As Habakkuk begins his prayer to God, he is heavily burdened by all the strife, contention, violence, and self-exalting behaviors within his nation. Therefore, He cries out to God for allowing such injustice and lawlessness; while the remnant of true believers and worshipers of God are being pushed around by the “wicked.” He asks God: “Why aren’t you doing something?” (my paraphrase of Habakkuk 1:2-4).
God replies; “Wait and see as I am about to do something you will not believe, unless you see it with your own eyes. I am strengthening a very evil nation who will take captive the nation of Judah” ( my paraphrase of Habakkuk 1: 5-9)
Don’t believe me? Read:
HABAKKUK 1:5-9 (TLB)
The Lord replied: “Look, and be amazed! You will be astounded at what I am about to do! For I am going to do something in your own lifetime that you will have to see to believe. 6 I am raising a new force on the world scene, the Chaldeans,[a] a cruel and violent nation who will march across the world and conquer it. 7 They are notorious for their cruelty. They do as they like, and no one can interfere. 8 Their horses are swifter than leopards. They are a fierce people, more fierce than wolves at dusk. Their cavalry move proudly forward from a distant land; like eagles they come swooping down to pounce upon their prey. 9 All opposition melts away before the terror of their presence. They collect captives like sand.
FROM BURDENED TO HORRIFIED
Well, if you think Habakkuk was burdened before; now, he is horrified. How could God use evil to combat evil?
12 Art thou not from everlasting, O Lord my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O Lord, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. 13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? Habakkuk 1:12-13
In other words, wait a minute, God! Aren’t you perfect righteousness? How can you possibly allow such evil to grow upon the earth? After all, those people I was complaining about. Well, they aren’t so terribly evil; like the ones you are going to allow to overthrow us are?
“This was Habakkuk’s problem: since the Babylonians were even more wicked than the people of Judah, why would God choose a more wicked nation to punish a nation which was comparatively less wicked? This would not be the first time God had used such a method. In Isaiah 10:5 the Assyrian is called the rod of God’s anger. . .After God had used Assyria for the chastisement of Israel, He judged Assyria for her own sins.”1
GOD IS SOVEREIGN AND RULES OVER NATIONS
We must be diligently in prayer for our nation, trusting God has a plan that is good for all who seek Him. Does God cause evil to arise? God cannot create evil; however, as He is All that is pure and good; all He must do for evil to rise is steady His hand of judgement and suspend His Presence for a moment in time—evil will rise. Yet, even then; He does it with a watchful eye; using their evil for our good.
As Joseph learned when his brothers, desiring his death; sold him into slavery. Years later, when Joseph sat in a seat of power; his brothers were afraid for all they had done. Joseph told them, “19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good” (Genesis 50).
The same remains true today: because, God Never Changes. No matter how dark the place you are in; God has a plan of good for you if you know Him. Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Do you seek God and to sit in His presence?
GOD’S PROMISES ARE POWER TO RISE WHEN WE ARE BURDENED
That is His promise to us. Yet, He knows that our hearts cannot be satisfied until we find our satisfaction in Him. Furthermore, He is the Joy, the Hope, and the Peace we so desperately need; however, too often we seek other pleasures which lead to despair in the end. Therefore, when you don’t see the answers unfolding as you feel they should; remember, and hold fast to God’s promises. Sometimes that is hard; however, “Stop, remember, He is God and You are not.” This thought is beautifully presented in the Song Thy Will Be Done by Hillary Scott.
It’s hard to count it all joy
Distracted by the noise
Just trying to make sense
Of all your promises
Sometimes I gotta stop
Remember that you’re God
And I am not
So
Thy will be done2
REMEMBER THIS
Faith is knowing God IS (Sovereign, Almighty, Perfect Righteousness, Omnipotent, LOVE, Grace, Perfect Justice—the Great I AM, the Being without whom there is nothingness) and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. (my paraphrase of Hebrews 11:6)
concluding tweets
[tweetthis]Whenever you don’t understand, trust God; because, He is Faithful[/tweetthis]
[tweetthis]God is Sovereign over all nations; we are not afraid; because, we trust Him.[/tweetthis]
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.
OR ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?
If you have a prayer request email me by clicking here or comment here
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Living Bible (TLB)
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
1J. Vernon McGee, Through the Bible with J. Vernon McGee: volume III Proverbs-Malachi, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 841
2 Hillary Scott, Emily Weisband and Bernie Herms, Thy Will Be Done, © 2016 W.B.M. Music Corp., accessed 9/25/17, http://www.air1.com/music/artists/hillary-scott/songs/thy-will-lyrics.aspx
Photo by Bill Hamway on Unsplash