Faith Seeking Understanding

The book of Habakkuk is one of my favorites. It reminds me that faith in God isn’t a leap in the dark, nor is it a denial of reality. Faith in God enables us to keep our feet on the ground as we cope with the most painful and puzzling circumstances. He asks questions because the injustice and pain of life seem to deny what the Bible teaches about God’s goodness and sovereignty. He speaks with faith seeking understanding.

How do you speak to God? Oftentimes, we bring our complaints to God in defiance, with clenched fists. Instead, he wants us to bring our complaints to him with arms outstretched, with humility and in submission.

Habakkuk wants God to act. In verse 2 and 3 he says, O Lord, how long shall I cry for help and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong?” He believes that God is righteous and that he will not tolerate sin. And yet, God seems to be silent and inactive. He sees evil prevailing and questions God.

God didn’t have to respond, but he did with the words of today’s passage. God’s plan seemed unjust. It looked like he was rewarding evil. Our perspective is limited, just like Habakkuk. He didn’t know it at the time, but God was preparing the people for something far greater, something they would not have believed if God told them.

When we are frustrated by our failure to make sense of our situation or our inability to escape our dilemma, God is still at work in times of darkness. It is easy to forget that God calls the shots, be it in politics, economics, human conflicts or natural disasters. Faith enables us to perceive the realities that are hidden to human eyes.

Habakkuk could only see what was happening in front of him. God reminds him, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14). God strengthened his faith and led him into a deeper understanding of his way.

We know that through Jesus suffering the punishment his people deserved on the cross, God has already begun to set everything straight (Psalm 96:10-13; 98:7-9). In rising again from the dead, he brought into existence the new creation that will be consummated at his return.

God sees the end from the beginning; we see only a small part with blurred vision. His timetable is different from ours and he is not about to alter it to accommodate our misguided wishes.

Faith in God means learning to evaluate our present circumstances from the standpoint of God’s eternal purposes. It means committing ourselves to waiting for the LORD to act on our behalf. We will not give in to despair; we will not give in to complaint; we will trust and we will wait, even if God’s pace seems too slow.

Loving Father, help me to trust your will and your timing. Thank you for salvation through Christ that guarantees my security in you. Increase my faith in you this day. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Song of Reflection: "I Will Wait For You (Psalm 130)" by Keith & Kristyn Getty When relevant, we’ll include a song that can help you reflect further on today’s subject. If you have song recommendations that are relevant to today’s passage or devotional, feel free to send them to us!