WHAT SHOULD A PERPLEXED CHRISTIAN DO?
“God, how long will You allow evil to run rampant? How long will You allow corrupt leaders to sway? How long will You allow the ridicule, blasphemy, and coarse jesting that defies Your righteousness to continue? You punished evil before; why is the punishment so late now? How much more must I bear, God?” All of these questions share a common factor. While there is absolute faith in God, doubts exist because faith does not fit the facts of life. This leads to perplexity and frustration. We know that God is the absolute Ruler, but conditions often appear beyond anyone’s control. What should a perplexed Christian do?
A theology student went to a professor after studying agnostic arguments spurning Christ’s deity. The teacher patiently listened and then said, “My dear young friend, your difficulties are of the head. If I should answer them, new ones would arise. The best way to remove them and guard yourself from future and similar troubles is to have proper knowledge of Christ. Replace your doubts with knowledge, and you’ll find security.” The young student followed his advice and found that once he had obtained the proper knowledge of Christ all doubts disappeared. The cure for doubting is true knowledge. As knowledge is obtained, doubts will be dispelled. This was the situation with the prophet Habakkuk. He confessed significant doubts, touching even God’s nature.
God had not allowed evil to win in the past. Righteousness had been the victor, but the situation seemed different in Habakkuk’s time. The prophet wanted to know how God could tolerate evil and even allow it to worsen, his struggles can be summarized in three questions: (1) Is God indifferent? (1:2). He struggled with deep distress because it appeared that God did not care about those who were suffering innocently. Even though he knew that God truly cared, the surrounding evil forced him to ask this question. (2) Is God inactive? (1:3, 4). It seemed as if God was doing nothing, while Habakkuk was doing everything. The prophet saw only his own concern for Judah. (3)Is God inconsistent?(1:12–17). He knew that God’s eyes were “too holy” to accept evil, yet it seemed that God was accepting evil as the Babylonians became God’s instruments to punish Judah. How could a just God use such wicked people to punish His chosen people? How could a holy God execute fairness with such an evil nation?
Four significant lessons emerge from Prophet Habakkuk's perplexity. These have a direct bearing upon Christians today. First, God is the absolute Sovereign (2:20).He will judge all. None will escape His notice. Second, faithfulness to Him assures safety (2:4b).If you want to gain a permanent standing with God, be faithful to His will. Those who trust in God’s will are equipped to survive troubled times. Even if everything essential to life is removed, one’s fidelity to God should remain (3:17–19). Third, divine discipline is guaranteed—judgment is certainly coming (3:3–15). It may not come soon, but it is coming. Fourth, tranquillity can exist in the midst of distress. The secret lies in a conviction and trust in God’s sovereignty. Those who trust Him know that God has dealt wondrously in the past and He will still do so now (Job 13:15; Psalm 73:26–28). Have you allowed the tumults of life to persuade you to leave the faith? How confident is your trust in God? Recheck, for God is faithful.
Word Affirmation: “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." - Habakkuk 2:3 (Don't just say it, mean it!)
“ While there is absolute faith in God, doubts exist because faith does not fit the facts of life. "
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