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?"
• In these moments of frustration, we must remember to turn to God and seek His guidance.
• The message of Habakkuk is still relevant for us today because one of the top twelve questions people ask today.
• 95% of the questions concerning God are some form of the top twelve questions.
• The question people who struggle with the belief or existence of God is, IF GOD IS A LOVING GOD, THEN WHY… is there suffering.
• In his lamentation, Habakkuk lays out his argument and complaint before the Lord.
• He questions why God allows him to witness such rampant injustice and why evil seems to prevail.
• The people of Israel had turned away from God, indulging in wickedness and straying from His ways.
• As a faithful prophet proclaiming God's truth, Habakkuk felt disheartened by the seeming lack of positive impact his message had on the people.
• He observed that instead of being held accountable, those who practiced evil acts and injustice often went unpunished and sometimes even received rewards.
• Habakkuk's frustration stemmed from the contrast between his understanding of God's righteousness and the reality he witnessed.
• This is the same issue we struggle with today.
• He longed for justice to prevail and righteousness to be upheld, but the prevailing circumstances contradicted his beliefs.
• In this state of confusion, Habakkuk sought answers from God, desiring to understand why He permitted such a state of affairs.
• Habakkuk's experience resonates with us today as we grapple with evil and injustice in our world.
• We may question why God allows these things to persist and why our efforts to promote righteousness often seem futile.
• In these moments, we can find solace in turning to God, just as Habakkuk did, and seeking His wisdom and guidance, trusting He is aware of our concerns and has a greater plan at work.
• Habakkuk's frustration reaches a point where he is willing to challenge God, expressing his deep yearning for God to demonstrate that his expectations of justice and righteousness are well-grounded.
• In his dialogue with the Lord, he boldly raises his concerns and questions, seeking reassurance and understanding.
• Habakkuk's willingness to question God is a testament to his passionate pursuit of truth and his deep desire to see God's righteousness prevail.
• He longs for God to vindicate His name and intervene in the face of evil and injustice.
• Habakkuk's challenge to God is not driven by rebellion or doubt but rather by an emotional plea for God to reveal His purposes and bring about justice in a world that seems to be spiraling into chaos.
• This aspect of Habakkuk's story is a powerful reminder that it is acceptable to approach God with our honest doubts and frustrations.
• God desires a genuine relationship with His people and invites us to bring our deepest concerns and questions before Him.
• Amid our own challenges and uncertainties, we can find inspiration in Habakkuk's example, knowing that God welcomes our heartfelt inquiries and is willing to reveal His truth to us.
• Let's turn to verses 5-11
Habakkuk 1:5–11 (NET 2nd ed.)
5 “Look at the nations and pay attention! You will be shocked and amazed! For I will do something in your lifetime that you will not believe even though you are forewarned.
6 Look, I am about to empower the Babylonians, that ruthless and greedy nation. They sweep across the surface of the earth, seizing dwelling places that do not belong to them.
7 They are frightening and terrifying; they decide for themselves what is right.
8 Their horses are faster than leopards and more alert than wolves in the desert. Their horses gallop, their horses come a great distance; like a vulture they swoop down quickly to devour their prey.
9 All of them intend to do violence; every face is determined. They take prisoners as easily as one scoops up sand.
10 They mock kings and laugh at rulers. They laugh at every fortified city; they build siege ramps and capture them.
11 They sweep by like the wind and pass on. But the one who considers himself a god will be held guilty.”
II. The solution.
• In response to Habakkuk's complaint, God provides an answer that reflects His severity and justice.
• He assures Habakkuk that the evil and injustice displayed by the Israelites have not gone unnoticed. God reveals that He is aware of their actions and is preparing to take corrective measures to discipline them.
• The commentary by Matthew Henry aptly captures the essence of God's response.
• Despite God's patient and long-suffering nature, the Israelites have persisted in their unrepentant ways.
• Therefore, God determines that a different approach is necessary.
• The consequences of their actions will not be evaded, and the discipline they face will result from their choices.
• God's response in this passage reminds us of the importance of accountability and justice.
• His actions demonstrate that He does pay attention to evil and injustice.
• While His timing and methods may not align with our expectations, we can trust that God's justice is ultimately rooted in His perfect wisdom.
• As we reflect on this aspect of Habakkuk'sGod's dialogue with God, we are reminded that God's discipline is motivated by love and a desire for repentance.
