October 4
Verse of the Day for October 4
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 surely come, it will not tarry.Habakkuk 2:3 KJV
The Key of Endurance · Day 4 of 31
Reflection · 3 min read
It Will Not Lie
Habakkuk is a short book by a man who is furious with God and says so. He is not asking a theoretical question. He is watching his country come apart and he wants to know why the God he believes in is not doing anything about it.
Then he does something I find remarkable. He says he will stand on his watchtower and wait to see what God will answer him. He complains, and then he stays put for the reply.
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 surely come, it will not tarry.
There is a contradiction in that verse that is not a mistake. Though it tarry, wait for it — so it will be late. Because it will surely come, it will not tarry — so it will not be late.
Both are true, and they are true from different positions. From where Habakkuk stands it is unbearably slow. From where it was appointed, it is exactly on time.
The verse does not ask him to stop feeling the delay. It asks him to hold his experience of lateness and God's appointment together without letting go of either one.
Though it tarry, wait for it.It will not tarry.
You are allowed to find this slow. Habakkuk did, and God answered him rather than correcting him.
What you are not asked to conclude is that slow means never.
Carry this today
Where have you started reading slow as no?
Pray
Read Habakkuk 2:1–4
1I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. 2And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3For 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 surely come, it will not tarry. 4Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Keep praying
Reflection by Collins Asein, from the daily devotionals in the PrayerKey app. Bible text: King James Version.