PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Habakkuk 1-2
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.” (Habakkuk 2:20)
Habakkuk is complaining to the Lord, and the Lord answers him.
The Babylonians are noisily trashing the world, and the Lord seems silent.
And in this verse the Lord commands everyone to be quiet!
This chapter reminds me of Job interrogating the Lord for similar reasons.
“I am unworthy — how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth.” (Job 40:4)
“Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” (Job 42:3)
The Lord does not stop us from asking questions, he even encourages it.
But it is good to remember that our questions are only more noise.
We do not have the minds to understand how unfathomably complicated things are.
I am not God – on the throne – in a position to know or to do what is best.
My complaints seem real to me, but speak of things I do not understand.
It is good therapy to honestly voice my struggles, but the best therapy remains…
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations!” (Psalm 46:10)
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15)
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for allowing me to be open and honest like Habakkuk and Job. But help me to also learn to be silent before your throne, and let you be God!
Believing in the providence of God is difficult when we see bad things happen especially to good people. Sin and injustice are in the world – it has poisoned nature. God is letting it run its course and has sent nations like Babylon to discipline His people – but his greatest intervention is sending Jesus. Even today we see so many bad things happening: so many people starving from hunger (Sudan), people being bombed and deprived of shelter and peace and people suffering persecution. Habakkuk complained about God allowing it to happen – but God assures him that He is watching and tells him that yes, their time of punishment will come: “Though it linger, wait for it; it[f] will certainly come and will not delay.” We have to look past the struggle of the day and see the big picture. Lord help me to serve and encourage the struggling that I might bring hope of a better future in you Lord Jesus!
Talk with God. Bring all things before Him. But remember He is God. Sop and listen to His voice. He is the answer. Emmanuel. He is with us at all times. He is in charge. Have open ears and listen to what He says for this world belongs to God. He has overcome. He is in charge.
Jesus, Savior, pilot me,
Over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treach’rous shoal;
Chart and compass came from Thee:
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.