Read Habakkuk 1:5-11
The Lord responds by giving quite a speech! Do you think Habakkuk had a hard time getting past the part about God raising up the Babylonians to destroy. But there is no direct mention of the terror they will bring on Judah.
Do you think Habakkuk “connected the dots” and realized God had heard his lament? God had also seen all the disrespect and evil that was troubling Habakkuk. The cruelty of the Babylonians would soon descend to discipline his own people.
God reassures Habakkuk that he is at work. The prophet can rest knowing that God is moving even if he cannot be seen. Likewise, we can rest in that same assurance. There are battles raging around us that we cannot see. God is opening doors and paving the way for us in ways we don’t even know.
It’s easier to look back over your life and see where God has been moving. Our past is full of lessons as well as blessings. Romans 8:28 is also a great text to rely on. It says: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
How does that make you feel to know God is working behind the scenes to direct your path and fight your battles? He might even use some unexpected resources to help you—just like he did for Judah with the Babylonians. You might not think that exile is a pleasant outcome, but it gave God’s people an opportunity for a reset so they could come back stronger and change their sinful ways.
God’s response also gives Habakkuk an explanation. This violence and capture would take place because God’s people had chosen to turn away from him. They had been given ample warnings from more than one prophet. God was desperately trying to get the attention of his loved ones, and yet they turned a deaf ear to God.
We certainly don’t want to fall into that temptation and turn away from God. This reading should not only give us assurance that God is always working, but also that he wants to be loved. This is a wake-up call to folks who selfishly go through life on auto-pilot giving little thought to God, their Creator and King.
Like Habakkuk, we are faithful people. We are probably distraught over what’s happening around us as well. So long as we stay in communication with God, trusting him, giving him praise for our gift of life, we can feel safe. The world may be crumbling around us, but when we rely on God, we can live in that chaos full of joy and hope.
We do still wonder how God makes it all possible. Our curious minds want to try and figure out God’s intentions, just like Habakkuk did. The wisdom from King Solomon comes to mind. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Let’s pray. Thank you, Lord, that I can bring my concerns to you. I know you will listen. Quiet my heart to hear your response. I love how you are always working in our world. I trust you even though I don’t always understand. Thank you for how the Holy Spirit gives me insights and clues to your holiness. I want to live in your will and never turn from you again. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
