By Chris Corlett for
Koinonia House
"The burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw. The Prophet’s Question: O Lord, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? Even cry out to You, “Violence!” And You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; there is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore perverse judgment proceeds."
Habakkuk 1:1-4
Like Job, Habakkuk questions God in very pointed and pressing language. The “how long” question is surely asked of God by His people throughout the centuries. Those enslaved by Egypt must have wondered when their God would deliver them – we know it took four hundred years. (see Genesis 15:13 and Acts 7:6)
And today God’s people early await the fulfillment of over two thousand end-time prophecies. The Bible even talks about the delay in Jesus’ return describing it as a sort of normalcy bias among its skeptics.
"Scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”
2 Peter 3:3b-4
The Lord’s reply amounts to, “You have not seen anything yet!” “Your circumstances will get far worse before they get better.” “I will use the wicked, violent, unrighteous, ungodly enemy to do My work.” Hardly words of comfort, but what follows is an amazing conversation back and forth between God and Habakkuk. It is well worth your time, Gracious Reader, and in Habakkuk’s words, you might hear your own thoughts as you survey the current landscape. For brevity and focus, the following verses close the book and serve as “Habakkuk’s Hallelujah.” The futility of arguing with God is replaced by the majesty of worshipping Him. Habakkuk no longer insists on answers to his questions or influence over God’s plan. Instead, he bursts into a beautiful doxology that is familiar to many.
"Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills."
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Despite his present circumstances, Habakkuk will rejoice. Despite his future calamity, Habakkuk will be joyful. Despite the apparent victory of his enemy, Habakkuk knows the Lord is strong and mighty. Deer walk over a slippery stream with sure-footed confidence. The internet provides many videos of deer walking along near vertical cliffs. God gives us the surefootedness we need in difficult times.
"He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places"
Psalm 18:33
Complete Article:
www.khouse.org
Koinonia House
"The burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw. The Prophet’s Question: O Lord, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? Even cry out to You, “Violence!” And You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; there is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore perverse judgment proceeds."
Habakkuk 1:1-4
Like Job, Habakkuk questions God in very pointed and pressing language. The “how long” question is surely asked of God by His people throughout the centuries. Those enslaved by Egypt must have wondered when their God would deliver them – we know it took four hundred years. (see Genesis 15:13 and Acts 7:6)
And today God’s people early await the fulfillment of over two thousand end-time prophecies. The Bible even talks about the delay in Jesus’ return describing it as a sort of normalcy bias among its skeptics.
"Scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”
2 Peter 3:3b-4
The Lord’s reply amounts to, “You have not seen anything yet!” “Your circumstances will get far worse before they get better.” “I will use the wicked, violent, unrighteous, ungodly enemy to do My work.” Hardly words of comfort, but what follows is an amazing conversation back and forth between God and Habakkuk. It is well worth your time, Gracious Reader, and in Habakkuk’s words, you might hear your own thoughts as you survey the current landscape. For brevity and focus, the following verses close the book and serve as “Habakkuk’s Hallelujah.” The futility of arguing with God is replaced by the majesty of worshipping Him. Habakkuk no longer insists on answers to his questions or influence over God’s plan. Instead, he bursts into a beautiful doxology that is familiar to many.
"Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills."
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Despite his present circumstances, Habakkuk will rejoice. Despite his future calamity, Habakkuk will be joyful. Despite the apparent victory of his enemy, Habakkuk knows the Lord is strong and mighty. Deer walk over a slippery stream with sure-footed confidence. The internet provides many videos of deer walking along near vertical cliffs. God gives us the surefootedness we need in difficult times.
"He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places"
Psalm 18:33
Complete Article:
“O LORD How Long?” | Koinonia House
The burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw. The Prophet’s Question: O Lord, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? Even cry out to You, “Violence!” And You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity and cause me to see trouble?
