Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Habakkuk

Habakkuk’s first inquiry of the Lord pertains to the situation in Judah by which he was surrounded. We quote: “O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.”—Heb. 1:2-4

The name Habakkuk means to wrestle.  It is the act of questioning why God is allowing something to go undone.  I know this place well, for I question more than most.  Yet, because I find this in scripture along with others who have questioned, I do find solace.  So many simply walk away from God when they don’t understand him.  That is the easy thing to do.  I know that I have the same choice.  Some walk away from his will and enjoy the pleasures of this world.  Me, I take everything to prayer.  My questions go.  My anger goes.  My frustration goes and my concerns.  I tell God exactly what is on my mind because he is the only one who can do anything about it.  It is a strange sort of Faith.  Why go anywhere else.  I understand Habakkuk.  He and Job are some of my best cerulean reading because they did not let go when things got tough.  They fought.  They fought tooth and nail.  I have learned to pray even when I don’t want to.  I pray when I just want to be left alone or when I just want to walk away.  Sooner or later my walking away leads to walking around and whether I like it or not, I am in the face of God.  I’d rather live in his world, than live without him in mine.


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