I admit that Habakkuk is one of my favourite minor prophets. I love his honesty and his attitude. He feels comfortable in asking God questions (that it is acceptable for him to do so). He, like most of us, just does not understand first, what God is not doing; then second, what God says He is going to do. He trusts God's character, but he cannot understand God's ways.
Does that sound familiar? Many OT saints had the same struggle that we have. They, and we, wonder why God is not stepping in to prevent a disaster in the making. Or we wonder why God is allowing evil people, evil groups, or evil countries to "get away" with what they are doing.
So Habakkuk asks God and waits for an answer. When God does answer his two questions, he really doesn't like either answer. But he affirms that he will trust God.
In fact his affirmation of trust and faith at the end of the book is a classic; one of the all time great statements of "I will trust God no matter what" found anywhere in the Bible.
If ever you need to encourage someone that doubt, honest questions and strong faith in God can actually co-exist in one person, just tell them to read through Habakkuk several times. A wonderful brief book providing an encouraging example and a marvellous message. Yup, one of my favourites.
Does that sound familiar? Many OT saints had the same struggle that we have. They, and we, wonder why God is not stepping in to prevent a disaster in the making. Or we wonder why God is allowing evil people, evil groups, or evil countries to "get away" with what they are doing.
So Habakkuk asks God and waits for an answer. When God does answer his two questions, he really doesn't like either answer. But he affirms that he will trust God.
In fact his affirmation of trust and faith at the end of the book is a classic; one of the all time great statements of "I will trust God no matter what" found anywhere in the Bible.
If ever you need to encourage someone that doubt, honest questions and strong faith in God can actually co-exist in one person, just tell them to read through Habakkuk several times. A wonderful brief book providing an encouraging example and a marvellous message. Yup, one of my favourites.
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