How to Trust God in a Chaotic WorldНамуна

Alright, you may think. Suppose we pay attention to the injustice and brokenness around us, even when we want to look away. Then what? Do we acknowledge it and then put on a happy face? What do we do with anger, sadness, and powerlessness in the face of the horrific evil of this world that we cannot stop?

This is exactly where we join Habakkuk on his journey. You see, this prophet’s book isn’t a collection of his messages from God like some other prophetic books. Nor is it a narrative of his life, like the book of Jonah.

Habakkuk does something different—he invites us into his conversation with God like we’re sitting in on his prayer meeting. We have a front-row seat to Habakkuk’s wrestling, listening, bravery, and gritty faith. We get to see what real faith in the middle of chaos, wrongdoing, and suffering actually looks like.

Habakkuk’s Chaos

Habakkuk’s situation can feel far from our lived experience, but it really isn’t. He lived in a time of political chaos, violence, and a whole lot of wrong. He witnessed strong leadership and even revival. Then, he saw it all crumble before his eyes as leaders lived for their own power and believed in their own authority. Oppression, danger, and hardship enveloped his society. Sound familiar?

Our friend, Habakkuk, lived under the rule of King Jehoiakim. It wasn’t a virtuous reign.

Jehoiakim raised taxes to fuel his own lifestyle and to pay Egypt their tribute. His lavish buildings required slave labor and abuse of his own people. The people lived in poverty as he built his costly homes. He clashed with Jeremiah, whom God used to warn him of coming judgment.

What was Jehoiakim’s response to God’s correction? He burned Jeremiah’s scroll bit by bit, literally silencing the word of God written for the people. To further silence the prophets who would dare to speak against him, Jehoiakim sent out assassins. Habakkuk faced the threat of death!

Habakkuk’s Paying Attention

In the midst of all that Habakkuk saw, he spoke. Habakkuk had a burden weighing on him after paying attention, and he told God about it. It’s as if the prophet puts his arm around us and invites us into his prayer.

Habakkuk may appear brash to us as he accuses God of dallying instead of saving. But Habakkuk’s prayer wasn’t impertinent; it was like a child, scared and hurting, asking for help from a devoted parent.

He described the oppression and violence that smacked him in his face. It escalated, piling higher and higher, like a mountain that blocks the sun. It felt hopeless.

“When will it be too much, God?” Have you asked that?

Isn’t this the common pattern of injustice? Those who should have done right have done wrong. Those who should have stood up to stop it didn’t.

Do you feel like you’re living in that place where you, in some form or fashion, long for the wrong to finally be set right? Friend, that’s where Habakkuk was living. The wicked surrounding the righteous and justice coming out bent.