The presence of evil in our world is surely an enigma that we’ll never be able to fully explain in this life. The question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” has been asked for centuries and our modern age has supplied no better answers than those of the ancient world. Tragically, the reaction of many to this answerless question has been to doubt God’s existence—or at least to doubt His goodness.

One thing, however, is clear: When we see misery overshadowed by worship in a person of faith, we stand in wonder. We admire those, who while their world is caving in, continue to look upward and whisper, “I will continue to praise my God for His goodness and grace!”

Job certainly comes to mind. Godly man. Conscientious father. Successful businessman. Then in rapid succession he loses his fortune and his family—but not his faith! In the midst of unimaginable darkness, Job continued to worship (1:21). Though slumped to the ground in tears, he simultaneously moved to his knees in worship.

Another Man’s “Why?” Question

But Job is not the only one to wrestle with hard questions and painful circumstances, yet continue to cling to God. Another is seen in a man we call a minor prophet who came to God with a major question. In the small book bearing his name, Habakkuk has looked upon his world in Judah and witnessed wickedness, violence and injustice (1:3-4). His opening question, “How long, O Lord, will I call for help, and You not hear” (1:2) indicates he’s been struggling with God’s apparent inaction for some time. However, as the Lord answers the prophet’s concerns, Habakkuk will not like the response.

Even if God had told him, he wouldn’t have believed it (1:5). The Lord promises to rectify the problem of Judah’s sin by using the Chaldeans as a divine tool of judgment. The Chaldeans? The same nation who butchered their enemies? The same folks who worshiped idols and sacrificed their infants? The people who exhibited no conscience, no remorse, and no reluctance to overrun and destroy any nation that stood in its way? Habakkuk’s question is no longer, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”, but “How can God allow horrible things to be inflicted on sinful people by even more sinful people?” The prophet doubts God’s wisdom—and His justice.

Shock Waves

As he looks to navigate through these serious questions, he seeks to reestablish some safe and comfortable “footing” by stating what he knows (1:12-13). “Are you not from everlasting?” God is not ignorant of what the Chaldeans might do to Judah (“My Holy One”). He is not like other gods, but is seated far above humanity, immune from its whims and ideas. God has “appointed” and “established.” Habakkuk confesses that he serves an all-powerful God that is in control. “Your eyes are too pure to approve evil.” Where men might turn a blind eye to injustice or give an approving nod to sin, God can do neither! It’s what he knows about God that brings him to the question, “Why are You silent when the wicked swallow up those more righteous than they?”

This is no theoretical issue. Habakkuk’s conclusions aren’t based on economic projections or military intelligence. God has spoken! Therefore, the suffering looming in Judah’s future is very real. The Chaldeans will seize dwellings (1:6). They will come for the purpose of violence and collect captives “like sand” (v. 9). They laugh at fortresses (v. 10) and will sweep through “like the wind” (v. 11). It’s these divine declarations that send the prophet reeling in shock!

Waiting is the Hardest Part

It’s a wise man who takes his questions about God to God; it’s an even wiser man who listens for the answers. Most men in this situation prefer talking and doing in an attempt to “fix” ‘things. Habakkuk chooses to watch, wait and listen (2:1). In marked contrast to our impatient and instant generation, Habakkuk knows what we typically ignore—watching and waiting are fundamental steps to seeing things from a divine perspective. He chooses to hand the matter over to God—and patiently awaits His response.

It is here he is reminded that the “righteous will live by his faith” (2:4). He is shown the evil existing among the Chaldeans and in a series of “woes” is assured they would ultimately pay the price (2:6-19). Their iniquity has not escaped heaven’s eye and God remains in His holy temple (2:20). Though the Chaldeans might wreak havoc with Judah, they are not more powerful than God, nor can they remove Him from His throne.

Living by Faith

It’s in the third chapter that Habakkuk reaches the pinnacle of his spiritual experience. God’s message has not just entered his mind, it has invaded his heart. He has heard the word of God and seen a vision of the work of God—and it has changed him. Living by faith is no longer a theoretical concept—it has become a spiritual reality! God’s prophet is moved to worship. Habakkuk 3 reads more like a psalm of confidence than a prophetic declaration. Three times we find the Hebrew word, “Selah” (3:3,9,13). It’s the only time in the Bible where this word is found outside of the Psalms. Though the future seems dark, Habakkuk’s worship takes the shape of three affirmations of faith.

• I will rest in the Lord (3:16). Though this short book began with an agonizing and impatient prophet in Judah, it ends with a calm and expectant servant of God! God has spoken; Habakkuk has listened. Jehovah has promised; Habakkuk has believed. God has declared; Habakkuk has accepted. He comprehends that whatever the future might hold for Judah, it is in keeping with God’s perfect wisdom and justice. He looked around and saw horrible sin among his people. He looked out and envisioned a brutal army poised to destroy. But more significantly, he looked up and trusted that the hand of God was at work in it all.
• I will rejoice in the Lord (3:17-18). If we lived in an agrarian society, we would more fully appreciate the scenario he paints in these verses. What he describes is disaster on a total scale. Blossomless figs, fruitless vines, failing olives, cut off flocks and cattle-less stalls describe not just failures in agriculture, but the ravages of war. There will be nothing to eat, nothing to drink and nothing to wear. And such poverty is not due to “natural” causes, but a ruthless enemy who is in control of the land. Still, the prophet declares: “I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.”
• I will rely on the Lord (3:19). Here is faith’s peak. The reason for his hope in the midst of such a dark situation is not any inherent strength he’s developed on his own. There has been no spiritual technique that’s been mastered. No magic formula applied. He proclaims that God is the one who not only provides stability in his life now, but who also enables him to climb higher in the future—even in the face of immense adversity. He’s not just “holding his ground,” he’s advancing like a sure-footed deer amid some of the most dangerous terrain!

Times may be good or they may be bad. Circumstances may waver and fluctuate. But those things need not affect our adoration of the One who remains constant through it all. In three brief chapters, Habakkuk teaches us much about worship—even when it must occur in the dark.