“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12
The first few verses of Habakkuk 1 read like they were ripped from a current news story. It describes chaos, calamity, and a world and society gone crazy, filled with all kinds of evil. And, in the midst of it all Habakkuk asks the Lord, “How long will this go on?” The Lords reply is found in Habakkuk 1:5 which says, “The Lord replied, “Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.” Now be fair and in context the Lord was speaking specifically about future events involving Israel and Babylon, but the same sentiment could be applied today.
In the midst of all the chaos, evil and hate in our current society we can still see God doing something new and refreshing and can only be defined as His Grace. The heart of Jesus and the Father is the same now as it was in John 7. Just as Jesus was teaching in front of a large crowd, thrown at his feet was an adulterer caught in the act. And although Jesus was completely qualified to pick up the first stone, He meet her instead with love, grace and light. Love and grace because He forgave her and light because by giving her the gift of “no condemnation” He gave her a lighted path by which she could follow the rest of her days.
Interestingly all of this took place, as we see in verse 20 of that same chapter, at a section of the Temple called “The Treasury.” At a moment in time where she felt completely worthless, Jesus lifted her up out of her sin and shame to live and to live more abundantly, showing her and us that we are His most valued treasures.
Today, may we not be dismayed or overwhelmed by the evil in this world around us, or even the evil we find lurking within ourselves from time to time. Instead, let us walk in the light of His love, forgiveness and grace that leads us to abundant life.