In a not-so-organized fashion, I’ve been trying to read the Bible in a year. I started out last March by reading Matthew while I was in Haiti. I figured I had never actually read through all the Gospels and I really just wanted to read about Jesus. I made my way through the entire New Testament and flipped back to Genesis to start the Old Testament. Now – I had previously tried MANY times to read the Bible, starting in Genesis and making my way forward. However, I always found myself giving up around Kings and Chronicles because I didn’t understand that they were essentially telling the same stories – just from different perspectives. So for my latest attempt, I decided to read the Old Testament in chronological order… and everything finally started clicking into place! I’ve been able to read portions of Kings and Chronicles together, read the Psalms as they would relate to various events in David’s life and get a feel for the political climate at the times that a number of the prophets were ministering to the people. For someone who appreciates getting lost in the details, this reading approach has really allowed the Bible to come to life for me.
And Thursday night – I made it to Habakkuk. I was so greatly encouraged and inspired by what I read there that I wanted to share it with you as well as put my reaction into words so that I could remind myself of what I learned when I need it most while out on the Race. Here’s what I learned:
Habakkuk was a prophet to Judah during the years just before they were taken into captivity. He lived during the same time as King Josiah when Judah was beginning to see somewhat of a revival. But Habakkuk, recognizing that it was too little, too late and that judgment would have to be brought upon them, cried out to God:
“How long, O Lord, will I call for help and You will not hear? I cry out to You, ‘Violence!’ Yet You do not save. Why do You make me see iniquity, and cause me to look on wickedness? Yes, destruction and violence are before me; strife exists and contention arises. Therefore the law is ignored and justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore justice comes out perverted.” (Hab 1:1-4)
He wanted God to DO SOMETHING. I imagine that while I am out on the Race I will see much suffering and injustice – and that I will cry out to God, asking Him why He isn’t doing anything. So I look toward God’s answer to Habakkuk’s cries:
“For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay … the righteous will live by his faith.” (Hab 2:3,4)
I will need to remind myself that God’s timing is perfect and that He has a purpose for allowing any suffering or injustice to be prolonged. Or maybe I find myself facing unexpected circumstances – something that doesn’t line up with my understanding of how I thought God was leading me. I will also need to understand that God most likely will NOT answer my cries in any way that I could possibly come up with. God tells Habakkuk that not only will Judah’s wickedness be judged, but that He would use the Babylonians of all people as His instrument for doing so. Can you imagine how horrified Habakkuk must have been to hear that a people more wicked than themselves would be used by God to punish Judah? Where’s the justice in that? But even though he didn’t fully understand God’s plan and reasons, Habakkuk trusted Him.
“Are You not from everlasting, O Lord, my God, my Holy One? We will not die. You, O Lord, have appointed them to judge; and You, O Rock, have established them to correct.” (Hab 1:12)
Habakkuk knew that Babylon had no power other than that given to them by God. He is sovereign – in every time and situation. And He will use whomever He chooses for His purposes. Habakkuk didn’t understand why God was choosing to work in the way He did – but he walked by faith and continued to trust in God’s faithfulness. In those situations, I will need to remember to trust God and His plan even though I don’t understand His reasons or methodologies. It’s not for me to understand – I merely have to walk in faith and continue to submit to His will.
As we all know, God was faithful. Judah was taken captive by the Babylonians – and they persevered. And in His perfect timing, the Babylonians were judged and overthrown for their own wickedness. He was faithful to His Word then; He continues to be faithful to His Word now.
Habakkuk ends his book with a prayer and it’s the last 3 verses which really brought this entire book home to me:
“Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my high places.” (Hab 3:17-19)
Do I have confidence in Him regardless of the circumstances? Will I praise Him even when I don’t understand His plan? When I feel hopeless, helpless and powerless? When I’m exhausted and can’t readily see the fruit of my labors? May it always be so.
Lord, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your faithfulness – to us who are so unworthy. Thank You for calling Your servant Habakkuk and for His faithfulness which serves as a reminder to me in times when I am discouraged and disappointed. I pray that I would continue to learn how to praise You in ALL circumstances and that I would continue to walk in faith, knowing that You are faithful and sovereign in all things.
“His splendor covers the heavens, and the earth is full of His praise. His radiance is like the sunlight.” (Hab 3:3,4)
