Devotion: Use this resource at home to guide your household’s daily devotions. You can do this alone, as a couple, as a family; in the morning, during the day, or at night. Find a routine that works best for you.

Pray: Light a candle and open your devotion time with a prayer.
God of faith, you promised your people deliverance and evidence of your presence. Grant us the same faith that we might know you are near, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our savior. Amen.

Reflect: Reflect on the key verse from Sunday’s reading.
O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen?
Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Habakkuk 1:2

Study: Study the reading and consider the background.
Habakkuk was a prophet who spoke to Jerusalem when it was just about to fall to Babylonian exile. The people had not believed they could be conquered, and yet exile was at their doorstep. Their faith in God wavered, and they questioned where God was.

God responded to Habakkuk’s plea, “How long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen?” God’s response promised that those who live by faith can endure great suffering. God suggested faith as a way of life. Faith is stronger than despair.

Read: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding of Sunday’s text. After the reading, ask the follow-up questions.
Follow the book of Habakkuk, as the prophet proclaims both judgment and the promise of restoration.

Sunday, Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4; 3:17-19, Faith as a Way of Life

Monday, Habakkuk 1:5-11, The Prophet’s Complaint

Tuesday, Habakkuk 1:12—2:1, The Prophet’s Complaint

Wednesday, Habakkuk 2:5-14, The Woes of the Wicked

Thursday, Habakkuk 2:15-20, The Woes of the Wicked

Friday, Habakkuk 3:1-7, The Woes of the Wicked

Saturday, Habakkuk 3:8-16, The Woes of the Wicked

What was God doing here? How were the people’s actions punished or rewarded?

Connect: Connect in conversation with others in your household. Discuss the following questions, or simply check in with “Highs” and “Lows.”

• What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?
• In what ways is your community in exile? Where do you feel your community is isolated from God? Where do you feel it is close to God?
• When has your faith in God been tested? In what ways have your beliefs changed as you learn and grow?

Do: By acting on what we learn, we make God’s word come alive. Do the following activity this week.

Hold a prayer vigil for your community and those communities around you.

Bless: Close your devotion with a blessing.
God our strength, we rejoice in you as we hear your word. Speak faith and patience to us today. Amen

Copyright © 2014 Clergy Stuff.. (Readings section slightly  adapted) Used and adapted with Permission. Find more at www.ClergyStuff.com. Blessing written by Pr. Chip Borgstadt. Scripture quotations from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used with permission. All rights reserved.