Habakkuk actually had more than one complaint, this is the first one.
Hab 1:2; How long, O LORD, will I call for help, And You will not hear? I cry out to You, "Violence!" Yet You do not save.
Hab 1:3; Why do You make me see iniquity, And cause me to look on wickedness? Yes, destruction and violence are before me; Strife exists and contention arises.
Hab 1:4; Therefore the law is ignored And justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out perverted.
I can't help but think how relevant this is in the current time.
It seems there is strife, dissension, wars, violent protests, terrorism, mass-shooting and bombings in the news almost everyday. Even more that is not even reported in the news because "people are tired of hearing about it". This didn't just start happening this year, but it seems to be getting progressively worse.
I think of the lesbian/gay and transgender laws, abortion, and shake my head... and I have to admit, sometimes I'm a little like Habakkuk. "God can't you see what is going on?" "Don't you care?"
The Lord's Answer
Hab 1:5; "Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days—You would not believe if you were told.
Hab 1:6; "For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, That fierce and impetuous people Who march throughout the earth To seize dwelling places which are not theirs.
Hab 1:7; "They are dreaded and feared; Their justice and authority originate with themselves.
Hab 1:8; "Their horses are swifter than leopards And keener than wolves in the evening. Their horsemen come galloping, Their horsemen come from afar; They fly like an eagle swooping down to devour.
Hab 1:9; "All of them come for violence. Their horde of faces moves forward. They collect captives like sand.
Hab 1:10; "They mock at kings And rulers are a laughing matter to them. They laugh at every fortress And heap up rubble to capture it.
Hab 1:11; "Then they will sweep through like the wind and pass on. But they will be held guilty, They whose strength is their god."
Sometimes when we see evil and destruction, God is allowing this to happen for a greater purpose. I don't believe God is evil, but sometimes He uses evil people to accomplish His purpose. Sometimes we don't know what that purpose is... but even when we don't understand, God is in control.
... next, Habakkuk's Second Complaint.
Hab 1:2; How long, O LORD, will I call for help, And You will not hear? I cry out to You, "Violence!" Yet You do not save.
Hab 1:3; Why do You make me see iniquity, And cause me to look on wickedness? Yes, destruction and violence are before me; Strife exists and contention arises.
Hab 1:4; Therefore the law is ignored And justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out perverted.
I can't help but think how relevant this is in the current time.
It seems there is strife, dissension, wars, violent protests, terrorism, mass-shooting and bombings in the news almost everyday. Even more that is not even reported in the news because "people are tired of hearing about it". This didn't just start happening this year, but it seems to be getting progressively worse.
I think of the lesbian/gay and transgender laws, abortion, and shake my head... and I have to admit, sometimes I'm a little like Habakkuk. "God can't you see what is going on?" "Don't you care?"
The Lord's Answer
Hab 1:5; "Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days—You would not believe if you were told.
Hab 1:6; "For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, That fierce and impetuous people Who march throughout the earth To seize dwelling places which are not theirs.
Hab 1:7; "They are dreaded and feared; Their justice and authority originate with themselves.
Hab 1:8; "Their horses are swifter than leopards And keener than wolves in the evening. Their horsemen come galloping, Their horsemen come from afar; They fly like an eagle swooping down to devour.
Hab 1:9; "All of them come for violence. Their horde of faces moves forward. They collect captives like sand.
Hab 1:10; "They mock at kings And rulers are a laughing matter to them. They laugh at every fortress And heap up rubble to capture it.
Hab 1:11; "Then they will sweep through like the wind and pass on. But they will be held guilty, They whose strength is their god."
Sometimes when we see evil and destruction, God is allowing this to happen for a greater purpose. I don't believe God is evil, but sometimes He uses evil people to accomplish His purpose. Sometimes we don't know what that purpose is... but even when we don't understand, God is in control.
... next, Habakkuk's Second Complaint.