Habakkuk is a prophet who sees about him a world that God, in his power and wisdom, can correct. He hollers “Oh Lord, how long shall I cry for help and thou will not hear? Or cry to the “Violence! and thou wilt not save?” He continues to put forth his lament, “for the wicked surround the righteous, so justice goes forth perverted.”

It is a complaint we in this modern day still issue, and in doing so we rail against God.  But God answers Habakkuk and said, “There is still a vision for the appointed time. It does not lie, wait for it. Look at the proud. Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith. Mercy is forthcoming.”

The Psalmist also tells “commit your way to the Lord and put your trust in him. He will make your righteousness as clear as the light.”

Paul in his letter to Timothy admonishes, “I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you... for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. We use that power with all faithfulness.”

The apostles were always looking for something more; and said to the Lord “Increase our faith.” Jesus answer was to remind them of their commitment to the Gospel, and to him. With that faith they could uproot the mulberry and toss it into the sea and it would obey.

That commitment meant doing what we should, not looking for reward, or a gift, or any equality with the master. Instead be reminded that we ought to do what we were ordered to do, without concern for reward. Because what needs done is more important than we are.

There is work to be done in God’s Kingdom and, we being faithful to Christ, ought to be about doing it.

Amen.

The Rev. George O. Martin is an Ordained Deacon at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 17th and Adams, Great Bend. Send email to georgeom@hbcomm.net.