Today I spent some time studying in habakkuk. I pulled out the commentary, grabbed my journal, pen and Bible, and prayed for illumination. God revealed to me a sweet example of relationship with Him.
Habakkuk is not like your typical OT prophet. He does not plead with God to with hold his anger from the people of Israel. Instead, He questions God's willingness to delay punishment on the wicked. He shows us that questioning God is acceptable, so long as you do not refuse to trust God and you question in a respectful manner.
Habakkuk begins by questioning God's delay of punishment. God then answers him, promising punishment will soon come. However, Habakkuk still has questions. God's plan was to punish the sinners, through the even more wicked Chaldeans. Habakkuk wonders at this, considering God "cannot look at wrong." Habakkuk questions God with respect and reverence. Then, he decides to wait patiently for God to answer him.
God indeed answers. His answer is one of warning, a warning to the wicked. God warns against a variety of sins and again confirms His plan to unleash His fury and pour out punishment on the wicked. Habakkuk responds with awe and praise towards God. Habakkuk turns from questioning to trust, remembering and stating that God is indeed all-powerful and sovereign. He knows God's way is prefect and believes that His way will prove just.
In these short 3 chapters, Habakkuk demonstrates a few things. He questions respectfully, waits patiently, trusts in God's timing/plan, stands in awe of God's might and power, and then hopes in eternal salvation not temporary circumstances/blessings. This short display reveals that Habakkuk has a sweet and deep relationship with God. He is bold and asks questions of God and after being answered, proclaims God's greatness and rejoices in God's goodness.
My prayer is that God would teach me how and help me become like this. I want to desire to understand God's ways and be satisfied with the answers He reveals to me. And not just satisfied, satisfied with rejoicing and awe. God is indeed a mighty Savior who is willing to be patient with us and at times reveal His plans to us. He wants to give us knowledge, if we ask, and reveal His awesome power to us so that we might glorify Him. What a mighty Savior I serve!
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