Why Lord, why?

"2How long, O LORD, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. 3Must I forever see these evil deeds?
Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. 4The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted."                     Habakkuk 1:2 - 4   NLT

Habakkuk was a prophet, otherwise nothing is known about him. Though most prophets spoke to the people on behalf of God, Habakkuk spoke to God on behalf of the people. He felt he was allowed to do this, after all, the people were suffering and with the threat of being overtaken by the Babylonians, it was a scary place to be. Habakkuk wanted answers from God and he wasn't frightened to challenge God about this. 

Have you ever felt alone in standing for justice while God seems indifferent to it all? This happens when we forget that God alone can see the whole picture and He's working out His sovereign plan in the midst of the chaos. When we realise that God is all knowing (omniscient), all powerful (omnipotent) and holy, then we realise He knows how to run things better than we do. 

But we still have that feeling, 'Why does God allow suffering and death and all the atrocities that we see and hear about in our world?' Often when we speak to unbelievers about Jesus, they bring up these type of questions; and, it is better to be truthful and say, 'I don't know.' Oftentimes they use these questions as an excuse not to accept Jesus.. But it is true, why does God allow such things; and this is why Habakkuk made these complaints to God.

As I've said above, we don't have the mind of God; we can't see what He is working out. There are times though, when God will allow certain things to shake us up to listen and accept Him. Why? I don't know. Check this reply out to Habakkuk in Chapter 2:2-3

“Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. 3This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed."

Habakkuk was disappointed, he had hoped for an explanation. But God said in so many words, 'Not now.' This vision was a for a later time, the End Times. He will explain all to us at that time. Until then, He has much more to attend to concerning this.

Yes, you will have these type of questions throughout your Christian life. Some will be answered quickly, where others may take a long time. Some may go unanswered totally. Can you ask God about the unanswered ones? Yes, as we see from Habakkuk's experience, God didn't send him a destroyer to finish him off. He answered him but, in His time. Remember, God has everything worked out for us; we won't see it at first but, we will do when God is ready.

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now
Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle Check it out. Just tap on Grahame Howard books.