Habakkak 1:2-3; 2:2-4
2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14
Luke 17:5-10
All of these readings teach us about faith; the first reading tells us a bit about the work needed and required of us, while the second reading and the gospel tease out some of the nuances. God’s charge to us, whether it be prophecy, ministry or discipleship, is our duty and obligation.
The Lord tells us through Habakkak that it is our duty to speak, to share visions and insights either through writing or speaking. While faith asks us to perform work with our hands, it is our duty to communicate the motivation behind our deeds so that others may come to a deeper faith. This section from Habakkak consists of a double set of questions and laments, each followed by an oracle or reply from God (1). Like Abraham, Moses and the prophets, we are allowed to argue and complain to the Lord openly, however, we must also be willing to hear His reply, and to change our attitudes and behaviors as a consequence of that prayer.
The second reading points out that while God’s work requires belief in Him and in the importance of the work, faith also requires confidence in one’s ability to accomplish it successfully. While faith, bestowed in baptism, is needed to fulfill the obligation we have to the Lord, it is not finite or limited. Its development and growth is not automatic simply because He has compelled the work.
Paul makes a list of qualities and virtues which will strengthen Timothy for his mission. Our missions, skills and obligations, “deposited,” or bequeathed (2) to us for safeguarding, have been given to us by the Holy Spirit. While it is a struggle to refrain from doubting or running away, we are compelled through our own desires to stay the course.
Jesus tells the disciples they may rely on but not presume divine grace (2). Not only does the work require effort, however, the faith to do the work also requires intentional energy to grow deeper and wider. Barclay uses the word “compelled” in reference to the Lord’s expectation that we do the work required of us without expecting reward. The idea of compulsion is not simply that another with power over us can impose obligations upon us. It involves a deep sense of fortitude and motivation, urgency and momentum to carry out the work despite discouragement from or the disinterest of others.
Journal Questions:
- Do you consider compulsion a positive or negative word? Write about an activity which you engage in that is a “compulsion” which results in good.
- What understandings and perceptions, talents and interests, missions and visions have been bequeathed to you? Who has left them in your hands? How have you safeguarded or responded to them?
References:
1- The Collegeville Bible Commentary, Old Testament. The Order of St. Benedict, Inc., Collegeville, Minnesota, 1992.
2- New Interpreter’s Bible One Volume Commentary. Abingdon Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010.
3- The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1990
4- The Letters to Timothy, Titus and Philemon, Barclay, William. The Daily Study Bible Series, The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, 1975.
5- The Gospel of Luke, Barclay, William. The Daily Study Bible Series, The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, 2001.
© 2016 Marilyn MacArthur, all rights reserved
Writing to Pray 