It seems slow - wait for it

Isaiah 5:14-17

“Therefore Sheol has enlarged its appetite and opened its mouth beyond measure, and the nobility of Jerusalem and her multitude will go down, her revelers and he who exults in her. Man is humbled, and each one is brought low, and the eyes of the haughty are brought low.  But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness.  Then shall the lambs graze as in their pasture, and nomads shall eat among the ruins of the rich.” (Isaiah 5:14-17, ESV)

Isaiah has given a warning about what the deception of excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages can do to a person, a family, or a nation.  And in verse 14, he states that it will be the nobility of Jerusalem who will go down to Sheol.  Sheol is making reference to the grave, and even the after life. This group of people was consumed with acquiring more stuff, better stuff, and food and drink were high on the list of the more, and yet they could not get enough drink, food, houses, horses; stuff.

The prophet Habakkuk, who came along as God spokes person some 90 years after the death of Isaiah, had this message to both Judea and to the church, that is, if you will accept it.  “And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so one may easily read 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.  “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.  “Moreover, wine is a traitor, an arrogant man who is never at rest. His greed is as wide as Sheol; like death he has never enough. He gathers for himself all nations and collects as his own all peoples.” (Habakkuk 2:2-5, ESV)
The Church is called to walk by faith, to live life as if Jesus tells the truth, and yet many of us were taught like a bird dog to live by rules.  Rules are the dos and don’ts and when we are doing them we get upset when others are not, and we become arrogant and prideful, but that’s not what a follower of Jesus does.  A follower of Jesus follows, listens to, and obeys Jesus, and they are free to do as Jesus does.  A follower of Jesus follows! 
 From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice