"Why, God?"

Introduction:

· · Almost of us have wrestled with the question: “Why?”

LET’S LOOK AT THE URGENCY OF THE QUESTION, THE UNEXPECTED ANSWER, AND A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE.

I) The Urgency of the Question

A. We Question Why Justice Seems Eclipsed by Corruption

i. “How Long?” Habakkuk bears witness to corruption

1. This book is a prayer journal, questioning God’s tolerance of evil

2. EXAMPLE: Violence; injustice, fighting àlaw is meaningless (Habakkuk 1:2-4)

Habakkuk 1:2–4 ESV

O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.

ii. Most of us will relate:

1. We witness evil not just in the world – but among believers?

2. EXAMPLES:

a. When the kids at a Christian school do all the same stuff…

b. A business associate takes advantage of you: “Just business.”

B. We Question Why God’s Anger is so Fierce

i. God’s Answer only raises more questions (Habakkuk 1:5)

Habakkuk 1:5 ESV

“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.

1. God welcomes Habakkuk’s honest questions

2. God’s seemingly-sympathetic answer: “The Babylonians…!” (1:6ff)

ii. A Follow up question: God as a Warrior is deeply unsettling (3:8-15)

1. Habakkuk speaks directly to God: God the warrior brings destruction

2. APPLICATION: God as shepherd, father…warrior?!

HOW DOES GOD RESPOND TO HABAKKUK’S QUESTION?

II) The Unexpected Answer God Gives

A. Trust in God – Even when You Don’t Have All the Answers

i. A secondary theme: God’s sovereignty over the nations

1. Habakkuk learns that God uses even wicked nations to accomplish his will

2. APPLICATION: Their rise to power may be akin to God using Babylon

ii. A Central Theme: The Righteous Live By Faith (Habakkuk 2:4)

Habakkuk 2:4 ESV

“Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.

1. The righteous live by faith in the sovereign God (see Hab 3:16)

Habakkuk 3:16 ESV

Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us.

2. We wish “the righteous live by answers, explanations”; God asks for trust

a. A family I know – Cancer

b. You lose your job; your wife dies, you work for an unreasonable boss

B. Rejoice In the Lord Who Is Your Strength (3:17-19)

i. We may rejoice –even when facing severe lack (vv. 17-18)

1. We rejoice when our fields are full (banks? Prosperity? Grades?)

2. Habakkuk promises something more: Joy amidst adversity, suffering

ii. We may rejoice because God gives strength (vs. 19)

1. God doesn’t just GIVE strength, he IS strength: Only suffering gives this 

2. EXAMPLE: Allen Gardiner rejoices in God, providing water collected in a boot: “What continued mercies am I receiving at the hands of my heavenly Father! Blessed be His holy name!”

SOME OF US MIGHT CHALK THIS UP TO “SOLA-BOOTSTRAPA”. WHAT ENABLES HABAKKUK?

III) The Life-Changing Experience (3:15-16)

A. Encountering God’s Presence Overwhelms us with Awe

i. What changes our Mind? God’s presence

1. A palpabe shift in tone: Habakkuk becomes a quivering mass

2. Why? Context: A Song after experiencing God’s presence (see Hab 3:1, 3:19

Habakkuk 3:1 ESV

A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.

Habakkuk 3:19 ESV

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.

ii. The Glory of God’s presence is so great that it overwhelms all other concerns (see Habakkuk 2:20)

Habakkuk 2:20 ESV

But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.”

1. Experiencing Awe: Music? Art? Nature? A feeling that overwhelms

2. This points to the composer, the artist, whose glory is so great

B. Encountering God’s Saving Power Fills Us With Awe

i. Amidst God’s fury Habakkuk trusts God works for the salvation of His people

1. Habakkuk trusts  God’s anger would lead to salvation (vv. 8, 13)

2. Habakkuk doen’st yet understand this…

ii. While Habakkuk looked forward, we may look backwards

1. We look back at Calvary, and see how God’s wrath was poured out…

2. …But also how it was poured out another for our salvation

Transition:

Conclusion

Allen Gardiner’s last journal entry