A Solid Word In Shaky Times

The days we live in are truly challenging times. The year 2021 started out with more worrisome news: new mutations of COVID-19, talk of an economic meltdown, and disturbing scenes from the Capitol building of the United States. It seems that indeed everything that can be shaken is being shaken.

The global pandemic has impacted not only our economies, but also the way we worship and fellowship as believers. The recent US elections seem to have put America on a new path that already appears to be threatening the Judeo-Christian values upon which America and the Western world were founded. Many ask: ‘Where is God in all this?’ This is particularly so as many prayed for a different outcome in the US elections, and even more have interceded for an end to the corona pandemic.

For me, the book of Habakkuk holds more relevance today than ever before. The prophet Habakkuk lived in a time when he did not understand the world anymore – and more importantly he did not understand God anymore. As you read this, I encourage you to prayerfully read the entire book of Habakkuk and have your Bible ready as you read along. Allow me to take you through the three chapters of a prophetic book that I believe many of us can identify with today.

The book of Habakkuk differs other prophetic books in the Hebrew Bible. The prophet did not receive a message directed to Israel, but it is more the very personal dialogue of a troubled man of God with His Creator.

Habakkuk’s Crisis

From the very beginning (Habakkuk 1:2-4), Habakkuk voices his complaint to God: ”How long must I call for help but You do not listen!” The prophet comes straight to the point: Lord, my prayers are not answered! In addition, he feels God is just looking on as injustice spreads, and strife and conflicts abounds. He sees the people of God and the law being paralyzed (v. 4) and losing their impact in the land. Instead of righteousness, he sees injustice and violence taking over.

God’s First Response

God’s response (vs.1:5-11) was definitely not what the man of God expected: God instructed him to observe what is going to happen, not only in Israel but among the nations. “I will raise the Babylonians … that ruthless and impetuous people” (1:6). They will come to destroy and The days we live in are truly challenging times. The year 2021 started out with more worrisome news: new mutations of COVID-19, talk of an economic meltdown, and disturbing scenes from the Capitol building of the United States. It seems that indeed everything that can be shaken is being shaken.

The global pandemic has impacted not only our economies, but also the way we worship and fellowship as believers. The recent US elections seem to have put America on a new path that already appears to be threatening the Judeo-Christian values upon which America and the Western world were founded. Many ask: ‘Where is God in all this?’ This is particularly so as many prayed for a different outcome in the US elections, and even more have interceded for an end to the corona pandemic.

For me, the book of Habakkuk holds more relevance today than ever before. The prophet Habakkuk lived in a time when he did not understand the world anymore – and more importantly he did not understand God anymore. As you read this, I encourage you to prayerfully read the entire book of Habakkuk and have your Bible ready as you read along. Allow me to take you through the three chapters of a prophetic book that I believe many of us can identify with today.

The book of Habakkuk differs other prophetic books in the Hebrew Bible. The prophet did not receive a message directed to Israel, but it is more the very personal dialogue of a troubled man of God with His Creator. In fact, God told Habakkuk: “I am doing something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told (Habakkuk 1:5).”

The Man of God

Let us take a step back and see who Habakkuk was. He was not your average Sunday church-goer who once a week bothered go to the church to fulfill his religious duties. He was not a complainer upset that his prayers did not get instantly answered. We are dealing here with one of the great men of God from ancient times. Habakkuk was one of the few persons whose writings ended up in the Bible. His declaration that “the righteous shall live by faith” (2:4) is one of the most quoted Old Testament verses in the New Testament. He was a man of prayer and heard the voice of God like few did in his generation (He was a compatriot of Jeremiah).