But I don't like THAT answer!

 

Have I got your attention? 

(grin)

I put that title up there to be an attention-getter! 

We've been studying now in the Psalms for a few weeks . . . several times we have been reminded to take our problems to the Lord. That it's ok to have questions. It's ok to be bummed out. (For a bit.) 

But that the real solution is to cry out to God.

To be assured and to be confident that He will hear.

And He will respond.

He will answer.

But what if I don't like that answer?

Is that shocking to you?
Are you surprised that I would post that?

I'm being honest here. Transparent. Real.

And I'm talking about my own experiences, and perhaps yours, too. 

In my studies, I recently re-read the book of Habakkuk. Now, I'm not going to get carried away with discussions on which way we should pronounce the man's name. 

HA-Buh-kuk.

Ha-BAKK-uk.

Makes no difference, really. 

The reason we are going to study this "minor" prophet is that there's a lot here for us. And I got a feeling that I couldn't shake off . . . . the feeling that this was what the Spirit wants us to camp out on for a while.

In my own life, recently, there have been some things that have shaken my world. And that may have happened to you, recently, too. Even the most faithful and fervent believe may look up to the heavens and say, "Lord, why?" 

Why me?

Why now?

This is not how I thought it would be, Lord . . . 

It's the kind of question that has been asked by every generation. If we are honest, we all ask it sooner or later. The godliest of believers have sometimes wondered about the "mysterious" ways of God. Human suffering is a problem, and until the Lord returns, it will continue to be a problem. 

That's where our study of Habakkuk comes in. Let's dig deep into this tiny book, OK? 

This book was written just before the bottom dropped out from under the people of Judah. 
Uh oh.

Still looking for Habakkuk?

It's in the Minor Prophets section of our Old Testament, between Nahum and Zephaniah. They are not called minor or major because of any difference in importance! Just because of their size -- the five major prophets take up many more pages in our Bibles. Habakkuk only contains fifty-six verses divided between three chapters! 

Now, there's another difference in Habakkuk, other than the length of the book . . . . when we read Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others, we read messages FROM God to His people. Positive messages, negative messages. Habakkuk, though, is a record of a conversation WITH God. 

Let's look at the background of the book, too. The year, according to the scholars, is 605 BC (or somewhere close to it!).  King Josiah (who was a good and godly king) died in 609 BC. You would think, perhaps, that he would have changed some people, and left behind a wonderful legacy. You'd think that they would have learned something . . . 

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. (II Kings 22:1-2)

What's that?

Is it a herd of lemmings, dashing en masse off a cliff? 

No, that's the whole nation of Judah rushing pell-mell into corruption, idolatry, and the immorality that they'd been following for many generations. They unfortunately did not learn a thing from good King Josiah.

It was as if the entire nation of Judah had no use for God . . . 

Hmmmmm. Does that sound like any country we know of, today? (grin)

Let's read the first chapter of Habakkuk and then gather next time to discuss. 

Who's with me?