Year of the Bible: Part Eight of TwelveSample

Waiting for God's Justice

Habakkuk is refreshingly relatable; he lived in a time of much evil. Habakkuk saw that Israel was heading for destruction, and rather than warning the people, he went straight to God with all his feelings and questions. Wrestling with the people's sins and God's solution, Habakkuk questioned God about dealing with the sins around him and was astounded when God said Babylon would be the instrument of justice. Habakkuk seemed to think that God had lost His mind! The question "Why would a loving God allow evil?" is common in our culture. Sometimes when we cry out for God to do something, it seems like all that happens is an increase in evil.

As we grow in our relationship with God, we will have questions; sometimes, we may get an answer we don’t like! Habakkuk wasn't afraid to ask God tough questions and waited to hear His answer, but God's ways were different from Habakkuk's idea of justice. Habakkuk asked why such a wicked nation as Babylon would be allowed to reprimand God's people.

God clarified that human sin will always lead to cultures and kingdoms that won't honor Him. That is why He gave clear guidelines for following the one true God. As believers, we can relate to Habakkuk when we lament that our culture is going crazy and call out to God for change. He is not blind to evil and is still extending His hand to each person through the death of His son Jesus.

No matter how God draws people to Himself, the purpose is always reconciliation. Habakkuk wanted God to fix the issues. God was patient enough to work the long game so the people would come to Him of their choosing. He will destroy evil and win in the end; we must be patient in the waiting.

Question: What are you begging God to change in your life and the culture around you?

Prayer: Ask God to give you eyes to see and ears to hear as He does. Ask Him to help you submit to His ways even when they don't seem bold enough or fast enough. Take some time to declare what you want to see and ask God for the patience to wait for those things to come to fruition.