hast
thou established them for correction?
Thou art of purer eyes than to behold
evil and canst not look on %iniquity;
wherefore lookest thou upon them
tina deal treacherously, and holdest
thy tongue when the wicked devour-
eth the man that is more righteous
than he?"
Habakkuk ceased his plant, but
there was no answering voice, and
the prophet arose and paced back and
forth in great agitation.
Why did not God himself punish
his people? Why did he give such
power into the hands of so wicked
an enemy?" he asked himself in great
vexation of spirit. All night long he
struggled with the question.
Judah has sinned," he cried. but,
oh, the bitterness Of the punishment
which is to fall upon the chosen peo-
pie of God. What of the future? Is
there then no fulfillment of the prom
Uses which God gave to Abraham and
to Isaac and to Jacob, and to all the
prophets since that day? Shall the
Chaldeans be permitted without inter.
~uption to enjoy the fruits of their
violence, seeing hat they attribute
all their success to themselves and
not to thee? Is the earth to be filled
with violence continually"
These questions troubled Habak.
luh, but his night of vigil found him
no answer to them, and YEARLY he
turned his feet toward the city.
1t was then that a new fear and
perplexity seized upon him. Should
he deliver his message as God had
given it to him or should he withhold
to speak until greater light and revela-
ton should come?
AS he passed through the streets
he noted the same careless indiffer-
nee of the multitudes to his presence.
Little respect did they have for Gods
messenger. Scant time did they have
to listen to his voice when sinful
pleasure on every hand was present
to hold their attention. So en-.
crossed were they with the following
of their idolatrous practices that there
was 10 room for deeper thoughts OF
the true God.
Heart-sick, the prophet turned and
retraced his steps to the secluded
nook which had grown precious to
him because of the many seasons of
delightful communion he had had
there with his God.
Il will stand upon my watch, and
set me Upon the tower, and will watch
to see what he will say unto me-"
More than half the victory is won
when the soul brings itself to that
condition of determined vigil, and the
blessing which God is always willing
to give, do we but wait for it, is al.
most within the grasp.
And as he waited the prophet felt a
deepening consciousness of the power
and majesty of God expanding over
his soul. Surely he could trust God
with it all. All things would work
out to his glory.
AS though in response to this last
thought which flooded his heart there
came a voice saying:
Write the vision, and make it
plain upon tables that he may run
that readeth it. For the vision is yet
for an appointed time, but at the end
it shall speak, and not lie: though it
tarry, wait for it; because it will sure
ly come, it will not tarry. For the
earth shall be filled with the knowl.
edge of the glory of the Lord, as the
waters cover the sea-"
"Ah," exclaimed Habakkuk as he let
his soul expand with the thought of
the vision, Il cannot understand all
that means, neither can | know how
God will bring it to pass, but l know
that it shall be as he hath spoken"
And then reverently he bowed his
head and prayed:
20 Lord, l have heard thy speech,
and was afraid: o Lord, revive thy
work in the midst of the years; in the
midst of the years make known; in
wrath remember mercy"
And the prayer of Habakkuk ut
tered in faith so long ago will yet be
fulfilled and the glory of the Lord
shall indeed fill the whole earth as
the waters cover the sci
GETTING THE MATTER STRAIGHT.