12.b. “Until I went into the sanctuary of God”

Habakkuk 2:1  I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Psalms 85:8    Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.

Jeremiah 12:1     Righteous are you, O LORD, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?

Psalms 73:16-17     But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,  until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.

Matthew Henry commentary; “When tossed and perplexed with doubts about the methods of our sovereign Lord, we must watch against temptations to be impatient. When we have poured out complaints and requests before God, we must observe the answers God gives by his word, his Spirit, and providences; what the Lord will say to our case. God will not disappoint the believing expectations of those who wait to hear what he will say unto them. All are concerned in the truths of God’s word. Though the promised favor be deferred long, it will come at last, and abundantly recompense us for waiting. The humble, broken-hearted, repenting sinner, alone seeks to obtain an interest in this salvation. He will rest his soul on the promise, and on Christ, in and through whom it is given. Thus he walks and works, as well as lives by faith, perseveres to the end, and is exalted to glory; while those who distrust or despise God’s all-sufficiency will not walk uprightly with him. The just shall live by faith in these precious promises, while the performance of them is deferred. Only those made just by faith shall live, shall be happy here and forever.

Let them consider

“but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”

Psalms 107:43  Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.

 Psalms 28:5    Because they do not regard the works of the LORD or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and build them up no more.

 Psalms 64:9     Then all mankind fears; they tell what God has brought about and ponder what he has done.

 Isaiah 5:12     They have lyre and harp, tambourine and flute and wine at their feasts, but they do not regard the deeds of the LORD, or see the work of his hands.

 Jeremiah 9:12     Who is the man so wise that he can understand this? To whom has the mouth of the LORD spoken, that he may declare it? Why is the land ruined and laid waste like a wilderness, so that no one passes through?

 Daniel 10:12    Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.

 Hosea 14:9   Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

 Psalms 50:23     The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”

 Ephesians 3:14  For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,   may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,  and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

There always seems to be a way man finds to avert focus on God.  When they do not focus on God, they stumble, their land is laid waste,  they are not built up, they are beat down, or they do not see His salvation.  On the other hand those who, ponder, discerns, set their heart to know and seek God, and consider what God has done, they are strengthened with power in their inner being.  They are grounded in His love.  They know Love that surpasses knowledge.  They see God’s salvation.  They humble themselves.  None of us are immune to getting sideways.  None of us are immune to Satan’s attacks.  None of us are immune to our sinful nature and it’s wants and desires.  Our battle is to keep these influences at bay with knowledge and understanding of God and His holiness.  Our hope can be found in no one else.  Our faith can be in no one else.  If his word is not in our daily lives we will surely loose our way.  Remember salvation is offered to all but it is not because we are worthy.  It is because we have come to a place where this world and all it has to offer, leaves us wanting and empty.  Do you want to find true purpose and satisfaction this side of eternity.  Seek God and you will find.  Knock and the door will be opened by God.