LESSONS FROM THE WATCHTOWER

By Dr. Sterling Lands, II

Are you excited about what lay ahead? What do you believe about your future? Your behavior follows your beliefs.
The prophet Habakkuk climbed up into his watchtower to wait and see what the Lord would say to him and how he would answer his complaint. Then the Lord said to him, "Write my answer in large, clear letters on a tablet, so that a runner can read it and tell everyone else. But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked; but the righteous will live by their faith.”
Instead of letting his frustrations drive him into despair, Habakkuk went to his watchtower to watch and wait. He knew that his complaint had been heard and that an answer would be forth coming. Habakkuk’s questions, how long would evil prevail and why was Babylon chosen to punish Judah remind me of the current state of Black people in America. The answer that Habakkuk received was that judgment, though slow to come, was certain. And Babylon would be punished in due time. There was a plan and a schedule, things would all work out in due time. All of those who have participated in the enslavement and oppression of Americans of African descent will be divinely punished.
Habakkuk provides some basic principles to live by during difficult days.
People who are puffed up trust in themselves, they will fail, and those who are humble will succeed.
The earth is filled with rebellion today. Being argumentative is an indicator of a rebellious spirit. Solomon said “A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as fire lights wood.” Your tendency to want to impose your will on others may be your signal that you have not dealt with your spirit of rebellion. I believe that the greatest gift we can give our children is the wisdom to respond in a respectable manner to all levels of righteous authority. Parenting could be called a high stakes game in which the winner enjoys a life time of happiness, joy and peace of mind and the loser has tears, sorrow and shame.
Don’t let anyone undermine your confidence in the truth. Apostle Paul said “For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Turn that television off and conference with some one who cares about you.
Your challenge is not to usher in heaven on earth, but to be who you say you are daily. Remain character centered in troubled times and aggressively promote integrity despite your circumstances. Too many us increasingly put ourselves and our own desires ahead of every other consideration. We want to keep religion, but we do not want to love our brother or sister.
We live by faith, not by sight”. When we look at ourselves, or at circumstances, we are discouraged and want to quit, but when we look up by faith, and ahead to the glorious future, then we are encouraged and enabled to go on in victory. Racism and injustice seem to have the upper hand today but be patient! Change will certainly come. Keep living by faith even when you don’t understand why events occur as they do.