S131P1 – The questions of Habakkuk: God’s silence
Hab. 1:2
O Lord, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? Even cry out to You, “Violence!” and You will not save.
Initially, his focus was on his own hardships. Piece by piece, life had begun to fall apart, and he knew not why. He prayed for things to improve, but things only worsened. He prayed for God to at least explain what was happening, but no answer came. Then, his self-pity was interrupted by his noticing that evil seemed to prosper around him. In fact, some had perpetrated evil against him, and they were successful. He felt powerless in many ways, unable to reason through the “why” of his current circumstances and not receiving answers or relief from the Lord. Ultimately, his main concern became how long he would have to wait before God broke his silence and stillness.
Habakkuk’s question is not an uncommon one. The scriptures are replete with God’s servants wondering not only why sin succeeds in this world but why their cries for answers or relief seem to go unheard. Chances are that you have found yourself in the same position. Perhaps you are in this position right now. Unfortunately for us, audible conversations with God like the ones Habakkuk and others were able to have are not the norm for us today. Yet, we have to believe what we read in this book, which is that there indeed is an answer for all this. We might have to wait, but we will know in time. Our God does not leave us to suffer and question without answer or relief. If we pursue him, we will get there.
When I read this question of Habakkuk’s and the questions that follow, I see him really asking two more general questions. First, he wants to now why God is behaving differently than he expects. Second, he wants to know why God is behaving differently than he would. These are the same questions that form the basis of our own inquiries. I would have given me an answer by now, but God is silent. I would have saved me by now, but He has not moved. Our understanding during these times can be greatly improved if we seek to understand not the circumstance but the One in control of it. Father, keep us patient and focused on learning more of You when we find ourselves in times of silent waiting.