In our first lesson, the prophet Habakkuk cries out to the Lord, in words that might well be our own: "O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you 'Violence!' and you will not save? Why do you make me see wrong-doing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise...the wicked surround the righteous--therefore judgement comes forth perverted."

     These were the very words often quoted at services immediately after 9-11, as preachers and congregations struggled to find passages in Scripture that gave voice to what we Americans were experiencing at that unique moment in history. We suffered violence and destruction at a level we have never experienced on our own soil, save for the Civil War, perhaps. And Habakkuk, thousands of years before, spoke the words that might have been our own--the words that became our own, after September 11th. And yet, is that the only time when these words of the prophet suit us? Could they not also be the words of the private, manning a checkpoint outside the Green Zone in Bagdhad--suddenly aware that he's surrounded by insurgents--watching as his fellow soldiers are gunned down around him? Could they not also be the words of the child in Israel, caught in the midst of a suicide bombing--innocent, but still a witness to violence and destruction--strife and contention? And could not these words of the prophet also be the words of the mother in our country, whose son was killed by a drive-by shooter; the man whose wife was killed by a drunk driver; the woman whose life was shaped by an abusive father, or husband? There's something about this passage from Habakkuk that makes us cringe, and want to turn away. There's something about this passage from Habakkuk that--on a good day, seems, out of place and foreign. But these words aren't for believers who are having a good day; they aren't for believers whose lives are getting along fairly well. These words from our First Lesson are for those believers, who have been smacked in the face, with violence, wrong-doing, troubles and destruction. These words are for those of us who, at this point in life, or at some point in life, are having to face up to strife and contention--are being confronted with wickedness, and it feels like God just doesn't care. That's exactly how Habakkuk felt as he cried out to the Lord, asking, "How long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen?" We cry out, in the midst of pain, suffering, grief and loss, strife and contention, "Don't you care, Lord? Don't you see? Aren't you going to do anything?" Most of us have felt that way; most of us have cried out to the Lord, asking just those questions. Most of us will, at some time in life, before we're through. And Scripture gives voice to those questions, so that we can hear that we're not the only ones who are asking them. We hear them from the prophet Habakkuk, so that we won't feel so all alone, when we're struggling in life. And yes, it's nice that we're not alone in our despair. You know the saying, "misery loves company". But, is that all there is? Is it supposed to be enough, that we're not miserable, alone? Oh, the Lord gives Habakkuk, and us, an answer. But it may not be the answer we're wanting.

     Because the Lord answers, by telling us to be patient. The Lord answers Habakkuk, by commanding him to write the vision, to make it plain and clear on tablets, so that a runner may take it to God's people, and read it to them. For, the Lord says, "there is still a vision for the appointed time; the vision speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry--if it seems a long time getting here--if it seems like it will never come--", the Lord says, "wait for it...for the righteous are to live by faith."

     That--is the Lord's answer, to Habakkuk and to us. The whole book of Habakkuk is only three chapters long, and that's pretty much all that the Lord says, in answer to our cries. He says, there is a vision--and that vision will come to pass. He says the vision will bring, ultimately, good to the godly, and judgement on the wicked. So--the Lord says, wait for it. The righteous are to live, by their faith! And at that point, I suppose our words become the words of the apostles in our gospel lesson, "if the righteous are to live by their faith--Lord, increase our faith!"

     It's fine and good for the Lord to exhort us to live patiently in the midst of evil, strife and contention--to live by faith, trusting in God's vision that will surely not fail. But, right away, we feel inadequate. Right away, we question whether we have the faith, for that kind of living. With the disciples, we plead with the Lord, if this is what you expect of us, "increase our faith"! And wouldn't you think Jesus would answer, "All right, I will. I will increase your faith." But his answer, instead, suggests faith is not about "size", or "amount", or "quantity". Jesus says, "faith the size of a mustard seed--the smallest of all seeds in the known world at that time, would be enough to uproot a tree and plant it in the sea." And then Jesus goes on to speak with the disciples about doing their duty--about serving their Lord and master, living by the faith that is already, within them. Jesus seems to be saying, "it's not about having more faith--it's about drawing on the power and strength of the faith that is already in you." That's what his servants are to do--that's what it means to be his disciples--living the faith that is in us. St. Cyril of Alexandria, in a sermon from the fifth century, says, "Since all things are possible with God, the Lord says that all things are possible for him who believes. The power that comes to us through faith, is of God." The power that comes from faith, is not our power, but God's. The strength for living, being able to face adversity, strife, and evil, comes not from us, but from God. Faith itself, St. Paul, and Martin Luther proclaim over and over again-- is a gift from God! God's gift is sufficient--the faith God gives us, in Baptism, in the Lord's Supper, in the Word, is sufficient. We don't need "more". What is in us, may simply need to be stirred up, in us. That's what St. Paul is saying to Timothy in our second lesson, as he encourages Timothy to be steadfast in the faith. "For this reason," Paul writes to Timothy, "for this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline...so," St. Paul writes, "rely on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."

     We, each and every one of us, face strife, violence, destruction and contention; we face wickedness and evil every day of our lives--yet God calls us to wait for Him, to bring about his justice and vindication. God calls us not to lose heart, but to trust in His vision and plan for the future, living by faith. And we have been given that powerful, strong faith--but now and then, it needs to be rekindled in us--now and then it needs to be stirred up, within us...that it may be for us, a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. And so, let it be rekindled in us, today--this moment, as we are reminded of the gift of God that is within us; as we receive again, that power of God, that comes to us, not according to our own works, but according to his purpose and grace; as we hear proclaimed, again, the good news of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel! Live this week, not with a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear--but with a spirit of power, and love, and self-discipline--because, you live by faith in Christ Jesus, our Savior!

     In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.