Habakkuk, God's Timing

Have you ever looked at the world and wondered why God isn't doing anything about it? We are constantly bombarded with reports of murder, abuse, and senseless loss of life. Evil seems to be everywhere, at home and abroad. We look at our government and politics and wonder how any good can come from it.

Looking at our churches we see much of the same thing. We see people leaving in droves simply because Christianity is no longer socially advantageous. The sin that plagues the outside world is just as prevalent in the body. Everything seems to be going wrong.

It is in these situations and moments that we wonder what God is doing. It seems like he isn't doing anything at all. How could he let such evil go unpunished? How could he sit idly by while his people dwindle and stagnate? Surprisingly, the Bible asks these very questions in the book of Habakkuk.

Background

The book of Habakkuk was written by the prophet Habakkuk around 630 BC. Not much else is known about him. What we do know is that this isn't your typical prophetic book. Most of them start with God contacting the prophet. This book begins with Habakkuk asking God some questions.

Themes

Habakkuk wants to know why God isn't doing anything, at least from his limited perspective. Instead of explaining it, I want you to just read what Habakkuk asks.

"O YHWH, how long shall I cry for help,

and you will not hear?

Or cry to you "Violence!"

and you will not save?

Why do you make me see iniquity,

and why do you idly look at wrong?

Destruction and violence are before me;

strife and contention arise.

So the law is paralyzed,

and justice never goes forth.

For the wicked surround the righteous;

so justice goes forth perverted."

Habakkuk 1:2-4

How often do we ask these very questions today? The problems facing Habakkuk are the very same ones we face today. We are surrounded by violence and injustice. It feels like the righteous are constantly under attack by the wicked. Still more incredible than Habakkuk's question is God's answer.

"Look among the nations and see;

wonder and be astounded.

For I am doing a work in your days

that you would not believe if told."

Habakkuk 1:5

God then goes on and explains what he is doing during Habakkuk's time. The rest of the book is similar. Habakkuk asks a question about what God is doing and God answers. At first Habakkuk complains that God is using the Babylonians (also called the Chaldeans) for his purposes, since they are more evil than Judah. Still God answers again, promising that his perfect will be carried out in his own time. 

Chapter 3 ends the book with Habakkuk surrendering to God's will and timing. It is a truly remarkable prayer and is just a little too long to put here. Suffice it to say that you should read it. It is something we all probably need to hear.

Theological Point

God is always working in this world, especially when we can't see it. It is often the times when we aren't aware of what God is doing that he is working on us the most. It is in these moments that we need to learn to surrender to the power of God.

As we look around us we want change now. We want justice now. God's timing is perfect. What may not make sense to us is the best thing for us. It is important that we learn to surrender to God's timing and let him lead the way.

Conclusion

I think the book of Habakkuk is especially relevant right now. This election cycle has been quite possibly the ugliest in American history (this blog was written before the election, so I don't know who won.) We see the news of civil war in Syria and the countless innocent lives that have been displaced or killed. We see our churches in America shrink and grow disinterested. We must remember that God is always on the move and that his timing is perfect.