02/3/22 Daily Devotion – How long, O Lord?

“How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.” (Habakkuk 1:2–4, NIV)

So, how many times has Habakkuk’s words above been a reflection of your thoughts? Ever have those times in your life when God is not making any sense? You pray, and He doesn’t seem to answer. You try to live an upright life, and it seems to get you nowhere. As you look around at the world you live in, it appears that evil and unrighteousness prevail, while the righteous are taken advantage of. The righteous seem to suffer at the hands of the unrighteous. It all just seems so wrong. Ever been at this point with God and with the world you’re living in? I sure have! So, what do we do?

We do exactly what Habakkuk did. What amazes me when I read these verses is that God does not get upset with Habakkuk’s honesty. Habakkuk is questioning God because the things he sees happening in the world around him conflict with what he knows about God and His Word. He is confused and angry.  He wants to know what the Lord’s perspective is about all this stuff. What this tells me is that it is okay to question God. He would prefer that we bring our doubts, anger, and fear to Him than to take them and walk away from Him. God knows our hearts, and He desires that we honestly work these things out with Him.

Another reason we do exactly what Habakkuk did is because we know that it is our sight that has to be wrong. God is faithful to His Word and He will answer our prayers. Tomorrow’s devotion will address the Lord’s answer to Habakkuk’s plea.

It is okay to cry to the Lord with all that is on your heart and mind.

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church

Let the world see Jesus in you!

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