at a glance
author: Habakkuk.
date: Around 605 BC.
setting: Babylon was about to destroy Judah.
verses to remember: Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior (3:17–18).
theme to consider: Habbakkuk wondered why it appeared that evil was winning. After questioning God, Habakkuk concluded that God is in control; judgment will come; so praise God!
unchanging truth
What are you waiting for? To get your driver’s license? For a certain guy to notice you exist, let alone to finally ask you out? To get into the right college?
We spend a good percentage of our lives waiting for something to happen. Waiting is particularly difficult when you’re in emotional pain. When a relationship ends or something else happens that hurts you, you wonder when the pain will finally go away. Maybe you even wonder whether God notices how you feel.
At times like that, have you ever cried out, “Lord, how long will you allow this?” That was the cry of the prophet Habakkuk. He wondered how long God planned to stand by and watch the wrongdoings of the wicked.
See, Habakkuk thought God was just idly standing by. He thought God might have forgotten or overlooked the actions of the wicked.
Not at all. God’s answers to Habakkuk’s questions show that he had indeed noticed what was going on. He even had a plan to deal with the wrongdoers—in his time. And those who did right would be rescued and protected.
Do you believe that God is still working on your behalf even when you can’t see him at work and even when it feels like it’s been taking forever? Let the message of Habakkuk fill you with hope.
1. God answers our questions and cries for justice with the truth of his character (1:1–2:17).
2. Trusting in anything other than God is a foolish waste of time (2:18–20).
3. Remembering God’s faithfulness is helpful during hard times (3:1–19).