The prophet Habakkuk in the Old Testament questioned God about something that I hear many people say, "Why do so many bad things happen?". "Why do people get away with doing wrong and justice seems nowhere in sight?" (Habakkuk 1: 2-4) As many people today put it, "If God is good, why does He allow bad things to happen?" Habakkuk is specifically referring to his nation, Judah. Habakkuk sees the violence and evil that is everywhere in Judah. When will it stop he asks God? Why is God allowing these terrible things to continue?
God gives Habakkuk a surprising answer. God tells Habakkuk that he is raising up the Chaldeans (the Babylonians) to bring judgment on Judah. In Habakkuk's eyes this makes no sense. The Babylonians were worse than the people of Judah. Habakkuk knew that his people had strayed from God but in his mind the Babylonians were worse because they didn't even know who God was.
God Is In Control
God answers that Babylon is being used to judge Judah but, Babylon will, in turn, also be judged. In Habakkuk 2 God lists many 'woes' that will happen to the evil Babylonians. In contrast, God tells Habakkuk in chapter 2: 4(b) that the "just shall live by his faith". Habakkuk was written around 600 BC, but by 539 BC the Babylonians themselves no longer existed, having been defeated and swallowed up by the Persians. As Judah received their judgement, so did the Babylonians.
Habakkuk ends his book with these verses:
"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 flock may 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. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills." Habakkuk 3: 17-19
Habakkuk does not pretend to understand how all these things will happen. What Habakkuk does understand however is that God is in control. Habakkuk's faith in the just justice of God allows him to trust that, whatever happens, it is ultimately what should happen. God does not ask us if we understand and agree with how He rules the world. No, God asks us to trust in Him by faith and in His plan for our life. Justice happens in His perfect timing.
They Wait for God's Justice
In Revelation 6:9-10 after the opening of the 5th seal we see "the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held." They asked God how long would they have to wait to be avenged. These martyrs sought to remain faithful to God even unto death. The wrath of God would be poured out on the world who killed them for their faith. But they had to wait for justice.
Who Is It That Rebukes God?
In the book of Job, Job questions God as to why these great tragedies had happened to him. In Chapter 40 verse 2, God says to Job:
“Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? He who rebukes God, let him answer it.”
Indeed, who are we to question God? It might not be a very satisfying answer but this is where humility comes in in the life of a Christian. We simply can't understand everything.
Job realizes this. In chapter 42: 2-6, Job is overwhelmed by God's power and knowledge. In humility, Job says he has spoken of things he did not understand, things too wonderful for him that he did not know. For this Job repented.
Our Strength In Whom We Trust
In Psalm 18:2, David tells us that God is His deliverer, his rock and his fortress. David calls God his strength. He says he trusts God and that God is his stronghold. Like Job, like the martyrs, and like Habakkuk, when evil seems to be winning, God is in control. We look to our Rock, our strong foundation, who allows us to live and die with courage in spite of not knowing the answer to 'why'! He IS our strength in whom we can trust.
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