SWHW Bible Reading Plan: July 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Lauren Diggs:

Here, we find ourselves in the middle of a bit of back and forth between Habakkuk and God. Habakkuk is making known how displeased he is with the destruction and violence happening around him, and he’s pleading with God to do something. 

“O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you, ‘Violence!’ and you will not save?” Habakkuk 1:2

God responded by telling Habakkuk He was already at work to bring justice even though Habakkuk couldn’t see it.

“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.” Habakkuk 1:5

Well, Habakkuk didn’t like God’s answer, so he continued to plead with God. But God, in His unending grace, reminded Habakkuk He is Sovereign in all His ways and timing.

“For the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end -- it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3

I’m sure you’ve had your own Habakkuk-type back and forth with the Lord. You are wondering where God is in all the injustice, the hurt, the brokenness—questioning, sometimes, His answer or His timing to what’s going on. And you are right to take what’s breaking your heart before the Lord. Because if it’s breaking yours, you best believe it’s been breaking His. 

Let’s take the reminder from Habakkuk today that God is always at work on our behalf, even when we can’t see it. Whatever and whenever His answer is, it is always for our good and His glory. When we lay our burdens down before our Holy and Sovereign God in this way, we can say, as Habakkuk did in verses 18-19, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.”

Habakkuk is not rejoicing in the outcome because it hasn’t even happened yet. He’s rejoicing in the Lord. And he’s able to rejoice because he’s learned he can trust the Lord. No matter what. 

When we put our trust in God instead of man, we are able to take joy, not in our circumstances, but in God Himself. This doesn’t mean we don’t suffer or cry out to God on behalf of someone else’s suffering. It just means we put our faith in the only One who holds it all together and gives us our strength in time of need. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You I don’t have to have all the answers because I know and trust You do. When my suffering or the suffering of others overwhelms me, be my strength as the God of my salvation. Help me to quickly run to You and trust in Your sovereign plan. You have never failed, and You won’t start now. I love You, Jesus. Amen.