Wrestle and Watch

Why does God allow injustice? How’s that for a loaded question? Well, if you’re looking for the answer here, I’m sorry to disappoint you. Because I don’t have a clue. I’m still trying to figure that one out for myself.

In fact, I received soul-crushing news this week. News of unfathomable injustice. The kind of news that makes you physically ill right down to the core of your existence. My chest literally hurt. I couldn’t breathe.

I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Habakkuk 3:1

I’m tempted to blame God. How in the world could He allow this? Afterall, He hates injustice! False witnesses rose against me. Despite my feelings, I was obedient to Him and followed the path He very clearly laid out before me. So, why on earth would He bring me this far just to crush me? Come on God!! Surely evil doesn’t win. This seems nothing shy of cruel.

I take comfort in knowing that Habakkuk asked the same hard questions. He wrestled with God over this very issue. He was outraged at the idea that God was going to send Babylon, an evil nation, to judge Israel. Babylon was violent and practiced idolatry. But Habakkuk wasn’t afraid to show God his outrage.

How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?” Habakkuk 1:2

Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? Habakkuk 1:13

I’ve learned from Habakkuk that God gives us permission to question Him. In fact, I believe He welcomes it. It’s our questions that drive us into a deeper intimacy with our living God. Out of our questions, come a better understanding of who God is and what His character is like. I do not believe that He expects us to drown in a sea of confusion and desperation. He longs for us to come to Him, wrestle with Him and converse with Him.

But then, after a respectable wrestling match with God, Habakkuk waited. It’s easy to get caught up in the noise of our emotions and forget to stop and listen. A good conversationalist pauses. Leans in. Waits for response. If we’re not getting answers, it’s quite possible we’re not quiet long enough to hear what He has to say. Let’s take our cue from the Psalmist, “be still, and know that I am God.”

I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts: I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. Habakkuk 2:1

After Habakkuk wrestled and waited…he trusted. Even before his circumstances changed, Habakkuk came to the conclusion that God is mighty, righteous and good. He trusted God that His promises are true. He believed in WHO God is. He focused on His character, rather than his lack of answers.

When Habakkuk accepted reality while waiting on God, it wasn’t denial. It was faith. Not faith that God would do what Habakkuk wanted God to do. But faith in God’s character. Habakkuk goes on to say, “The sovereign hand of God is doing something here. God has spoken, so I’ll accept whatever he is doing, as difficult as that may be for me.” – Craig Groeschel

My friend, are you fighting Babylonians too? Are you going through something so excruciating that you’re groaning from within? Look to the hills. Find your relief and your strength in who God is. Don’t be afraid to ask Him the hard questions. Watch and wait for His answers. Focus on His character. Then take heart. He will swoop in and save you at the appointed time. He will strengthen you in the meantime. His promises are true. His character is righteous. He does hate injustice! You can rest in that. I know I am.

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19