I was reading a Bible study book on Job, and it gave me a few passages to read about whether or not it is okay to question God, and one of them was Habakkuk 1:1-11. So I read that, but then I decided to keep reading the rest of Habakkuk since I’m working on reading the whole Bible all the way through again for the second time, and that way I could check it off. So I finished reading it, but didn’t really understand too much about what I read, then I got on Facebook real quick and the first thing I see is a post from a sister in Christ with photos of her and her sisters, and the caption was Habakkuk 2:14: “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”
I commented, telling her briefly what happened, and I just thought that was so neat. She thought it was cool too. Like out of all the books in the Bible, it just happened to be a verse from the book I literally just finished reading. That must have been from God. So I decided maybe I should read it again, because maybe God is trying to tell me something. I googled a study on Habakkuk and read through the book again. I found that this book begins with Habakkuk questioning God for why he was allowing evil to exist among the people, and why he wasn’t doing anything about it, then God answers him and tells him he is going to send the Chaldeans to judge them.
“O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!” (Habakkuk 1:2)
“Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, whichye will not believe, though it be told you. For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs.” (Habakkuk 1:5-6)
Though Habakkuk was surprised, he knew that God is eternal and holy, and he knows that God won’t completely destroy his people. He also acknowledges that God is the Rock; the firm foundation of his faith. But what Habakkuk still doesn’t understand is why God would use a nation that is even more wicked to destroy a less wicked nation.
“Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?” (Habakkuk 1:12-13)
He then questions how long God will allow the new nation to last. He ends his conversation by telling God that he is going to the tower to watch and patiently wait for God’s answer. God does eventually give Habakkuk an answer. He describes the specific sins of the Chaldeans and what their punishments for each sin will be.
“I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.” (Habakkuk 2:1)
In the last chapter of Habakkuk, he seems to have a more simple prayer of wanting God’s will to be done and for his works to be made know. He also praises God for his mighty power.
“Lord, I have heard the report about You and I fear.
O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years,
In the midst of the years make it known;
In wrath remember mercy.” (Habakkuk 3:2)
Though he is choosing to trust God, he trembles at the thought of the coming judgement, yet he exclaims that no matter what happens, even if it’s the worst of the worst, he chooses to rejoice in the Lord, the God of his salvation. Though he is physically weak, the Lord God is his strength, and he makes his feet like hinds feet. God gives Habakkuk strength, and he knows that God is all he needs.
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.” (Habakkuk 3:17:19)
Both Job and Habakkuk (two of my favorite books now) have powerful lessons that teach us to trust in God no matter what and can serve as examples for us. God is mightier than all, and his will is higher than ours.
What I got from reading the book of Habakkuk:
Habakkuk is now one of my favorite books, and I think it was meant to be that I read it more in depth. I now appreciate this book a whole lot more than before, because now I understand what it’s talking about. Sometimes when we read a passage in the Bible, we may not really understand what we’re reading, or it may not seem as significant as it would if we really meditated on what the author is trying to show us and apply it to our daily lives. I think the reason why I appreciate this book is because in a way, I can relate to this story, because I have struggled with certain things and questioned God for them, and sometimes I wonder why he allows certain things to happen. I don’t always understand why things happen the way they do, and I struggle to be patient, trusting God’s timing above all else. I must learn to trust Jesus and trust that his timing is perfect. God uses difficult circumstances to teach us lessons and for us to grow. It is oftentimes through the hardest trials that we make the most growth. I also appreciate this book because it is another way God is showing me what joy is and how to have joy even in tough situations. I love how different times God will be teaching me something different and it seems like many things I read have to do with that topic. One example was patience and waiting on the Lord, and another was love and what true love is. Currently, God has been teaching me how to be content and joyful; knowing that true fulfillment is only found in him. Scripture tells us that Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before him. He didn’t just see the present, but he looked to the future and what would become of us after he died on that cross. It brought him joy! He had joy even though he knew he was going to be killed. Joy is not based on circumstances. We can choose to have joy through even the hardest situations, knowing what lies ahead of us in Heaven. Jesus is our home and nothing is worth throwing that away. No trials we go through here on earth compare to eternity with Jesus.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
What I believe God is trying to show us through Habakkuk’s story is that though we may not always understand why God does or does not do something, we must remember that he is good and his will is far better than our own. His will is what’s best for everybody. He sees the whole picture, from beginning to end, and all people in the future, not just in our present time. He is a just God, but our idea of justice may not be the same as his. It’s okay to question God in sincere wonder and confusion. I’m sure all of us have had questions or confusion about God’s plan, and from reading this book I believe it’s okay to wonder and question God, having faith that he has the answers, but it’s a different thing to question him in disbelief or skepticism, lacking faith that he is able to do all and is in control of all things. God sees our heart and our intentions. He knows if we are genuinely seeking answers or if we are questioning his abilities. An example of this difference in the Bible is when Zachariah (New Testament) and Sarah (Old Testament) questioned how God would allow them to have a child in their old age, but they were questioning God’s abilities and lacked faith. Sarah also lies and says she didn’t laugh. On the other hand, when Mary questioned how she would have a child while still a virgin, but she didn’t lack the faith; she was just genuinely seeking the answer because it didn’t make sense to her.
May we grow in faith and understanding, learning to trust that our God is The Great I AM, possessing all answers. May we be filled with a joy that only comes from God, that guides us through life, causing us to rejoice in all circumstances!
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Here is the link to the study that I read on Habakkuk. Habakkuk Bible Study – Casting My Net
I really like how in lesson 6 she encourages readers to be careful of what songs we listen to, because words put to music tend to be easy to memorize. We should be cautious that we listen to edifying words, rather than worldly or unimportant ones. Habakkuk‘s prayer is an example of good words to sing. It was probably an encouraging word to the people, meant to teach and edify and remind them of the power of God.
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Just how Satan works through people to accomplish his plan for evil, God works through HIS people to accomplish HIS plan for GOOD. If that sister on Facebook didn’t post that verse from Habakkuk, I likely wouldn’t have done this study or reread the book, but God must have put it in her heart to do so, therefore putting it in my heart to do this study.
For His glory,
𝘒𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪
Notes of Charity 