Palm 16:1-2

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in Habakkuk 1. The Mind of the Spirit engaged the spirit of my mind in verse 4:

Habakkuk 1:4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.

Slack means weak, remiss, negligent, without strength to serve its purpose. Judgment is lax when it is insufficient, indolent, or absent. In the case before us, the law was slacked and judgment was absent.

When is the law slack and judgment lax? When spoiling, grief, and violence prevail. When the wicked who stir up strife and contention “compass about the righteous,” meaning these swamp the righteous, surround them, and neutralize them. “Therefore wrong judgment proceedeth” (Habakkuk 1:2-3). In other words, from another place in Scripture: When the wicked bear rule, the people mourn (Proverbs 29:2).

But when the righteous are in authority, it’s different. Then the people rejoice (Proverbs 29:2). When the righteous compass the wicked, the law is strong and enforced, and right judgment goes forth to justice—even the wicked turn from open violence.

Along the still waters, I reflected on the truth that makes us free and the Spirit that brings liberty (John 8:32; 2 Corinthians 3:17). Where the truth is free, men are. Where the Spirit of the LORD moves freely through the Temple of the LORD, liberty prevails over tyranny (John 8:38-39; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17). Where the Spirit of Christ reigns, the spirit of antichrist is subdued (2 Thessalonians 2:7).

In the valley, my heart resting quietly in the shade of His Cross, I heard the gentle Saviour say, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Self must be dethroned, that Christ may, triumphant, reign. Like the first Baptist, I must decrease, that He may increase (John 3:30). The Spirit will not move into this world with mighty reproof or thirst-quenching rivers of life for the souls of men until this body is presented a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2). I took up my cross and looked for the path marked by His steps (1 Peter 2:21).

At the table, He anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup with His grace. Goodness and mercy followed us into the harvest.

Praying for revival! 🙏