"Oh Lord, how long shall I cry, and you will not hear? Even cry out to you, "Violence!" And you will not save. Why do you show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; There is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore perverse judgement proceeds." (Habakkuk 1:2-4).
These words of the prophet Habakkuk echo his frustration at seeing the wicked men of Judah go unpunished in their evil deeds, rejoicing in the slaughter of other nations. Although it seemed God was far off, and utterly detached, He was bringing judgement on Judah with the coming invasion of the Babylonians. God was working on His time schedule, for He punishes to the third and fourth generation. As the prophet makes his groanings known to the Lord, and God replies to him, the dialogue becomes one of greater awe and appreciation towards the Lord. We too, as we draw nearer to Him, should cast aside all doubts and bear nothing but praise. Habakkuk ends with a statement which echoes much of Job:
"Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flocks be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. " (3:17-18)
Reading this guides my attitude in the right direction, for I will continue to praise God, no matter how I feel or what my circumstances may be. God never told us it would be easy, but the Truth is a heavy burden to bear in this world, when lies are more powerful than anything else. Keep praying for our hearts to stand up in the face of any pressures the world throws at us, just like Habakkuk did!
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