If every Christian in the world submitted one question to God using only one word, we probably can guess it would be—“why?” Of course, some would say, “Oh! It is sinful to question God.” If that were true then Jesus sinned on the cross. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” (Matt 27:46)? In fact, throughout the Bible people asked God why. So Moses said to the Lord, “Why have You been so hard on Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight . . . (Num 11:11). “But sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us (Judges 6:13)? God formed man with an inherent yearning to understand. Without this characteristic, humanity would have made no advancements in the world. Questions never intimidate God.
Habbakkuk serves as a model for us when we ask God why. The prophet had two questions, “Why?” and “How long?” Habbakkuk a contemporary of Jeremiah lived in troubling times. The last four kings of Judah had rejected the Lord. Sin was rampant throughout society. Habakkuk could not comprehend why God didn’t punish the wicked. He asked why and “how long” he would cry out for God’s help but no answer came. He also wanted to know the reason the Lord used the Babylonians to punish His people. Their wickedness was far beyond that of Judah. A question I ponder is why God doesn’t bring down the rule of evil despots that bring suffering and torture beyond description to Christians today. In Revelation, John give insight when he sees the souls of those who had been violently killed because of the word of God and because of the testimony they had given (6:9 NET). They ask “How long, Sovereign Master . . . before you judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood” (v10)? God answers only telling them it wasn’t time yet because more martyrs were coming.
The Holy Spirit may immediately answer by opening our eyes or mind to the obvious answer. When Hagar and Ishmael were near death in the wilderness because they had drank all their water, Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water (Gen 21:19). Our problems arise when He doesn’t answer. We must accept the truth His answer may come in the future or the fact He may never tell us why in our lifetime. Faith is trusting God even when we don’t understand. God did not answer Habbakkuk but after he recalled the greatness of the Lord, he wrote I must wait quietly for the day of distress (3:16). He determined no matter what happened (v17), no matter how difficult life might become, he would exult in the Lord (v18). In the mist of his troubled times he declared, The Lord God is my strength (v19). Habakkuk affirmed his faith although he didn’t comprehend God’s ways or His timing.
Maybe he had read the writings of his predecessor Isaiah. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts (Isa 55:8, 9). Habakkuk realized that despite the fact he did not understand he could trust God because of who He is and in His goodness, love, and sovereignty over His creation. He rested in the fact, As for God, his way is perfect (Ps 18:30 NIV). He ends his thoughts with a song of thanksgiving. It’s as if Habbakkuk concluded, “I don’t understand all that’s taking place or why God is doing it this way, but I will thank God anyhow!” The Lord helped Habbakkuk rise above his circumstances and stand above the troubling times around him. His closing words, The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places (3:19).
“But what about when my life falls apart?” We may ignore the sin around us or disregard the threats against our nation from the world. However, when troubles and suffering knocks on our front door, faith enters a whole new realm. It is far easier for us to trust God for others and tell them it will be all right, than when we face the same circumstances. Then we should recall Habakkuk’s example. It’s ok to ask why or how long but then we trust Him if His answer isn’t what we expected or He doesn’t answer. No matter how traumatic life appears or how silent God seems, He is sovereign and still in control. Don’t blame God for your troubles. Satan seeks to destroy everything we possess and tempt us to believe God did it. But, the devil cannot separate us from God. Who will separate us from the love of Christ (Rom 8:35)? In times of adversity, we must keep eternity in mind. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Rom 8:18). God created us to worship and glorify Him, but we can’t base it on the temporal, physical, or mental blessings of life, but on Who He is.
Sustaining Word for the Week: “I know the sorrow, I know the hurt, Would all go away if You’d just say the word, But even if You don’t, My hope is You alone” (Even If by Mercy Me). I will thank God anyhow!