Habakkuk (1:2-4) lamented the society in which he lived. Judah had been torn apart by injustice. Laws were being ignored, and justice was perverted. Habakkuk was further troubled over God’s silence (1:2) and thought his prayers were going unanswered.
God tells Habakkuk that the Chaldeans will chasten Judah (1:5-11). While Habakkuk does praise God, he wants to know why God, who is just and cannot bear the sight of evil, would use such a vicious instrument as the Chaldeans. They are more wicked than Judah!
God reassures Habakkuk. Even though it may appear that judgment is being delayed (2:3), God will judge the Chaldeans for their many sins (2:5-19). Habakkuk is reassured by what he hears, and he is reassured by recalling the evidence of God’s power from the past (3:1-2).
Conditions will get worse before they get better. However, Habakkuk knows he must trust God in time of fear (3:16) and in time of famine (3:17-19). Habakkuk will embrace (which is Habakkuk’s meaning) God regardless of the outcome of his nation. He will rejoice in the Lord and know God is his strength.
Some may consider the state of the world today and wonder when God is going to intervene. We often want justice immediately. When it does not come on our timeline, we must never interpret that God has turned His back on us or is unaware of the world’s injustices. God has not changed His nature or position, and He does not always work within our timeframe. Be assured that God is a God of justice. II Peter 3:1-9 reminds us that “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” He will provide judgment (Romans 12:19) in due time.
The just are called to live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:16-17). We must trust God and draw near to Him no matter what happens now or in the future.
For the elders, Terry Clark