Big Questions- Big God Series

Big Questions- Big God

Jeffery Anselmi / General

Silence- The Book of Habakkuk / Evil; Silence / Habakkuk 1:1–17

God is big enough for our questions and our objections; he invites us to bring them to him in dialogue and to trust him with them.

INTRODUCTION

• Today we embark on a four-week series that delves into the challenging topic of trusting God when He seems silent and distant.

• In our journey, we will draw inspiration from the book of Habakkuk, one of the Minor Prophets, who wrestled with questions and objections that still resonate with us today.

• Together, we will explore the depths of Habakkuk's struggles and seek answers to questions such as: Where is God in the face of injustice?

• Why do wickedness and suffering persist?

• How can we maintain our trust in God when our hearts and eyes perceive conflicting realities?

• Habakkuk was one of the prophets of the Old Testament, and his name means "Embrace" or "Wrestle."

• While not much is known about his background, the book of Habakkuk provides valuable insights into his life and ministry.

• Habakkuk prophesied during a tumultuous time in the history of Judah, likely around the late 7th century BC.

• During this period, the nation of Judah was facing moral and spiritual decline.

• Injustice, violence, idolatry, and social unrest were prevalent, causing Habakkuk to question God's apparent silence and the seeming absence of justice.

• He witnessed the wickedness of his society and longed for God to intervene.

• Habakkuk's message is distinctive among the prophetic books because it takes the form of a dialogue between the prophet and God.

• Habakkuk raises his concerns and questions to the Lord, articulating his frustrations and seeking understanding.

• Habakkuk learns profound truths about God's character, justice, and faithfulness through this conversation.

• The book of Habakkuk is divided into three chapters, each representing a different conversation or lamentation.

• The prophet's journey unfolds as he moves from frustration and doubt to a place of trust and surrender.

• Habakkuk's experience is a powerful reminder that it is possible to maintain faith and hope even amid uncertainty and turmoil.

• Though Habakkuk's ministry may have been brief, his message resonates with people today.

• His unwavering pursuit of truth and willingness to engage in a dialogue with God offers valuable lessons for believers, encouraging us to bring our doubts, fears, and questions to the Lord and find solace in His unfailing love and sovereignty.

• Big Idea of the Series: This four-week series will guide us in navigating the tensions between our faith and the world we observe.

• It will help us find solace, hope, and renewed trust in God's sovereignty, even when His ways appear perplexing.

• Drawing from Habakkuk's experiences, we will learn to embrace the mysteries of God's timing and purposes as we seek to align our hearts with His divine plan.

• Through this series, we may discover the strength to trust God amid silence and distance, knowing He is ever-present and working in ways we may not fully comprehend.

› The Big Idea of the Message: God is big enough for our questions and objections; he invites us to bring them to him in dialogue and trust him with them.

Habakkuk 1:1–4 (NET 2nd ed.)

1 This is the oracle that the prophet Habakkuk saw:

2 How long, LORD, must I cry for help? But you do not listen! I call out to you, “Violence!” But you do not deliver!

3 Why do you force me to witness injustice? Why do you put up with wrongdoing? Destruction and violence confront me; conflict is present and one must endure strife.

4 For this reason the law lacks power, and justice is never carried out. Indeed, the wicked intimidate the innocent. For this reason justice is perverted.

SERMON

I. The frustration.

• In Habakkuk 1:1, we are introduced to Habakkuk, a prophet of God.

• As the introduction states, his name means "he that embraces; a wrestler."

• In wrestling, one person tries to exert their will on someone or something else.

• This is precisely what Habakkuk is saying to God in 1:2–4.

• He says, "God, don't you see what is happening? If you do see what's going on, why aren't you doing anything about it?"

• For many of us, these are familiar questions!

• Habakkuk begins his lamentation by expressing his deep frustration to the Lord.

• He sees injustice, violence, and evil prevailing in his society and can no longer bear the burden.

• Like Habakkuk, we often find ourselves surrounded by the brokenness of our world.

• We witness suffering, inequality, and unanswered questions that shake our faith.

• We cry out, "How long, O Lord, must we endure?"