• Sometimes, it is through experiencing the consequences of our actions that we are prompted to turn back to God and seek His forgiveness and guidance.
• In our own lives, when we witness injustice or experience the consequences of wrongdoing, we can find solace in knowing that God's justice will prevail.
• We can also take this as an opportunity for self-reflection, repentance, and realignment with God's will.
• Let's look at verses 12-17 for Habakkuk's response to God's solution.
Habakkuk 1:12–17 (NET 2nd ed.)
12 LORD, you have been active from ancient times; my sovereign God, you are immortal. LORD, you have made them your instrument of judgment. Protector, you have appointed them as your instrument of punishment.
13 You are too just to tolerate evil; you are unable to condone wrongdoing. So why do you put up with such treacherous people? Why do you say nothing when the wicked devour those more righteous than they are?
14 You made people like fish in the sea, like animals in the sea that have no ruler.
15 The Babylonian tyrant pulls them all up with a fishhook; he hauls them in with his throw net. When he catches them in his dragnet, he is very happy.
16 Because of his success he offers sacrifices to his throw net and burns incense to his dragnet; for because of them he has plenty of food, and more than enough to eat.
17 Will he then continue to fill and empty his throw net? Will he always destroy nations and spare none?
III. The dilemma.
• Be careful about what you ask for!
• In response to Habakkuk's cry, the Lord reveals His plan to bring justice and righteousness to the land.
• God assures Habakkuk that He sees the wickedness and will take action.
• However, the solution God presents is not what Habakkuk expects.
• The Lord declares that He will raise up the Babylonians, a ruthless nation, to execute judgment.
• This revelation challenges Habakkuk's understanding of justice and raises a new set of questions.
• Similarly, when we seek answers from God, we may not always receive the anticipated response.
• Yet, in those moments, we are called to trust in His sovereignty and believe His plan is greater than our own.
• Habakkuk grapples with the Lord's plan, wrestling with the dilemma of how a just God could use a wicked nation as an instrument of punishment.
• He questions God's ways, seeking understanding and resolution.
• We, too, may encounter situations that shake our faith and leave us with a profound sense of confusion.
• We may wonder why God permits certain events or allows evil to persist.
• In these moments, we can find solace in knowing God is not indifferent to our concerns.
• He invites us to bring our doubts, fears, and questions before Him.
• Habakkuk's example teaches us that even in our dilemma, we can maintain an honest and open relationship with God.
CONCLUSION
• As we conclude Chapter 1, it is crucial to recognize that Habakkuk remains engaged in a continuous dialogue with God.
• Despite his frustration and questions, he does not turn away from God in anger or despair.
• This serves as an important lesson for us as well.
• In times of doubt or disagreement, it is easy to question whether God truly cares or understands our dilemmas.
• Yet, we must resist the temptation to distance ourselves from Him.
• Habakkuk's example teaches us that we can bring our questions and doubts to God, for Our honest inquiries do not threaten him.
• He invites us to wrestle with Him, to engage in a genuine and open dialogue.
• However, in the midst of questioning, we must remain humble and remember that God is the ultimate Potter, and we are the clay.
• We can seek understanding and express our desires, but ultimately, we must surrender to His sovereign will.
• In this wrestling with God, we must maintain an open heart for His inspection.
• We should not only bring our questions but also invite God to search our hearts and reveal any areas where our will may conflict with His.
• The psalmist's prayer in Psalm 139:23-24 serves as a beautiful reminder: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
• Our faith journey may encounter dilemmas and uncertainties that challenge our trust in God.
• However, by following Habakkuk's example, we can bring our questions to God while remaining open to His inspection and guidance.
• May we always strive to align our will with His, trusting that His plans are more significant than our own and that He will lead us on the path of everlasting life.
• Furthermore, as we reflect on Habakkuk's journey, we see that frustration can lead to transformation.
• In our frustration, we turn to God, seeking answers and understanding.
• We may not always comprehend His ways, but we trust His plan is unfolding.
• Through the prophet's story, we find hope and encouragement to persevere in our own journeys of faith.
• Remember that God is present amid our frustrations, offering wisdom, guidance, and comfort.
• May we be inspired by Habakkuk's example and continue to seek God's presence, even when faced with life's dilemmas.
