There’s been much talk in recent weeks of what can give a person chills. Growing up, it was an old superstition that chills meant someone was walking over your grave. Today, it relates more to an exciting event or being in the presence of someone you admire.
Maybe that’s why having the experience of chills last Sunday made it all the more memorable, because I got chills in a church service. Yep, in church. Don’t think that’s ever happened before, and I’m sure not many would join me in admitting to such an experience, but it’s true.
I got chills in church, listening to a sermon from the book of Habakkuk.
Let me explain. We’ve been studying the book of Habakkuk (it’s a minor prophet) for several weeks. It all started with the question from the prophet: “God, we know who you are, but how can you let this happen? And how much longer will you let it go on?”
Basically, he’s asking the same question we’ve been asking for centuries: “If you’re up there, God, why is all this bad stuff happening?”
There’s a back-and-forth for the first couple of chapters, where God reminds the prophet that he needs to look in the mirror before he goes pointing fingers at the rest of the world. God’s still in control, and evil has an expiration date. I’m tracking with the pastor so far, because Habakkuk’s questions resonate with my own. I’m also humbled by God’s patience and responses. That’s when we arrive at chapter three.
Through the prophet, God gives us a glimpse of when that day will come. What day? The day when evil is ultimately defeated and put in its place. This is Old Testament, but New Testament reality. This is a vision of the Second Coming of Christ.
As the pastor has us leaping back and forth in our Bibles to read supporting scriptures,* the scene is building as the Glorious God marches up from the South, makes all creation tremble, crushes and saves. With Christ’s return as judge, the mystery of God is finished. All he said comes true.
That’s when I got chills!
Just being reminded that the God who saved us will return to claim us! Every knee will bow–some in fear and trembling, but ours in worship and wonder. GLORY!
What is giving you chills these days? Passing fancies of this world or the God who is still in control and coming soon in ultimate victory?
I choose the Glorious God! His grave is empty and so will be mine! Got chills yet? Trust in him and you will.
Grace and Peace
*Deuteronomy 33:1-5; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-8; Judges 5:1-5; Isaiah 63:1-6; Psalm 110; Genesis 3:14-15; 1 John 2:28
Amen!!! I just returned from the crmetery where my Mom and Dad are buried awaiting the resurrection of their earthly bodies. As I stood there, I reminded myself that Jesus is coming again and Praised Him and gave Him Glory for their salvation and mine and the great promise of the Resurrection!!! A great reason to get chills!!!! Amazing I read this post just after I got home. Keep the encouraging words coming.
Praise God! Thanks, Eugenia for the encouragement. What a blessing to know we don’t grieve like the rest of the world, because we have hope and assurance that this life is not the end! Blessings