Beech Tree News Network

Why doesn’t God do something? That is essentially the question Habakkuk asked. That is like the questions we sometimes look around and ask. “If God is all powerful, then why does he allow evil and suffering?” “Does he notice all the troubles that take place in the world?”  The prophet was really asking “Does God care?” 

Why do we think God does not care? We pray but do not see God’s answer right away. Like the prophet, we cry, “How long, O LORD…” (1:2). We see “violence” (injustice and cruelty) all around, and we see the wicked triumphing over the righteous, and like Habakkuk, wonder why God does not act!  

But how do we know that God does care? God assures us that he hears every prayer! He told Habakkuk, “Look among the nations and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told” (1:5). We may not always recognize when and how God is working. We must remember, “My ways [are] higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:9). But be assured, “And this confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14).

God promises that he will deliver us in his time! “For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth, to seize dwellings not their own” (1:6). Listen to these promises: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all” (Ps. 34:19); “When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him” (Ps. 91:15); “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Pet. 5:10).

God affirms that he will judge ALL evil in the world! God assures Habakkuk that He will, indeed, punish the nation of Judah for their wickedness (1:5-11). He goes on to assure Habakkuk that the Chaldeans will also be punished for their wickedness (2:6-20). God is longsuffering! God gave Judah time to repent. He does the same for us today!

“The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9, CSB). The question is, what are we doing with the time He has mercifully given us? Have we responded to His kindnesses, “Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Because of your hardened and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed” (Rom. 2:4-5).

“How long, O LORD…” became a case study in “be careful what you ask for.” But we can learn from Habakkuk’s common concern. God is working. We may not see or understand in our time. He is working in His time. And in His kindness, He is giving us time to repent. Or do you despise the riches of His kindness?