Sunday, July 12, 2009

wait for it...

in the ensign this month is an article titled, "a scripture that changed my life", a brief anthology that pretty much describes itself. reading through some of them, i wondered what i would have shared. and, until the editors solicit a sequel, i'd like to share my eponymous scripture.

habakkuk 2:3

habakkuk is one of those lovely little books in the rarely-visited back of the old testament. we don't know much about him: there are no stories of him calling fire down upon people, getting eaten by a leviathon, or talking with a donkey. he's only got three chapters; there's not much to draw from. his name never really caught on the way that daniel or jeremiah did. in short, it's pretty easy to overlook habakkuk.

one night i was flipping through scriptures, cross-referencing something (quite possibly by bruce r. mcconkie) and i ended up in habakkuk. glancing around to find my verse, i happened to read verse three in chapter two:

for the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

i don't know the specific context of the chapter, but i know what it has meant to me over the years. we are on the Lord's time table. answers, ideas, pathways and people often don't come when we want them. there are moments and days when it feels like things may not work out. but the Lord is watching over us and sees what is ahead, what is waiting for us.

though it tarry, it will surely come.

6 comments:

Brooke said...

Thank you for this. Sometimes it is really hard for me to be patient.

As for mine:
D&C 38:7 ~ But behold, verily, verily, I say unto you that mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me;

A reminder to myself that despite the feeling of being alone in this world, I am never truly alone.

Cheers!

Mormon Bachelor Pad said...

habakkuk? Is that kinda like Songs of Solomon?

Jaime said...

one time you shared this with me, and it was perfect. thank you for sharing it again. it's sillly how easily we forget. ;)

Marvia said...

I have always loved the name Habakkuk from when we'd sing the Old Testament Primary song. Thank you for sharing your verse. I have a few of those myself that speak so personally and deeply that I like to think they are just for me. :)

kwistin said...

first of all, 'eponymous' is a great word.

second of all, i have few memories of sacrament meetings in the 223rd ward. rather, i remember the feeling i felt, but not so much the specific speakers or subjects.

however, i distinctly remember the first time i heard you mention habakkuk in your testimony. i thought it was really cool then, and another time when you mentioned it in fhe, i enjoyed that as well. i still appreciate that it's such a staple scripture for you, with a message that all of us can apply and love.

funny thing with scriptures; i had once again forgotten habakkuk. thank you for reminding me once again of this little buried treasure.

The Former 786 said...

A inspiring post, and good use of hyperlinks.

Thanks, Jeff!