WE LIVE BY FAITH!
WE LIVE BY FAITH!
The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw. 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. “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. —Habakkuk 1:1-5
You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he? —Habakkuk 1:13
“Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith. —Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38
Do you have “why” questions because of all of the evil in the world? Have you come into contact with people who ask “Why does God allow evil in the world?” Well, the prophet Habakkuk did the same. He asked—
- Why do I have to see this iniquity?
- Why do You look idly at wrong?
- Why is there destruction?
- Why is there violence?
- Why is there strife?
- Why is there contention?
- Why is the law paralyzed?
- Why is there no justice?
- Why do the wicked surround the righteous?
- Why is justice perverted?
- Why do You idly look at traitors?
- Why are You silent when the wicked swallow up the righteous?
- Why do You allow the prideful to be in power?
- Why does all this happen when “You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong.”
Wow… have you ever asked any of those questions? What is the answer to these “why” questions? First… God says, “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” (Habakkuk 1:5). We need to have a world vision; a world perspective of what God is doing. Let us not be short-sighted and just be looking at our immediate circumstances or those of our nation. Let us look beyond at what God is doing in the world. Second, “The righteous shall live by faith” and “faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). It is so imperative that “For we live by faith, not by sight” (II Corinthians 5:7) because “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
When all is stripped away, will I still have faith? Will I trust Him with things I do not understand? (Job 42:3). If I have unanswered questions, can I still be faithful as I know He is always faithful? Will I live by faith in Him and not the circumstances? Oh, may it be so, Dear Father by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Dear Son Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZPMZV9MVVY