I think that we often make the same mistake the Habakkuk made, but Chapter 2:3 helps reframe the issue.Read Habakkuk 1-3
As I read it, this godly man had two complaints: 1. I have called out to You, and You haven’t come to help me. 2. The wicked people are getting away with their evil deeds (or something to that effect).
There have been times in my life when I felt like God wasn’t listening. I came to that conclusion because I had asked for something that hadn’t happened. I prayed and prayed, and got no response. Bad things are happening, I pray and nothing happens…..so God must not be listening, right?
That reminds me of the old advertisement where a young lady tells her boyfriend that she loves him…probably for the first time (that’s the impression you get). He just stares at her, not saying anything until she finally leaves the room in tears. Just as the door slams shut, you hear the guy finally respond “I love you too, honey”.
Timing is everything, I guess.
I err on the other end of the spectrum. Instead of responding slowly, I finish other people’s sentences for them. I seem to always be wanting to “go faster” too. I have been known to pass people downtown who are driving too slow and pull up WAY too close behind people who have the annoying habit of coming to a complete stop at stop signs…
So as you might have guessed, I sometimes find myself wondering why God hasn’t responded, and I’m not even done talking yet. In fact, there are times when I realize that God can’t get a word in “edgewise” because I haven’t paused to take a breath. People like me are prone to suspect that God isn’t listening because He hasn’t responded. When I read the Bible, I try to pay special attention to how long it was between the question and the answer from God. In tomorrow’s reading it was 10 days for one request. In other places months go by. Months!……
In this case, I can’t be sure. It seems like God responded right away, but it could have been some time. Actually, that’s the whole point. God operates with a different impression concerning time. That’s why 2:3 is so important to me. In that verse God says “write this down, and make sure it’s durable, because the message is for someone to read a long time from now”. Now, you have to know that God knew I would be reading that verse today and realize that God’s time isn’t the same as our time. Of course that’s not the message, but reading it reminds me of that.
The message, and the response to Habakkuk’s two complaints is clear in 2:3 “be patient, God’s plan and purpose isn’t delayed, it will take place exactly when it should”. In the remainder of this reading Habakkuk realizes that God is clearly aware of everything going on, and is actually using it to bring about salvation for the whole human race.
Having realized that “no nation who defies God will ever get away with it” and seeing the eventual horrific fate of the Babylonians, Habakkuk is overwhelmed by God’s majesty, and begins to praise.
The next time I get in a hurry and wonder why God isn’t moving as fast as I think He should, I plan to remember this passage, especially the quote in 2:3, which will help me gain some perspective. From there, I want to praise like Habakkuk did, and covenant to rest easy in the Lord, waiting for Him to do whatever it is He has planned.
Faithfully,
PR