Why? (Reflections on Habakkuk)
I have to admit, I have been very angry with God. Sara and I were following Him, doing what he called us to. We moved to Sherman, knowing this is where he wanted us. I have not been able to find a job for close to 3 months now. What is God doing? This is something that I constantly ask myself. I think I have a glimpse of His plan, and then wham, something off the wall happens.
For instance, last Friday Sara and I were driving in McKinney. We had a green light and I was going on through and then bam, we got hit by some kid who was turning left and did not yield. I saw him soon enough to swerve, but it still totaled our car. Her car. Our good car. Luckily, no one was hurt, but we are still left without a car. I don't know what God is doing. We have been being dilligent with our money, trying to repair our credit, hoping we could by me a new car this summer, and then this.
I was so mad. Why do people who follow God, who try to do what He has called us to, continually face hardship? Why God, why? Why did this happen to us. Why do the wicked men prosper?
I was taken back to Habbakuk 1-2 where Habakkuk talks to the Lord, lamenting much the same as I am. He wants to know why the wicked surrond the righteous. Why iniquity abounds. Then comes verse 5, probably one of the more mis-interpreted verses in the bible.
Hab 1:5
"Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because {I am} doing something in your days-- You would not believe if you were told.
I have heard lots of people "claim" this verse and all that, saying God is going to do good for them and they just have to believe and all that. Actually God is saying here and does say in the next few verses that he will raise up the Chaldeans, a wicked and perverse people, to come and conquer the Jews.
Habukkuk doesn't understand. He doesn't get it. Look at at vs 13-17. The chaldeans offer sacrifices and burn incense to their fishing nets, they worship false gods.
In chapter 2 vs 1 comes the kicker for me.
Hab 2:1
I will stand on my guard post And station myself on the rampart; And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me, And how I may reply when I am reproved.
Habukkuk simply says he will wait to hear God's answer. He will wait and trust God. Easier said than done, I'll say.
I get angry at God. I get confused. I get hurt. But how I can I do anything else but trust Him? How can I question a God who loves me, and gave His son for me? I trust you God though it is not always easy, trusting you is all I can do. I not only trust Him, I praise Him. Thank you Father, for all you brought into my life. I don't get, I'm not sure I ever will, but I trust you.
Hab 3:17-19
Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, {Though} the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult 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 hinds' {feet,} And makes me walk on my high places. For the choir director, on my stringed instruments.
Update: We found out we are getting just about the highest amount we could hope for our car. Needless to say, God is good.
For instance, last Friday Sara and I were driving in McKinney. We had a green light and I was going on through and then bam, we got hit by some kid who was turning left and did not yield. I saw him soon enough to swerve, but it still totaled our car. Her car. Our good car. Luckily, no one was hurt, but we are still left without a car. I don't know what God is doing. We have been being dilligent with our money, trying to repair our credit, hoping we could by me a new car this summer, and then this.
I was so mad. Why do people who follow God, who try to do what He has called us to, continually face hardship? Why God, why? Why did this happen to us. Why do the wicked men prosper?
I was taken back to Habbakuk 1-2 where Habakkuk talks to the Lord, lamenting much the same as I am. He wants to know why the wicked surrond the righteous. Why iniquity abounds. Then comes verse 5, probably one of the more mis-interpreted verses in the bible.
Hab 1:5
"Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because {I am} doing something in your days-- You would not believe if you were told.
I have heard lots of people "claim" this verse and all that, saying God is going to do good for them and they just have to believe and all that. Actually God is saying here and does say in the next few verses that he will raise up the Chaldeans, a wicked and perverse people, to come and conquer the Jews.
Habukkuk doesn't understand. He doesn't get it. Look at at vs 13-17. The chaldeans offer sacrifices and burn incense to their fishing nets, they worship false gods.
In chapter 2 vs 1 comes the kicker for me.
Hab 2:1
I will stand on my guard post And station myself on the rampart; And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me, And how I may reply when I am reproved.
Habukkuk simply says he will wait to hear God's answer. He will wait and trust God. Easier said than done, I'll say.
I get angry at God. I get confused. I get hurt. But how I can I do anything else but trust Him? How can I question a God who loves me, and gave His son for me? I trust you God though it is not always easy, trusting you is all I can do. I not only trust Him, I praise Him. Thank you Father, for all you brought into my life. I don't get, I'm not sure I ever will, but I trust you.
Hab 3:17-19
Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, {Though} the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult 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 hinds' {feet,} And makes me walk on my high places. For the choir director, on my stringed instruments.
Update: We found out we are getting just about the highest amount we could hope for our car. Needless to say, God is good.
Comments
18 "Yet they are foam on the surface of the water; their portion of the land is cursed, so that no one goes to the vineyards.
19 As heat and drought snatch away the melted snow, so the grave snatches away those who have sinned.
20 The womb forgets them, the worm feasts on them; evil men are no longer remembered but are broken like a tree.
21 They prey on the barren and childless woman, and to the widow show no kindness.
22 But God drags away the mighty by his power; though they become established, they have no assurance of life.
23 He may let them rest in a feeling of security, but his eyes are on their ways.
24 For a little while they are exalted, and then they are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like heads of grain.
25 "If this is not so, who can prove me false and reduce my words to nothing?"
Just thought it might help a little.
What makes you think that God had anything to do with your getting the maximum money for a totaled car?
You probably don't want to hear it, but I'm going to tell you what I think God wants you to do. I think God wants you to join an inner-city church, or work for Central Dallas Ministries, or read the newspaper, or do something that will help you develop a little perspective.
Habakkuk is about injustice, not car insurance.