Habakkuk: A 7-Day Devotional on Ruthless TrustShembull

### Why Does God Tolerate Evil? Habakkuk 1:12-17 Written by Marlin Keel #### The Reality of Sin The moment Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and eat the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, sin entered their hearts. Ruthless trust in God became ruthless disregard of Him. That sin will infest the hearts of their descendants until God’s redemptive plan for mankind comes full circle. Until then, mankind will live in a broken and sinful world. You can open the Bible to almost any location, begin reading, and soon encounter an individual or a group engaged in some form of sin. Joshua had long seen the sin and disobedience of the Israelites during the Exodus and the occupation of the Promised Land when he proclaimed, “… choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship—the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living? As for me and my family, we will worship the LORD” (Joshua 24: 15). Daniel was told by the man clothed in linen, “Go on your way, Daniel, for the words are secret and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand” (Daniel 12: 9 – 10, NIV). Recently, Dan Smith, director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, made a comment, “This is really a difficult period in world history, and there is not a lot of peace being made.” #### The Boldness to Question God The prophet Habakkuk lived in the same sinful and broken world. He saw the conflict and injustice around him in Judah, and he saw the idol-worshiping nation of Babylon prospering while enacting violence on defenseless people. Habakkuk approached God with questions on behalf of the people, boldly asking God, “Why do You force me to look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?" (Habakkuk 1: 3). #### The Faithfulness of God Knowing the sincerity of Habakkuk’s heart, God responded that the Babylonians would have their day of accountability for their sinful ways. In addition, God told Habakkuk, “But the righteous one will live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:4). Habakkuk was a faithful believer in God, clinging to ruthless trust. God challenges him to hold fast to his faith and understand that even during times of seemingly endless havoc on earth, God remains sovereign. #### What About Today? Fast-forward to 2022. Our world is not much different than Habakkuk’s day. Individuals and nations continue in their evil ways. Habakkuk’s questions to God remain appropriate today, and God’s response is even more relevant today. You and I must live by our faith. Our faith must not be a ho-hum assent that God is in control and will work it all out while we observe from the sidelines. Our faith must manifest itself in a ruthless trust in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Faith compels us to ask God how He wants us to be a part of His redemptive plan for humanity and then respond in obedience when He answers. God is eternally faithful to those who seek Him. #### Now What? Ask the Lord how He would have you participate in His plan of redemption. Who can you reach out to with the hope of Christ? How can you exhibit ruthless trust in God as you do, no matter the results?