HabakkukНамуна

Habakkuk lived in a time of great turmoil. In the midst of his own nation’s faithlessness and rebellion to God’s Word, he saw other nations rising up that would challenge Israel. He saw the commonplace violence and destruction all around him. It seemed like God wasn’t doing anything during these events. In our lives, we can also question what God is doing in the midst of our own tragedy. Like Habakkuk, we should realize it is normal to ask these questions, to call out to God and ask him to intervene in our time of trouble. Surely, Job felt the same when his children were killed, and all his possessions were stripped from him. It is not a lack of faith to complain about our circumstances to God. Too often, we believe that questioning and crying out to God shows a lack of faith.  However, our complaints and wrestling with faith allow us to join in a long line of people throughout history who have grown in faith by asking God questions and seeking out answers. Even Jesus himself asked God if there was a way to redeem humanity from their sins that didn’t involve the cross. The Bible is full of examples of people who were able to walk the line of asking questions to God without questioning God’s plans.

Reflection Questions:

Who are other people in Scripture who asked questions of God in troubling times?

How is asking God questions different than questioning God?