SCRIPTURE:
17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
OBSERVATION:
Why does God stay silent in times of evil? How can God use the wicked to bring about good? And how should we respond in the midst of it all?
The prophetic book of Habakkuk is one of those books we tend to skim and skip over. It is only 3 chapters long and hidden in the avenue of the minor prophets––a place we tend not to stick around and stay in because they seem so short and obscure. However, hidden in these three short chapters are three profound answers to questions we ask ourselves frequently today. Habakkuk is structured around two questions from Habakkuk, two answers from God, and one response from Habakkuk that sums it all up.
The prophet’s first question to God is, “God, why do you stay silent when there is so much evil in the world? And why do you allow me to see all this evil if you’re not going to do anything about it?” He asks this because he looks at Israel and sees great evil, violence, and unfairness in his people. God’s response is that He is doing something that Habakkuk cannot fathom. “The Lord replied, “Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it” (Habakkuk 1:5 NLT). Then He gives an even more perplexing response: He is going to use the Babylonians––a people even more evil than Israel––to correct them.
This leads the prophet to ask his second question in confusion and anger: “How can God use the Babylonians, an even more evil and wretched people, to correct God’s people?” God replies “Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God” (Habakkuk 2:4 NLT). God reminds Habakkuk that yes, for a moment, it will look like the unrighteous have the upper hand. But do they in the long run? No, they do not. God reminds Habakkuk that pride and evil will destroy the Babylonians in the end. And until then, the righteous are to live in faith and obedience to God, waiting patiently on God for His ways and His timing.
After hearing these answers from God, Habakkuk responds as we all should: by trusting in God. He ends with worship, praying “I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy…17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights” (Habakkuk 3:2, 3:17-19 NLT). He declares an “even though” trust––that even though every odd may be stacked against him, even though people may not understand, and even though logic may defy God’s possibility, He will trust in God no matter what.
APPLICATION:
Though written 2,600 years ago today, God’s answers remain the same for your life. Cherish God’s answers to the prophet as answers to the questions of your own life.
Do you see evil, and sadness, and destruction around you? Do the atrocities of the world cause you to question God’s presence? Perhaps something has even happened personally to you that is causing you to doubt God’s goodness in your life. If so, know that God is doing something beyond what you can see. God sees all, knows all, and promises to work everything out for your good. You may not be able to fathom it, but just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean that God can’t see it. Your Father is doing something beyond what you can fathom because He loves you. And He’s only allowing it to happen this way because He desires to blow you away with the ending He has planned. If you could only see what God has in store for you, you wouldn’t want to change a thing. So let God be God––for He loves you so much more than you could even fathom. His love and His goodness is a guarantee. So live in the guarantee of His goodness.
And even when God uses the wicked to bring about goodness, even when it seems like His favor is falling on them and not upon you, remember that God is faithful to His Word. “Though the wicked sprout like weeds and evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever” (Psalm 92:7 NLT). God is not blessing evil; He is using even evil to achieve His purposes for good. So don’t lose hope. Don’t declare it’s end of your story when you’re in the middle of it. Let God be God and let Him do His thing. But be careful––do not take offense with the wicked either. Do not wish destruction upon them, and do not get angry if they repent and turn around––for if you do, you’ll become one of them
Most of all, in all things, let trust be your response. Recognize that despite the presence of countless “even though” circumstances, God will always prevail. Don’t let your circumstances cause you to doubt God; let God cause you to doubt God. Return to the wonder and awe of the glory of God. Don’t overthink it. Return to the simplicity of His goodness and His love for you. For when you do, you’ll realize that the answer to every question you have in life, too, is simple. And what is it? Simply Jesus. As the song goes, “Jesus is the answer for the world today. Above Him, there’s no other. Jesus is the way.” Let Jesus––His goodness, His love, and His grace for you––be the answer to your every question. For when you do, you’ll realize that the questions of your life are not as big as they may seem.
PRAYER:
Jesus,
You are the Answer, not just for the world, but for my life. I thank You for Your goodness. I praise You for Your mercy. I honor You for who You are. I repent for the times I’ve complicated my life and for the times I’ve seen my questions and circumstances to be greater than You. You are greater than all. So in every “even though,” I choose to trust You, for You have done nothing but proven Your trust to me. I love You, Lord. Thank You for loving me.
In Your name I pray,
Amen
