November 14, 2017. Studies in Habakkuk
The burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw. 2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, And You will not hear? Even cry out to You, “Violence!” And You will not save. 3 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. 4 Therefore the law is powerless, And justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore perverse judgment proceeds. (Hab 1:1-4 NKJ)
Habakkuk the prophet was a person just like us, frustrated with the state of the world, the violence, and terror. The wicked seem to prosper, injustice is everywhere, and it seems as though righteousness is laughed at. Keep the faith—God hears, sees and will act.
God’s response, in this case, wasn’t what Habakkuk was expecting; God was about to fight fire with fire by sending an invading army that would pillage, burn and take captive the people. So as we wait for the Lord, let us make sure we’re doing all we can, as salt and light, to make a difference in our world, speaking truth to power.
