Habakkuk 3:2-13 (NRSV)
Devotion
The writer of this book asks why, if God is just, is God silent when the righteous are overcome by the wicked? Isn’t this a question all of us have, both as we experience our personal lives and the suffering we hear about every day? As our faith seeks to understand our lives and how God is present in them, this writer encourages us to be bold in prayer as we struggle not to be overcome by fear, loss, violence and suffering. On each Lenten journey, we continue to encounter the suffering and death of Jesus on our behalf. Just as Jesus did not turn away from suffering, we who follow him face suffering boldly. Just as Jesus trusted that God’s love for creation would not be defeated by evil, we trust that God’s covenantal love will sustain us as we face the reality of discipleship in a suffering world. It is this love by which our walk of faith is sustained and our lives in the world are shaped.
Prayer
Thank you, O God, that through faith we can be bold in facing suffering with your love to sustain and guide us. Amen.