"CAN I TRUST YOU, GOD?"
"I MEAN, YOU'RE LETTING THE WICKED HAVE SUCCESS AND THE GODLY PEOPLE SUFFER. HOW CAN THIS BE FAIR?"
"CAN I RELY ON YOU TO DO RIGHT ... OR ARE ALL OF US BEING FORGOTTEN?"
600 years before Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, a very good man with a very hurt heart was asking God the Father:
“How long, Oh Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but you do not save.”
“How long, Oh Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but you do not save.”
The first two chapters are a conversation, believe it or not, between Habakkuk and God. Habakkuk questions God about his inaction and God responds.
Habakkuk wants to know why God is not doing anything about all this wretched behavior.
Who are the Babylonians? The Chaldeans?
Why does Habakkuk not seemed satisfied?
Does he ever get a proper answer? If so, what is it?
Habakkuk wants to know why God is not doing anything about all this wretched behavior.
Who are the Babylonians? The Chaldeans?
Why does Habakkuk not seemed satisfied?
Does he ever get a proper answer? If so, what is it?
Habakkuk 1:2-4
2 How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!”
but you do not save?
3 Why do you make me look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?
Destruction and violence are before me;
there is strife, and conflict abounds.
4 Therefore the law is paralyzed,
and justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous,
so that justice is perverted.
Habakkuk asks God why he delays judgement on bad people and allows good people to be hurt. Many atheists deny Christianity because it seems to not answer why God does this. It just seems unfair. God allows us to see sin to make us humble, to make submissive in the hour of trouble, to make his value of salvation better.God allows us to see sin in others to see the wickedness of it, and how without him we would have been the same way, and to admire the grace of God when he saves sinners.
So imagine this in modern times. A student cheats on a test and gets an A. Another student studies really hard, but fails. This seems very unfair. But later, in college, they cheat again but get caught and expelled. They learn an important lesson as well as teaching others. Even though we sometimes feel life isn't fair, God allows it to happen so we can rely in him. - Meredith and Sarah
What does this mean???? Allow me to give an illustration: the case of Bill Cosby. Cosby was accused of raping many young women, and he was concluded by the general public and the courts (up until recently) to be not guilty of these crimes, despite many witnesses to the contrary. How can this show the justice system at its best? How can this happen when so much evidence pointed the other way? The fact of the matter is that human justice and the human perception of justice is not perfect. What is perceived as unjust by a finite-minded human is more complicated and ultimately perfectly executed by the infinite God. - Sarah and Shelby
2 How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!”
but you do not save?
3 Why do you make me look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?
Destruction and violence are before me;
there is strife, and conflict abounds.
4 Therefore the law is paralyzed,
and justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous,
so that justice is perverted.
Habakkuk asks God why he delays judgement on bad people and allows good people to be hurt. Many atheists deny Christianity because it seems to not answer why God does this. It just seems unfair. God allows us to see sin to make us humble, to make submissive in the hour of trouble, to make his value of salvation better.God allows us to see sin in others to see the wickedness of it, and how without him we would have been the same way, and to admire the grace of God when he saves sinners.
