The God Who Restores – A Love God Greatly Study, Week 2 – Day 1
Today’s Reading: Habakkuk 1:1-4;
SOAP: Habakkuk 1:2-4
How long, Lord, must I cry for help?
Habakkuk 1:2-4
But you do not listen!
I call out to you, “Violence!”
But you do not deliver!
3 Why do you force me to witness injustice?
Why do you put up with wrongdoing?
Destruction and violence confront me;
conflict is present and one must endure strife.
4 For this reason the law lacks power,
and justice is never carried out.
Indeed, the wicked intimidate the innocent.
For this reason justice is perverted.
Observations: In the Absence of Law Justice is Perverted
Because God’s law was no longer being honored, Habakkuk, the prophet, cried out to God . Then, feeling as though he wasn’t being heard – he continued to call out, but still, no deliverance was seen. He was overwhelmed by the injustice God had him witness, and he didn’t understand why God was putting up with all the wrongdoing. He was confronted by destruction and violence and constantly had to endure conflict and strife.
Because of these things, he concluded that the law had become powerless (insomuch that it wasn’t being carried out). In its absence, the wicked were intimidating the innocent, and justice was being perverted.
Application: How can I apply this?
I am reminded that God’s Word is given for our instruction, for rebuke and correction, and to train us in righteousness – so that those who are dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work. Thus, I am convicted by Habakkuk’s lament that, like Habakkuk, I should cry out to God with this prayer on behalf of our world today.
Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NET
Prayer: Response to God’s Word
Father, we live in a world that, for the most part, does not honor You. Much like Habakkuk’s lament expresses – our world is filled with violence and it often seems like there is little to no deliverance. Thus, we are forced to witness a myriad of of injustices and atrocities. We wonder why You put up with wrong doing, we are confronted with destruction and violence when we watch or read any world news publication. Conflict is definitely present and we constantly have to endure strife. We watch as the law seems powerless and justice is perverted – so much, that the wicked intimidate the innocent – and we often cry out as Habakkuk – how long and why? And, I find myself pressed to say, even so Lord Jesus come!
Your Turn: Reflections
What are some of the questions you want to ask God today? Remember He cares for you, so spend time honestly sharing your heart with Him.
Cast all your cares on God, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
Me From the Inside Out 