Read Habakkuk 1:12-17
Habakkuk is processing God’s message to him in this second complaint. Have you ever said to God, “You’re going to do what?” You can imagine how unbelievable it would be to know that God was going to use an enemy nation to destroy the same misbehaving children who were appalling Habakkuk.
Habakkuk’s observations are valid, don’t you agree? Babylonian forces would be given victory and yet they weren’t believers in the one true God. How could that be? He calls out to God again saying, “Should you be silent while the wicked swallow up people more righteous than they?” This is a good example to show us how God can and will use any means possible to bring about his purposes in this world. We don’t always have to understand or agree.
Habakkuk seems to be wondering what God will be doing when this treachery takes place. Will God be silent? Will God let him die, too? We tend to get caught up in the details, too, and question God. Personally, I think it’s okay to question God. But if we’re going to question him, we need to be willing to wait for the response and then listen to it, whether we understand or not.
Bottom line, Habakkuk accepts God’s word, even though he doesn’t understand it. He believes it. He trusts God. We can see this in his language calling out God as “my holy one” and “our Rock.” We, too, know God to be eternal. I like the words of Isaiah 40:28, “Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.” It’s not our place to understand, it’s our place to trust.
Habakkuk wasn’t the only prophet to pronounce God’s judgment at the hands of the Babylonians. You may recall Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Isaiah were all given that message. Habakkuk’s proclamation is simple. He wants God’s purpose on earth to be fulfilled. He, and other prophets of his day, were very troubled by how their neighbors were behaving. God was going to swoop in and take care of such matters.
God disciplines us because he loves us. Habakkuk isn’t questioning that God disciplines, only “how” he is going to exercise that judgment. Habakkuk never abandons God or his faith in trusting God’s ways. He sets a good example for us.
After reading this second complaint of Habakkuk, we may find ourselves asking “how is God working out his purpose today?” Do you see him working? When is the last time you asked God about his plans for the world? For your life? What is God speaking to your heart?
Let’s pray. Lord, I feel a little like Habakkuk wanting to understand why you are allowing what you are in this world? I do trust you and know that your ways are so much better than I could possibly imagine. In the midst of any chaos in which I may find myself, Lord, help me to lean in to you and trust you. The promises of Your glorious provision bring hope. Thank you for the peace I feel amidst the storms of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
