When God Is Silent Day 8: Habakkuk 3:1-2

Read & Journal

Read Habakkuk 3:1-2. Ponder what you’ve read; let these questions guide you.

• Think about what you’ve read in Habakkuk so far. How are these verses similar? How are they different?

• Do you think these verses reflect a different approach or attitude on Habakkuk’s part? Why or why not?

• Consider your own circumstances today, the injustice and unrighteousness you see all around you and even in your own life. If you were writing your own prayer of praise to God, recognizing him as powerful and sovereign, what would you say?

• Consider verse 2. What are some instances in the history of Israel/Judah when God had intervened during a time of deep need?

• Think about your own life. Have there been times when God has intervened in the middle of your deep need? What did you learn about him in those instances?

• God had told Habakkuk that judgment was coming, and it wasn’t going to be an easy or pleasant experience. In asking for God’s help and mercy, Habakkuk signals his acceptance and desire to seek God. When has God called you to a difficult situation or experience? What did you learn about God’s character through that experience? What did you learn about yourself? How did you see God’s provision and mercy during that time?

Ponder

In the beginning of the book of Habakkuk, the prophet’s questions had been, “Where are you, God? And why aren’t you doing something?” But now, after God has responded to him with a vision, Habakkuk cried out to God in prayer. He was still asking for God to work in the situation, but instead of wondering where God was and why he was silent, Habakkuk began to express his quiet confidence in God’s character. His prayer is not a longing for the “good ol’ days,” but for God’s purpose to be fulfilled, even if it meant enduring a very difficult season.

It’s the prayer of the faithful in light of the diagnosis you prayed against.

It’s the prayer of the believer in times of discipline .

It’s the prayer of Jesus in Luke 22:42: not my will but yours be done, Lord.

Clearly, while we’d long for seasons where justice and righteousness prevail, God can use difficult seasons for his greater glory—and in the case of Jesus’ sacrifice, for our greater good. Habakkuk rightly understood that God had called his people to a time of discipline and judgment. Rather than questioning God’s character any longer, Habakkuk found hope and power in resting in the God who had proven his character time and time again.

Whatever circumstances or situations you are facing today—whether it’s a season of difficult discipline or a season of difficulty designed for forge and strengthen your faith—choose today to place your trust in the God who has proven his character again and again. Rather than longing for the “good ol’ days” marked by injustice and unrighteousness, believe in the sovereign God whose plan is designed to bring more glory to himself, even through difficult seasons. Habakkuk caught a glimpse of the one true God reigning over all the world with glory and strength and knew that the best, indeed, was yet to come.

The best is yet to come for you and me, too. Come, Lord Jesus!