When Everything Goes Wrong

One of the most moving expressions of faith that soars with confidence when disaster strikes and the worse is still to come is found in the Old Testament book of Habakkuk.

I heard, and my inner parts trembled;

At the sound, my lips quivered.

Decay enters my bones,

And in my place I tremble;

Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress,

For the people to arise who will attack us.

Even if the fig tree does not blossom,

And there is no fruit on the vines,

If the yield of the olive fails,

And the fields produce no food,

Even if the flock disappears from the fold,

And there are no cattle in the stalls,

Yet I will triumph in the LORD,

I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

The Lord GOD is my strength,

And He has made my feet like deer’s feet,

And has me walk on my high places.

(Habakkuk 3:16-19 NAS)

Habakkuk’s body shakes with fear over what’s next and the pending assault makes him physically sick. He is resigned to the attack of an enemy because it’s God-ordained punishment for a sinful nation.

            Habakkuk is a short book, only three chapters. Let’s go back to chapter one and see what is going on. Habakkuk, a prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah, is believed to have prophesied during the years between 609 and 598 BC. The prophet saw the corrupt dealings between the citizens of Judah, and he is angry that God is so slow in correcting his people. Habakkuk is frustrated to see the dissention that dominates his society. He wants God to act against the gross sin dominating his beloved nation.

The following paragraphs are my fictionalized account of the conversation between Habakkuk and God based on Habakkuk chapters 1 and 2.

Habakkuk cried out, “O Lord, how long do I have to plead to you about the violence and wrongdoing that fills Judah before you listen and act. Those charged with upholding the law are themselves lawless. They pervert justice. Why do you allow wickedness and violence to go unpunished?”

The Lord answered, “I’ve heard your prayer, and I’m going to do something you would never have imagined. Soon the Babylonians,  a fierce and savage people, will swoop down like eagles and devour Judah. No kingdoms have withstood the crushing onslaught of the Babylonian military.”

“How can this be?” Habakkuk’s voice rose in alarm. “Aren’t you the Holy one? How can you use a nation more wicked than Judah to judge and punish your people?” Habakkuk is miserable about God’s plan, and he waits to hear more from God. He knows God might scold him for his bad attitude.

The Lord remained resolute. “At the appointed time, Judah will be repaid for its sins, and it will happen just as I have told you. Babylon will be my instrument of justice.” The Lord noticed Habakkuk’s ambivalent eyes. “Write it down, man of God, so all may know! And remember this, the righteous will live by faith.”

That concludes my fictionalized conversation.

In the rest of chapter two God shows he knows Babylonians are proud, greedy, and brutal idol worshippers who love to get drunk. Babylon will eventually also pay for its sins. In chapter three Habakkuk prays and recounts the awesome things God has done in the past as if to remind himself of God’s greatness and goodness. Habakkuk concludes where this article began with the declaration to trust God no matter how terrible things get.

How about you? Do you wonder why God allows all the evil we see. Do you remain confident in God and his wisdom or is your faith shaken? Do you bring your complaints to God in prayer?

Let me know in the comments.

Photo by Casey Allen on Unsplash