TRUSTING GOD WHEN LIFE MAKES NO SENSE
A point to ponder…. If you always have God figured out… if you never have doubts or questions… if you never see through a glass dimly… if everything always falls into a neat little formula… if you have never felt small, bewildered, perplexed or scared… could it be you do not have the real God… the One who can’t be put in a box or be fully explained?
Take Habakkuk for example. I know, you are thinking, “Haba-who?” Happiness is knowing where Habakkuk is in the Bible. He is known as the “doubting Thomas of the Old Testament.” The Prophet starts off his book not very Prophet like. He lets God have it. He does not hold back. It is a time of anguish, terror, violence, and wickedness. Every system is imploding and falling apart. Sad news is everywhere. Habakkuk loses hope. The one who is supposed to be strong, blames God for the mess. (1:2-4)
But… what if the Prophet has it all wrong? What if Habakkuk does not have the whole picture? What if God is doing something so wild, it would be hard to fathom. God says, “Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days- You would not believe if you were told.” (1:5) The bombshell comes in the next verse. God is going to use the wicked Babylonians to dispense discipline of His own people. SAY WHAT? THE BABYLONIANS. Now, the Prophet is really blindsided. He is thrown for a loop. How can God use a nation a hundred times worse than they are? God’s people are about to be shaken to their core.
The answer for Habakkuk is not in the “Why” but in the “Who.” The answer is in God’s Person, Power, and Plan. In this 2600-year-old book, we discover we can trust God when things do not make sense, we can follow God when we are not sure where God is leading us, and we can believe God despite our questions. God is writing a story beyond what we can see or imagine and loves to redemptively insert our smaller story into His bigger story. In so doing, God’s fame is made known, and we can say, “The Sovereign is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to walk on high places.” 3:19
If you are living the dream. If all is perfect right now. If you are on a non-stop mountaintop spiritual experience. If your kids’ teeth are all straight and your income is soaring and you have God 100% figured out, this book will probably not hit your fancy right now. But if your life and world is messy right now… give old Habakkuk a try.
Dr. Michael Sprague is the Louisiana State Chaplain with the Capitol Commission and President of Grace Adventures. Michael lives with his wonderful wife Donna and resides in Mandeville, LA. His motto is “Bet the Farm on God.” You can find more information about Michael here.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me”(John 14;1). The Israelites had lost hope in Moses and were ready to go back to Egypt and live as slaves. They had now lost hope in milk and honey in Canaan. But the good news, at long last, they reached Canaan.
You say :
“It’s impossible.”
God says :
“All things are possible.” (Luke 18:27)
You say :
“I’m too tired.”
God says :
“I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say :
“Nobody really loves me.”
God says :
“I love you.” (John 3:16 & John 3:34)
You say :
“I can’t go on .”
God says :
“My grace is sufficient.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say :
“I can’t figure things out.”
God says :
“I will direct your steps.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say :
“I can’t do it.”
God says :
“You can do all things.” (Philippians 4:13)
You say :
“I’m not able.”
God says :
“I am able.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
You say:
“It’s not worth it.”
God says :
“It will be worth it” (Roman 8:28)
You say :
“I can’t forgive myself.”
God says :
“I forgive you.” (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say :
“I can’t manage.”
God says :
“I will supply all your needs.” (Philippians 4:19)
You say :
“I’m afraid.”
God says :
“I have not given you a spirit of fear.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
You say :
“I’m always worried and frustrated.”
God says :
“Cast all your cares on me.” (1 Peter 5:7)
You say:
“I’m not smart enough.”
God says :
“I give you wisdom.” (1 Corinthians 1:30)
You say :
“I feel all alone.”
God says :
“I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
Father, thank You for reminding us that You are all we need. Amen