So imagine this in modern times. A student cheats on a test and gets an A. Another student studies really hard, but fails. This seems very unfair. But later, in college, they cheat again but get caught and expelled. They learn an important lesson as well as teaching others. Even though we sometimes feel life isn't fair, God allows it to happen so we can rely in him. - Meredith and Sarah
What does this mean???? Allow me to give an illustration: the case of Bill Cosby. Cosby was accused of raping many young women, and he was concluded by the general public and the courts (up until recently) to be not guilty of these crimes, despite many witnesses to the contrary. How can this show the justice system at its best? How can this happen when so much evidence pointed the other way? The fact of the matter is that human justice and the human perception of justice is not perfect. What is perceived as unjust by a finite-minded human is more complicated and ultimately perfectly executed by the infinite God. - Sarah and Shelby
This first chapter is a conversation between God and Habakkuk. It starts with Habakkuk complaining about the injustice in the world and the destruction of Israel. The Lord tells him that the Chaldeans would come to his land, but He would leave Habakkuk amazed and in disbelief. Habakkuk tells God that He does not understand what is happening and cannot comprehend why God would not help His people. Habakkuk 1:2-3 says, “ How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.” A week ago, I saw a skit referring to this same subject. Three people were calling out to God, complaining about their problems in life. They did not understand why this bad thing was happening to them. A few lines into the prayer, they realized God was trying to tell them that they needed to forgive and forget what that person or people had done to them. After they came to terms with the fact God’s plan is better than theirs, they listened to Him and made the decision to forgive and forget. This verse and skit explain that even though bad things may happen to good people and vice versa, God always has a plan. In the end, He works all things for good, and if we do what He says, life will work out for the better.
- Katie and Abigail
- Katie and Abigail
Like here in Habakkuk, a reoccurring question that always seems to surface today is "If there is a God, then why do bad things happen to good people?"
Well, what does this mean? I have a personal story that, i believe, answers this question:
2 years ago my mother received news that she had breast cancer. When she told me the news she tried her best to keep herself together and not get upset, but I lost it and got angry and started yelling at God. I didn't understand why God was allowing this to happen to a great woman. She still stayed oddly calm and began to comfort me. She was acting as if she knew everything would be okay. Some time later she had surgery and was told afterwards that the chance of the cancer returning was insanely low. Today she is a strong and faithful woman. A close friend had told her that she would survive and become stronger than she was before her illness. I believe that she - and I - went through this in order to rely upon God more and also to seethat my strength is in God. It wasn't a good experience, but a powerful one. - Dylan
Well, what does this mean? I have a personal story that, i believe, answers this question:
2 years ago my mother received news that she had breast cancer. When she told me the news she tried her best to keep herself together and not get upset, but I lost it and got angry and started yelling at God. I didn't understand why God was allowing this to happen to a great woman. She still stayed oddly calm and began to comfort me. She was acting as if she knew everything would be okay. Some time later she had surgery and was told afterwards that the chance of the cancer returning was insanely low. Today she is a strong and faithful woman. A close friend had told her that she would survive and become stronger than she was before her illness. I believe that she - and I - went through this in order to rely upon God more and also to seethat my strength is in God. It wasn't a good experience, but a powerful one. - Dylan
Hab. 1:4 and 2:4 "So the law is paralyzed and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted."
Bad people get off the hook all of the time and plenty of good people have terrible things happen to them. Here is an example:
OJ Simpson had to serve only nine years for murdering two people. Even though he claims innocence but everyone believes he did and there is proof that he did. He even stole sports memorabilia. Now he's a free man. Have you ever met a person with a terminal illness? Have they ever did something terribly wrong? Think of all the people in the world who has done terrible things and never had to fight or struggle for there life like this. Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. It tells us to have faith in God and everything will work out in the end.
- Nicholas and Garrett
Bad people get off the hook all of the time and plenty of good people have terrible things happen to them. Here is an example:
OJ Simpson had to serve only nine years for murdering two people. Even though he claims innocence but everyone believes he did and there is proof that he did. He even stole sports memorabilia. Now he's a free man. Have you ever met a person with a terminal illness? Have they ever did something terribly wrong? Think of all the people in the world who has done terrible things and never had to fight or struggle for there life like this. Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. It tells us to have faith in God and everything will work out in the end.
- Nicholas and Garrett
"God doesn't let them get away with evil..."
In Habakkuk chapter 2, God told Habakkuk to record their conversations for the benefit of others. Those who read it would make rapid progress but they couldn't if Habakkuk didn't make it plain. Habakkuk wondered how Babylon, a nation far worse than Judah could be used for judgement in Judah. We might wonder how we could witness to Muslims who persecute Christians. God tells Habakkuk that He sees the proud and knows that their souls are not right - and they WILL be dealt with. Pride is a universal sin and we all have pride that we need to fix whether that we are rich, talented, or good looking. Wherever pride is found it is always hateful to God. - Alex and P.R.
