Life wearies us in normal times, and how it’s been grinding us down this last year! Christians must wonder, I certainly do, when will God keep all the good promises He has made to us? If you also wonder, recall Habakkuk, who lived in a time when the crime and violence was common. “How long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?” God heard but said it would get worse before it would get better. Until then, the promise endures. “The vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it… the righteous shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 1:2; 2:2-4).
There are times here-and-now when we do see God fulfill His promises. Saturday Dr. Thomas Egger was elected and called to be the next president of Concordia Seminary. In that, faith sees fulfillment. When the last president announced his retirement, there was some grief and uncertainty about what might be ahead. Now there’s a clear shift to hopeful anticipation of the future. “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5). Dr. Egger, an Old Testament scholar, was installed as professor in the same service when I was installed as president, 2005. Another promise kept here-and-now. “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts” (Psalm 145:4).
“O Lord, I have heard the report of you… In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known” (Habbakuk 3:2). God’s promises are not history on dusty old pages. Centuries before Habakkuk, Moses went through the terrible time of Israel’s idolatry with the Golden Calf. After it was over, violently and with a plague, Moses yearned to see God. “‘Please, show me your glory.’ …The Lord said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ …And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.’” (Exodus 33:17-19). He did and still does. “What need or grief, ever has failed of relief?”
To Dr. Egger and to us all: “Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you; / Surely His goodness and mercy shall daily attend you. / Ponder anew / What the Almighty can do / As with His love He befriends you” (Lutheran Service Book, 790:3-4).
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