Have you ever looked around at the world and wondered what in the world has happened? Do you ever see the injustice taking place and ask, “God, where are you?” If you were completely honest, I am sure the answer would be “Yes!” We look at the world, see the sufferings and the persecutions of Christians, and in our hearts we inquire God as to what He is up to. This is not anything new. The prophet Habakkuk posed this question, “O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?” (verse 1). Habakkuk sees the injustice and violence going on and does not understand what is going on. Yet, in his loss, he turns to the LORD. While he doesn’t understand where God is at work, he goes to Him. And the LORD answers him. In His answer, the LORD shows He is not indifferent to what is occurring nor is He uncaring. God is, indeed, doing a work (verse 5). The astounding truth, however, is the work itself. Verse 6 tells us, “For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth, to seize dwellings not their own.” God will use the Chaldeans, enemies of Judah, to bring judgment upon Israel for their sin (vv. 5-11). They are not innocent. They are being given their due judgment for participating and rebelling against God. Not all is without hope, though. As will be seen throughout Habakkuk, God responds to Habakkuk and brings him to the reality that He uses painful experiences for His sovereign purposes. This is seen most clearly in the gospel. God’s judgment, His wrath, was satisfied in the suffering of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. His sovereign purpose because of His justice is to rightly punish sin. Because He is just and justifier, He can save (Romans 3:26). Jesus Christ took our sin, took God’s judgment, and we can be forgiven and saved. So, when we see evil around the world, may we look into our lives and pray for God to open our eyes to repentance and to pray the same for others.
Reflection Time:
- How do you respond to the injustice around the world, especially toward those of faith? What do you learn from God’s response to Habakkuk?
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