Read Habakkuk 1

“Why, God?”

Murder. Abortion. Gun violence. Child abuse. Have you ever looked at the evil all around you and wondered why God allows such to take place? Why does He not take action to save those who are persecuted and prevent the wicked from prospering? The prophet Habakkuk asked these questions during his lifetime.

Habakkuk was not blinded to the sin of his own people. He recognized that there was in Judah “iniquity,” “trouble,” “plundering,” “violence,” “strife,” and “contention” (Habakkuk 1:3). He was not the first of the prophets to decry the iniquity of the people of God. Read Hosea 4:2 and Micah 6:12-13 for other examples of such. Habakkuk questions the Lord about all the sin that is going unchecked, and then God answers.

“Look among the nations and watch—be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you. For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans, a bitter and hasty nation which marches through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling places that are not theirs” (Habakkuk 1:5-6). God will use Babylon, a nation more wicked than Judah, to punish His people.

This creates a similar question in the prophet’s mind: “Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, and hold Your tongue when the wicked devours a person more righteous than he?” (Habakkuk 1:13).

It was not that Babylon was more righteous—they weren’t. Rather, it was that Judah had fallen so far from God’s Word that they needed to be set right. A remnant needed to be preserved for God’s eternal purpose to be fulfilled in the church.

When we struggle in life, even at the hand of an enemy, let us take a step back and reexamine ourselves and our spiritual situation. Be sure that we are doing all we can to live faithfully and set a proper example for others. Further, let us be certain to respond to such struggles in a Christ-like manner, looking for opportunities to use those difficulties to spread the gospel and shine the light of Christ in our lives.