I was reading the Book of Habakkuk this morning, (Not sure I’ve ever said that phrase before!), and thought it was, perhaps, an interesting parallel for so many of us today.
Unlike other prophets who made proclamations on God’s behalf, Habakkuk boldly approached God with the heart-wrenching questions of humanity.
Read these questions from Habakkuk, and see if they don’t sound a tad bit familiar…
“How long, LORD, must I call for help,
but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’
but you do not save?
Why do you make me look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?
Destruction and violence are before me;
there is strife, and conflict abounds.
Therefore the law is paralyzed,
and justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous,
so that justice is perverted.” (Habakkuk 1:2-4)
Wowzer! Those are some gutsy questions coming from the little guy to the Creator of the Universe!
Prepare to be Amazed
What's interesting about God's response is that He doesn't seem the least bit offended or surprised by Habakkuk's questions.
In fact, He treats the inquiries as an entry point to authentic conversation. He uses the opportunity to speak reassurance, hope and even excitement back into the heart of His servant.
God replied, “Look at the nations and watch —
and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told.” (1:5)
Over the next several verses, God essentially reminds Habakkuk that justice would be served, the wrong would be made right, His purposes would be accomplished. And He would use it all to turn hearts back to Him.
God didn’t say how; He didn’t say when. He just said, “Trust me, I’ve got this…in my perfect timing.”
Though the Fig Tree Does Not Bud
Renewed by the love and power of his Heavenly Father, Habakkuk ends the conversation with an authentic and beautiful song of praise.
“Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are not sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a dear,
he enables me to tread on the heights.” (3:17-19)
Habakkuk still didn’t know all the answers. Even so, he felt at peace in the arms of the One who would sustain him through it all.
Authentic Faith
In these times of uncertainty, we could certainly learn a lot from Habakkuk about authentic faith and the true Source of our trust.
Got questions for God? Go ahead and ask them! There’s no use to pretending with the God who knows all and sees all. He’s certainly big enough to handle your concerns!
In our honesty, we open our hearts to receive the unshakable hope that can only come from God our loving Father. He is our joy. He is our strength. And He works all things for the good of those who love Him… in His perfect timing.