Rejoice in the Lord: A Study in HabakkukSample

What does it say?

Habakkuk asked the Lord how long injustice and wickedness would continue in Judah. God responded that He was raising the Chaldeans as a solution.

What does it mean?

In the early 7th century BC, Judah was a mess. It was in a state of moral and spiritual decline to the point that even laws were pointless because the justice system was corrupt. The prophet Habakkuk questioned how a righteous and fair God could tolerate such systematic and widespread corruption. Sometimes God punishes immediately, but sometimes he waits, allowing extreme wrongdoing. Judah's sin was well documented, so His judgment by the Babylonians was justified when it came. Whether He is quick or slow to bring about justice, He will always bring about justice.

How should I respond?

Has someone mistreated you? What person or group seems to have escaped very bad behavior with little or no punishment? God created us to reflect Who He is. Human nature seeks justice because God is just, but remember…God is also patient. How are you demonstrating patience in your concern for justice? While it's important to pray for oppressed people, we should also pray for the oppressors, no matter how hard that may be. God is not only just and fair, but He is also patient and merciful with those who have misbehaved – that includes us.