Run with Patience!

[Habakkuk 2:2-3 KJV]
“And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. [3] 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 how long you have been running and journeying with the vision. I have no idea how long it has been since you started believing and waiting for an answer to your life’s pressing need, but one thing is sure; the vision is for an appointed time. It may tarry but can’t fail. Though, it may delay, wait for it. It shall not lie.

Many of us become impatient when we see the seeming success of others. The word of God is telling us not to allow the success of others to make us impatient. As a matter of fact, many of the people who walk around arrogantly and talk proudly as if they have succeeded are only making a show. The success and results they display are not real.

[Habakkuk 2:4 KJV] “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith”.

Many of the show off’s you see which make you impatient and discouraged are either not real or gotten through unjust means.

Pay attention to the following verses:

[Habakkuk 2:5-6 KJV] “Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people: [6] Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, …”

The Bible says many of the people displaying wealth and success, and posting photos and videos on social media are in a charade. They are only making appearances. How many times have you seen Bill Gates or Steve Jobs displaying their latest car on social media? Even the CEO of Facebook does not show his face everyday on facebook.

They are drunk and proud, and the wine of pride and vanity makes them not to stay at home; they have taken voyages and gone on risky trips. Their pride and greed and enlarged appetites make them embark on stupid and silly adventures. Many travel to the Middle East and on other dangerous trips just to seek greener pastures and amass wealth. Many have embarked on senseless adventures and have lost their faith and their place in God.

Indeed, soon and very soon, those who know them will use them as a proverb. They will become windows in our preaching. Some have left their place and callings to seek greener pastures? Haha hahaha! Soon the nations will take up a proverb against them as we do about Lot’s wife. We say, “remember Lot’s wife”

I pray for you that you will not lose your place.

Indeed, the limits are broken but don’t lose the vision and cast off restraint. The limits were not broken for you to be unruly, uncontrollable, and untamed. The limits are broken to enable you to serve God and go all out for Him. The limits were not broken for you to indulge in silly pleasures and sins.

Don’t rush! Be patient and run the race that is set before you. Once you run steady and faithfully we will get there.

If you don’t want to be a byword and a proverb, then;

1. Don’t increase with that which is not yours; neither laden yourself with thick clay to disguise;

Wealth and success gotten through unjust means will never endure.

[Habakkuk 2:6-8 KJV] “… Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay! [7] Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them? [8] Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein”.

Your pace may seem slow, but once it is by a just means, your success will endure.

2. Don’t covet with an evil covetousness, to break other people’s house, their marriage, or their business to build yours;

[Habakkuk 2:9-11 KJV] “Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil! [10] Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul. [11] For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it”.

If you break another’s house to build your walls, even the stones will cry out against you from the walls.

3. Don’t build a town with blood nor establish a city by iniquity;

Don’t water down the doctrine because you want the church to grow. Don’t lower your standards because you want to marry at all cost. Soon the knowledge of the truth shall fill the earth and you will be ashamed.

[Habakkuk 2:12-14 KJV] “Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity! [13] Behold, is it not of the Lord of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity? [14] For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord , as the waters cover the sea”.

4. Don’t get people intoxicated and mesmerized with wine, or charm, lies,  drama, or magic just to take advantage of them;

If you do so, in no time, shame shall stain your honor; you will be disgraced. Please always tell people the truth. Don’t lie to me just because you need something from me, people will not be foolish forever.

[Habakkuk 2:15-18 KJV] “Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him , and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! [16] Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the Lord’s right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory. [17] For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein. [18] What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?

5. Don’t worship dumb idols;

They have no breath and your foolishness will soon be exposed.

[Habakkuk 2:19-20 KJV] “Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. [20] But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him”.

Beloved, I came to exhort you that the vision is for an appointed time. It may tarry but it shall not fail, wait for it. This church will grow. Your business will do well in its season, wait for it. You shall not fail! Just look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Be blessed; I love you!

Noah Simpe Bediako