Why?

Habakkuk 1:1-5

The burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw. O LORD, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? Even cry out to You, Violence! And You will not save. Why do you show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; there is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore perverse judgement proceeds. “Look among the nations and watch – Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you (Habakkuk 1:1-5).

One of the modern Christian myths that ought to be silenced says that when you trust Jesus, by placing all your faith in Him, you get rid of all your problems. But the sad truth is, you don’t. Oh, it is certainly true that your basic spiritual problem, your relationship with God has been solved, but with that solution comes a whole new set of problems, problems you did not face when you were an unbeliever.

Habakkuk asks the question that I know all Christians have asked, which is: “Why do the wicked seem to prosper, while the righteous seem to suffer?” Even Christ felt alone and separated from his Father when the cried out, “My God My God, why have You forsaken Me (Matthew 27:46)?

Habakkuk had some serious questions. As he surveyed the land of Judah and then watched the international scene, he found himself struggling with some serious problem. But he did the right thing: he took his problems to the LORD.

God answered the prayers of Habakkuk and said, “Look among the nations and watch, – be utterly astounded!”

I would go one step further by saying not only bring your problems to Christ in prayer but study and read your Bible. God will lead you to the answer to help ease your troubled mind. He will point out scripture that when we look around at the world we can see God’s will is being done in fulfilled prophecy.

God has never promised the life of a Christian will be easy, but he has promised, “Lo I am with you always even until the end.” God gave us his word, the Bible to show us that he cares for and is leading in the affairs of nations, even when it seems to not make sense. He sends the Holy Spirit to encourage and strengthen us. Even when the answer is slow is coming, God is always near.

Trust Him and know that He is God and that he is always leading, guiding and directing in my life, in your life, and in the nations around us. Amen.