25th November 2024

It is as though Habakkuk and Christ were, at separate times, reading from the same script. Habakkuk cries out to God, at the beginning of his book, ‘How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save?’ (Habakkuk 1:2). Christ asked a not dissimilar question, recorded in the gospels: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). We might also have cried out to God, ‘Where are you?’ And if so, we can take comfort from both Jesus and Habakkuk if we look beyond those heartfelt laments. Sometimes it seems as though evil and injustice triumph and God – with all his power – is absent, looking the other way. 

We have to admit that all the extravagant promises scattered throughout these ‘minor’ Old Testament prophets were never completely fulfilled in the time expected; although the Jews in Jesus’ day hung onto those promises, waiting for their fulfilment as they lived under the sometimes harsh rule of the Roman Empire. The many people who believed that Jesus would fulfil those promises in his lifetime, leading them to defeat their oppressors, were disappointed when they saw him dying on the cross. It did appear as though evil and injustice had indeed triumphed. In Chapter 2 of Habakkuk God pronounces a coming judgement against the evil and injustice within Judah at that time and says, “For the revelation awaits an appointed time…Though it linger, wait for it; it^[will certainly come and will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:3).

As Habakkuk goes through the process of making sense of the world around him, and how God is working with it, so we get an insight into Christ’s very human doubts as he faced the day that would bring pain, ridicule, hatred, anger and leaving the physical life that had been his home for over 30 years – where he’d healed the sick, fed the hungry, and taught of his Father’s kingdom. From the beginning of the prophet’s lament to his soul-bearing final prayer, we have an example of how the righteous live by faith. We share this journey with him, from utter despair, to faith rewarded. But what is our faith in? That God will judge righteously and rule righteously – through Jesus Christ. But we may have to wait, and experience some hard times waiting.

Justice and mercy triumphed on the cross. God’s endless mercy was expressed in Christ’s perfect sacrifice which provides justice for all who accept that sacrifice. 

We can join with Habakkuk in his final beautiful prayer, recorded at the end of the book, ‘clinging’ to God’s promises, knowing that the time we wait for will come:

 ¹ Habakkuk 3: 17-18 NIV

Local congregation:
GCI Market Harborough
9 The Point
Rockingham Road
Market Harborough 
LE16 7QU

Meeting time:
Sunday 4.00 pm

Local congregational contact:
Sinead Henderson 
Email: sinead.henderson@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church