The book of Habbakuk, hidden near the end of the Old Testament, is a little gem. Its words are real and raw … and resonate today. It tells of Habakkuk’s personal struggle of trying to believe that God is good when there’s so much evil and tragedy in the world. In a series of poems, he draws God’s attention to an example of suffering or injustice in the world, and then demands a response.
By the end of this book, Habakkuk has partial answers to his questions, but realizes difficult questions don’t always lend themselves to easy answers. Sometimes we don’t understand God’s truth. Sometimes we don’t want to hear the truth. Sometimes we accept now and trust that we will understand later. Faith, ultimately, is a choice, and Habakkuk is a shining example of living by faith. He recognizes just how dark and chaotic the world and our lives have and can become. He ponders the answers given by God. Then, he invites us into a journey of faith, of trusting that God loves this world and that one day God will deal with its evil.
“How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?”
The book opens with a bold question. Also, a very relatable one.
Habakkuk reminds us that Scripture makes room for honest frustration when answers don’t come as quickly or completely as we’d like. He reminds us that God makes room for honest, even blunt, questions.
And yet, as the book unfolds, something shifts. The prophet doesn’t necessarily get the answers he was hoping for—but he gains a deeper vision of who God is. He also gains a deeper understanding of himself and his willingness for a faith forged in trust.
It would be nice if God occasionally included a timeline. Even a rough estimate. But in the absence of that, we are invited to keep bringing God our questions, and to keep listening for answers.
Prayer: Lord, when answers are slow in coming or when I don’t fully understand what’s happening, keep my heart anchored in you. Help me trust your wisdom, even when I don’t understand your timing. Amen.
