Habakkuk had come to plead for his nation. He first asked God, “Why God haven’t you judge the evil within the nation.” Wanting righteousness restored, he cried “God, do something!” Yet, God’s answer horrified Habakkuk; at least, at first. He turned his question to ask God why once more. This time, his confusion was how God could allow an idolatrous nation such as Babylon to flourish, grow and be given the power to take all of Judah captive. After all, Habakkuk’s prayer to revive the nation and cleanse it from so much evil, certainly did not expect God’s answer to be “a truly evil power will take everyone captive.” Habakkuk, again asked God why. Then, he waits for God’s Answer, demonstrating how to wait for God’s reply, whether regarding personal, family or national requests of God. How to wait for God’s answer when our question is “Why?”
I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. Habakkuk 2:1
Watchfully wait for God to show the truth of his reasoning. Many times, in my own life, I searched for God to answer. Asking for God to heal my husband or my mother. I asked God why He allowed the abuse I suffered or the cancer I battled. Why, God so many surgeries or suffering moments? How can THIS be your plan God? Or perhaps the hardest, why God does it seem that evil is winning?
WATCHFULLY WAIT, EXPECTING AN ANSWER
Habakkuk, after asking why, decided to watchfully wait for God’s answer, “and what I shall answer when I am reproved.” He knew God had a reason, even if he did not understand that reason. He also knew God’s reason was just and righteous. That is faith. Even when we cannot see the answer, we know God has a plan for good; because, we know God.
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)
Habakkuk knew that his erroneous misunderstanding of the plan needed correction; because, he knew God and trusted that His plan would be best no matter what!
Charles Stanley wrote, “Some of life’s greatest lessons are learned while we wait. Some of life’s hardest classrooms are waiting rooms. But there are vast rewards in waiting.”1
Habakkuk sat aside a place and time to await God’s answer to why? He expected that God would answer within the perfect timing of God. Do you have a place and time you meet with God so He can answer you?
Jerry Falwell lived by faith, often awaiting God’s answer to some very profound visions as God called him to establish Thomas Road Baptist Church and to build Liberty University. He claimed that mountain, Liberty Mountain, for God. He wrote, “Spend time with God to get your vision from Him …. The prophet (Habakkuk) had a place and time where he met God.”2
ANSWER FROM GOD
And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 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. (Habakkuk 2:2-3)
Don’t miss this! As Habakkuk waited, God answered. He told him to write it down clearly, plainly on tablets; so, others see it and read it. Thereby, strengthening their faith through it. God’s answer was a vision of what was yet to come and everyone would need to hold fast to God’s promise, by faith as the days might grow darker before the dawn. They would need to hold tight to God’s promise, so write it down!
Write down God’s promises, cling to them during the storms of this life. They will be the anchor for your soul. Knowing who God is, we can trust in His plan; even when all appears lost!
WAIT, TRUSTING GOD’S FUTURE GRACE
God told Habakkuk “the vision” WILL happen at a specific God appointed time. Then God said, “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). The redeemed live by faith; not the works of their own uprightness. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).
THEREFORE, HOW TO WAIT FOR GOD’S ANSWER
- Watchfully, expectantly, knowing God will answer at His perfect time. Take time to be alone with Him, so you can clearly hear His answer
- Write down His answer, keep a journal
- Know that He is present, building your faith as He prepares to bring you His best
- Rest upon His promises, found in the scripture
- Never forget, GOD IS THE GREAT I AM AND HE REWARDS THOSE WHO DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM. Are you seeking Him? If so, why worry or fret?
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
I have seen the Mighty Hand of God take every circumstance in my life to turn it into joy, hope. His loving hand of Grace proved to be bigger than my questions why. Is every step of the journey easy now? From the outside, people looking at me would say no. My life remains filled with trials; however, I now see them as mere stepping stones to God’s greater revelations of His Glory and Grace toward me. I will wait for His revelation of all the whys one day. Until then I will remain in watchful, expectant prayer, knowing His Plan Is Best.
1Charles Stanley, Charles Stanley’s Handbook for Christian Living, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1996), 334
2Jerry Falwell, Building Dynamic Faith, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2005), 30
CONCLUDING TWEETS
[bctt tweet=”God’s plan is perfect, just with Grace and Love; even when we don’t understand.” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]Wait for God’s Answer, watchfully, expectantly: He will reveal it to you[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”When your questions are all “Why, God” Wait watchfully, expectantly for His answer” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”GOD IS THE GREAT I AM & HE REWARDS THOSE WHO DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM Are you seeking?” username=”effiedarlene”]
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?
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OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE
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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.
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