We look around us sometimes at how much evil surrounds us and we ask, "God, why do you wait? Don’t you see the pain that we are all facing? How can you stand quietly when so many are blaspheming your name?" This was the question asked by Habakkuk.
Habakkuk 1: The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
2 O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!
3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.
4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.
God’s answer came as a two-fold answer. First, God’s judgement will come in God’s timing. Second, by mercy and grace; God waits.
Habakkuk 2: 2 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
By faith, we are lifted up not by our own righteousness; but by the righteousness bought by Christ and are able to continue to run forth with the truth of gospel though evil surrounds us because we can be assured that future grace will complete the work of God and fulfill God’s purpose in our lives. We can look forward to the ultimate end result which is.."the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord" Habakkuk 2:14. If we truly realize that God’s Glory and Beauty is our greatest treasure, one that we seek above all other; then do we patiently await and continue to labor for the lord by acting out the miracle of canceled sin in our life purchased by christ even in the midst of a world filled with evil and suffering. Then are we able to say "
17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places." Habakkuk 3:
EVIL SURROUNDS
Evil surrounds
Evil abounds
Pressing my life throughout each day
Quickening Sounds
Blaring around
Bidding my heart within to sway
Lord, let your light shine in my heart
Command all darkness to depart
Let Your love shine forth through me
That all evil is forced to flee
Evil Surrounds
Evil Abounds
Firm in Your Grace I cannot sway
Quickening Sounds
Blaring Around
Your still voice drives them away
It is Your love that presses on
When my strength is fully gone
Remove from me each selfish thought
On that cross my life You bought
Faith now Surounds
Hope now abounds
Your Righteousness gives way
Glorious Sounds
Praise all Around
Sin’s chains are gone away
Let your love reach through these hands
Feet firm set on this grace in which I stand
Let your glory shine through me
A light a darkened world might see.