◄ What Does Habakkuk 1:2 Mean? ►

When people walk away from the God Who created them and allow unbiblical laws to be passed and ungodly activities to dictate how they live, then national corruption and global crisis soon follows.

This was the state of affairs in Israel when, in anguish of heart, the prophet Habakkuk wrote his heart-rending book as he tried to understand why God did not appear to answer his pleading cries for help.

The days in which we live seem to reflect much of the evil of Habakkuk's time... as Christians in this present evil age cry out to the Lord for relief and succour. But their pleading cries and petitioning prayers, often seem to fall on deaf ears. We hear of wars and rumours of wars. We read of death and destruction and we grieve to hear of the intense suffering, persecution, and slaughter of many martyrs of the faith throughout this God-hating, Christ-rejecting, anti-Semitic, Christian-despising, sinful world.

Habakkuk cried out to the Lord in confusion, for he thought that God had forsaken them and was indifferent to his distress. "How long, O LORD, will I call for help," was the agonising appeal that this prophet of God made to the Lord, "and how long will You not hear?" he pleaded. "I cry out to You, 'Violence!' and yet You do not save."

There are many believers in the world today who are lifting up their voices in like-manner because they see violence and destruction all around, and are pleading with the Lord to act on their behalf. But their prayers seem to freeze on their lips as they cry out to a closed and brassy heaven.

Early in his writings, Habakkuk made a genuine enquiry of the Lord. He asked WHY he was forced to witness such injustice and WHY should he have to tolerate so much wrong-doing? This prophet of God was surrounded on all sides by destruction and violence, strife, injustice, and corruption. He despaired, for the wicked hemmed in the righteous and justice was perverted, good was called evil, and wickedness was hailed as being virtuous.

But Habakkuk's fear turns to faith and his distress is stilled as the Lord answered His cries... explaining that relief will certainly come... but only at God's appointed time and only in His designated way.

Habakkuk was charged to record the vision that he received from the Lord, for those of us that would follow after. For although he discovered that even worse was to befall the stricken nation of Israel, justice would one day be meted out to the wicked, while the righteous would indeed be vindicated - but only at God's designated time and only in His appointed way.

Habakkuk believed the Word of the Lord and determined that no matter what terror, troubles, or trials befell him, he would maintain his trust in God - for the Sovereign Lord is our strength and has promised that His grace is sufficient. He makes our feet as sturdy as the feet of a deer, enabling us to navigate the most mountainous heights.

Though we and our Christian brothers and sisters are facing the terrors of today, we have the Word of God that contains many precious promises that are all 'YES' and 'AMEN' in Christ.

Let us determine that despite the destruction and violence in the world... and the strife, corruption, and injustice we witness, we will stand firm on the Word of truth and trust God to fulfil His promises - for the vision Habakkuk received is as relevant today as it was in the distant past. The plans and purposes of God will certainly come to pass and will not be delayed - but only at God's appointed time and only in His designated way.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Habakkuk who, despite the violence and destruction he had to go through, held fast to Your precious promises and determined to praise Your name, no matter what terrors, tribulation, or trials he had to face. Thank You for their prophetic writings which help us to see the end from the beginning, and I praise Your name for the assurance that justice will one day be carried out. May I be equally determined to trust in Your love and rest in the truth of Your Word. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.