In Habakkuk chapter 2, God told Habakkuk to record their conversations for the benefit of others. Those who read it would make rapid progress but they couldn't if Habakkuk didn't make it plain. Habakkuk wondered how Babylon, a nation far worse than Judah could be used for judgement in Judah. We might wonder how we could witness to Muslims who persecute Christians. God tells Habakkuk that He sees the proud and knows that their souls are not right - and they WILL be dealt with. Pride is a universal sin and we all have pride that we need to fix whether that we are rich, talented, or good looking. Wherever pride is found it is always hateful to God. - Alex and P.R.
“Lord, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, you will never die. You, Lord, have appointed them to execute judgment; you, my Rock, have ordained them to punish. Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?You have made people like the fish in the sea, like the sea creatures that have no ruler. The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he catches them in his net, he gathers them up in his dragnet; and so he rejoices and is glad.”
Habakkuk 1:12-15 NIV
These verses express what many people wonder today? Why do bad things happen to good people? And also, why do good things happen to bad people? Even strong Christians struggle to understand this. But God is a just God. He will judge. God lets us see the bad in this world so we will trust him more. We have no place to judge others - let's allow God to do that.
Habakkuk 1:12-15 NIV
These verses express what many people wonder today? Why do bad things happen to good people? And also, why do good things happen to bad people? Even strong Christians struggle to understand this. But God is a just God. He will judge. God lets us see the bad in this world so we will trust him more. We have no place to judge others - let's allow God to do that.
Habakkuk 1:2-3
Habakkuk was looking at the violence around him and was wondering why God was allowing these bad things to happen to his people. God allows us to see sin in others to show us that we might be sinners ourselves. He does this to humble us and make us value His salvation even more. He makes us see the wickedness so we may hate it and run from it. He also wants us to admire the grace of God when he saves us from our sin. The world sometimes doesn’t agree with what God wants. I have personally seen the consequences of sin in my family and have discerned for myself that I want no part of it and instead want to run from it. - Riley and Jared
Habakkuk 1:2-4, Habakkuk questions God with why do bad things happen to good people? God answers in Habakkuk 1:5-11. this relates to Mrs. Kim Whitehead. She is kind, loving, and caring to everyone. recently she got diagnosed with cancer, and its getting worse by the day. Habakkuk went from questioning God to trusting him through his struggles. God is not angry with us and he loves us however since we live in an imperfect world filled with sin we have to deal with good and bad in everything. can good come from pain? Yes, through growth in the glory of God, and there are ways you can recover from hard times.
-Taylor, Kaitlyn,and Keegan
Habakkuk was looking at the violence around him and was wondering why God was allowing these bad things to happen to his people. God allows us to see sin in others to show us that we might be sinners ourselves. He does this to humble us and make us value His salvation even more. He makes us see the wickedness so we may hate it and run from it. He also wants us to admire the grace of God when he saves us from our sin. The world sometimes doesn’t agree with what God wants. I have personally seen the consequences of sin in my family and have discerned for myself that I want no part of it and instead want to run from it. - Riley and Jared
Habakkuk 1:2-4, Habakkuk questions God with why do bad things happen to good people? God answers in Habakkuk 1:5-11. this relates to Mrs. Kim Whitehead. She is kind, loving, and caring to everyone. recently she got diagnosed with cancer, and its getting worse by the day. Habakkuk went from questioning God to trusting him through his struggles. God is not angry with us and he loves us however since we live in an imperfect world filled with sin we have to deal with good and bad in everything. can good come from pain? Yes, through growth in the glory of God, and there are ways you can recover from hard times.
-Taylor, Kaitlyn,and Keegan