Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 (NRSV)
Read Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 1The oracle that the prophet Habakkuk saw. Verse 2O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you "Violence!" and you will not save? Verse 3Why do you make me see wrong-doing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. Verse 4So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails. The wicked surround the righteous- therefore judgment comes forth perverted.
Chapter 2I will stand at my watchpost, and station myself on the rampart; I will keep watch to see what he will say to me, and what he will answer concerning my complaint. Verse 2Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. Verse 3For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. Verse 4Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith.
Devotion
The more I know, the more I know I don’t know. Then, like Habakkuk, I ask challenging questions and pursue answers. Habakkuk boldly asks God why God does not quickly end injustice within Judah. Lacking answers, Habakkuk further asks why he must see the suffering around him. Without answers, I would often rather turn away and ignore suffering. Would you?
However, Habakkuk does not turn away; he resolves to watchfully await answers from God. In a vision, he receives broad answers that promise future deliverance. Yet, the vision does not impart all the details. Habakkuk concludes, “the righteous live by their faith (2:4).” Habakkuk shows us we can have faith yet ask God the hard questions, “Where are You?” and “Why?” Faith does not require having all the answers or knowing precisely what to do. Rather, God’s grace through faith brings righteousness (a right relationship of trust in God) and, therein, hope for our deliverance.
Prayer
Deliverer God, we praise and thank you for your patience when we ask questions and your grace that brings us into a right relationship with you. Strengthen our trust in you as we watchfully await your guidance as to how to serve you and seek justice for all of your children. Amen.