A silent heaven,” it has been said, “is the greatest mystery of our existence.”
Have you ever prayed and felt as if heaven were silent? Have you seen injustice and wondered, Where is God? Have you ever asked the question, Does it pay to live a righteous life? If so, you’re not alone.
When Habakkuk looked at his broken and unjust world, he was forced to ask God some questions: How long will it be before You respond to me? Why is evil winning? When will You stop the violence? (see 1:1-4). Habakkuk’s questions arise from a perplexed faith, not a weak one. Yet, God understood that his concerns stemmed from a limited perspective of God’s larger purpose. God answered: “I am doing something . . .” (v.5). God was going to discipline wicked Judah through an even more wicked, violent, and notorious nation: Babylon. God was opening Habakkuk’s eyes so he could see that God was always working. Even when He seemed distant, He was sustaining order in the universe and positioning people to be used for His glory.
God also wanted Habakkuk to know that He does not work in typical fashion. He chose to discipline His people through an unlikely and dubious source—the wicked Babylonians. And He wanted Habakkuk to know that He was going to do His work in ways that he never would have chosen. “I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it,” He said (v.5).
When you ponder perplexing questions, remember that God is still working—navigating circumstances, positioning people, and impacting events to fulfill His divine purposes in the world. May He direct our eyes to see where He’s working today!
More:
The Lord will . . . come to do a strange thing; He will come to do an unusual deed (Isaiah 28:21).
Next:
When have you been perplexed about why God allowed something to happen? What are some of your deepest concerns and frustrations that you need to honestly talk with Him about?
nikkiwud on May 29, 2009 at 9:32 am
Thanks for posting this. It reminded me of Peter pleading with Jesus not to go through the suffering of crucifixion and Jesus reply of “get behind me Satan.” God’s ways are not our own. He does things through channels that don’t make since to us, but, in hindsight we always see that His way is the only and best way. And in these trying and uncertain times, it’s good to be reminded that God is always working things out for our good according to His purpose!
gingerbreadsister55 on May 29, 2009 at 10:12 am
Thank you Marvin, my heart is heavy with many perplexng issues and questions, but I know God is working. I patiently and prayerfully wait for His answers. Bless you and thank you for your words of wisdom, biblical insight and guidance
peg on May 29, 2009 at 10:25 am
The seed has to die to grow. It is painful to grow. I feel that God is saying to me in this post, that I should trust Him and just wait. That it will be sweet when whatever it is comes. I pray I can do that. Be obediant. Just wait for it. Thanks.
regina franklin on May 30, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Marvin,
Thanks again for a timely word. Yesterday, I was “perplexed” as to some seemingly unresolved situations. As I was sitting in a puddle of thoughts, I picked up the ODJ and read the devotional for that day. God reminded me–He is still at work.
mikan14 on June 8, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I’m having these tough questions in my mind about the particular things happening to us recently. I’ve been asking God why all of these are happening. But I believe God will make a way. He’s doing incredible things that even us could never imagine! His thoughts and His ways are higher than ours..Thank You LORD! 🙂