How Long, O Lord?
One Year Bible: Dec. 18
Habakkuk 1:1-3:19
How long
“How long, O LORD?”
Habakkuk was a prophet who lived during the reign of the godly king Josiah. (640-609 B.C.)
He knew what it was like to live during a time of revival and then to see God’s people slip right back into apathy, adultery, and idolatry.
His burden came from the fact that he had seen the great revival, and now he lived during the great decline…
Perhaps, you carry that same burden as you watch our society decline in moral and spiritual values…
Habakkuk’s name means “EMBRACE.” He was a person who “EMBRACED” God. He came to a firm faith as he wrestled with difficult questions.
Here is one of his questions, “Why do You show me iniquity and cause me to see trouble?” He then asks, “O LORD, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear?” (2-4)
Habakkuk says, “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.” (2-4)
What is God’s reply to Habbkuk’s difficult questions?
His message, in paraphrase, is, “Be utterly astounded. I will work a work in your days which you would not believe. Lastly, I am raising up people even now.”
While Habbakuk is trying to take all that information in, he also wonders why God would use a nation more wicked than Judah to bring judgment to Judah.
Then Habbukuk gave his response to all of this information that confused him. He basically says that he will watch to see what God will say to him and that he will answer when “he is corrected.”
Habakkuk reveals to us amazing truths about God and his justice, and he also teaches us how to humbly respond.
In essence, Habakkuk models a prayer we need to offer in times of trouble, “Lord, I don’t always understand what You are doing or your timing. But, I know that You are right in all you do. You can offer grace to sinners who do not know you and humble those that claim to be your people but do not wholeheartedly follow you. As for me, please speak to me and correct me.”
His name is Habbakuk, meaning “to cling to.” May we be reminded to EMBRACE God and trust His Ways, His Will, and His Workings.
How Long, O Lord? Let’s pray!
