Habakkuk does something that is hard but necessary. He wrestles with God. He asks the hard questions. He wrestles with God. What is he to do with the evil in the world? How does God look by when so much evil is happening? Why does God allow it to happen? How can this be? Does this sound like a familiar line of questions to you? Are these these questions that we struggle with? In the book, we will see God respond, and we will see a path to move forward in faith. But I didn’t want to move too fast to that. Let us first take a minute to stop and to wrestle with God. Let us ask those big questions. God can handle it.

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Good morning. It’s great to be with you on this Tuesday morning as we delve into one of my favorite Minor Prophets. While some of the Minor Prophets are less familiar to me, I’ve always enjoyed Habakkuk. I recently revisited Nahum, a book I’d read before but hadn’t quite connected with. Returning to it was refreshing. But Habakkuk holds a special place in my heart, particularly due to a verse in chapter 2 that resonates deeply with my faith, my upbringing at Johnson Chapel United Methodist Church, and my overall spiritual journey.

Habakkuk is a profound and engaging text. I’m eager to explore it with you today, as it offers significant insights into the theme of trust—a core aspect of Habakkuk’s message that remains relevant today. As we read through the text, I believe you’ll find its themes echoing in your own experiences.

This passage reveals the heart of Habakkuk’s complaint—a sentiment many of us share today: “How long, O Lord?” How long must we witness wickedness and evil seemingly triumph over good? Why does God allow such suffering and injustice?

This struggle with the existence of evil is a common one, reflected in Psalm 73 and throughout human history. It challenges both believers and non-believers alike, raising profound questions about the nature of God and the presence of evil in the world. Providing simple answers to these complex questions can often feel inadequate. Acknowledging the reality of evil and wrestling with it is essential.

We see evil manifest in many forms: illness, suffering, and acts of inhumanity. While theological explanations about the fallenness of the world can offer some understanding, they often fail to provide comfort in the face of real pain and suffering.

Habakkuk’s struggle is an invitation for us to wrestle with these difficult questions. One of my favorite biblical stories is Jacob wrestling with God in Genesis 32. Jacob’s determination to hold on, even through the night, and his eventual limp serve as a reminder that it’s okay to struggle and seek answers from God. God is big enough to handle our doubts, fears, and questions.

If we don’t allow ourselves the space to wrestle with these issues, we risk being unprepared when life’s inevitable challenges arise. Embracing intellectual humility and acknowledging the mysteries we cannot solve is part of spiritual growth. Loving God and our neighbors is challenging enough without needing to solve all cosmic problems.

As we continue reading Habakkuk, we will see that God does provide answers. For now, let’s hold on to the understanding that it’s okay to wrestle with God and seek answers to our deepest questions. I look forward to exploring the rest of this book with you and discovering the wisdom it holds.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me via email or social media. Let’s wrestle with God together and find strength in our shared journey.

Have a great day, and see you tomorrow.