Have you ever asked this:

If God is good, then why do so many bad things happen in this world?

For most people, this isn’t just an idea to consider, but it’s a present reality. This question is normally asked after real loss, real pain, and real confusion. In fact, I recently met someone who asked this question. Meet Isabel.

On Monday night at work, I spoke with a young lady named Isabel. She was born and raised in El Salvador before coming to the United States. When I first met her earlier last year, she was expecting a baby. A few months later, she gave birth to a baby girl. At the time, that was all I knew about her. She didn’t speak much English, so our conversations were small and in Spanish.

One day I asked Isabel to share her story with me. She told me she is a single mother of two. Her oldest child and her newborn do not share the same father. After her first pregnancy, the father left. Later, she met another man who also walked away as soon as he learned she was pregnant again.

Her sister eventually encouraged her to move to the U.S. with her, hoping she could start a new life. And this Thanksgiving will mark two years since Isabel arrived. When she finished telling me her story, she paused for a moment and then said something that will stay with me forever:

“Sometimes I wonder why God would allow this to happen me.”

Her words were heavy, but they were also familiar because I have asked that question in my own life. And if you’re honest, maybe you have asked that question as well.

The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. 2 O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! Even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! 3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? For spoiling and violence are before me: And there are that raise up strife and contention. 4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: For the wicked doth compass about the righteous; Therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.

Habakkuk 1:1-4

The book of Habakkuk is a book about a Prophet named Habakkuk who lived during the final decades of Israel’s southern kingdom. He lived during a time where there was a lot of injustice and idolatry, and he saw the rising threat of Babylon. But unlike most Prophets who addressed or accused Israel, Habakkuk directly addresses God with his struggle.

Habakkuk’s complaint to God is three-fold:

1. Torah, or the law, isn’t being followed.
2. There is violence and injustice happening as a result of neglecting God’s word.
3. Leadership doesn’t seem to be doing anything about it.

But something incredible happens. God responds to Habakkuk’s cry.

God tells Habakkuk in verses 5-6 that he will use the terrible empire of Babylon to judge Israel’s injustice and evil.

Habakkuk complains once again:

1. Babylon is worse! They deify their powers as if their people are gods!
2. Babylon treats other humans like they’re animals!
3. Babylon devours nations!

Concerning these issues, here’s what Tim Mackie says about the book of Habakkuk.

The violence and oppression of the nations create a never-ending cycle of revenge, and that God will use this cycle to bring about the rise and fall of nations.

Tim Mackie, the Bible Project

While God may use corrupt kingdoms, God doesn’t endorse them. All nations and all people will be held accountable to God’s justice.

So what does Habakkuk teach us about God’s goodness and the sinfulness of men? What does Habakkuk teach us about this problem of evil, or how God’s presence can tolerate the evilness of mankind?

A few thoughts:

1. God sees the evil in the world. Nothing happens without God knowing about it. He saw Habakkuk’s situation before Habakkuk said anything.
2. God listens to our cries for help and He responds. Our prayers don’t end in smoke. God heard Habakkuk’s cry for justice and responded.
3. God is giving every man, like he did Babylon and Israel, a chance to change from their bad ways and place their faith and their trust in God alone. This is good news for us and our enemies.
4. Rescue is coming. God is working an act of restoration to bring creation back to Himself. He will make all things right. He will work all things together for good.

Questions to consider this week:

1. Do I believe that God sees my pain, even when He seems silent? What helps me remember that He cares?
2. Like Habakkuk, am I in the stage of questioning, waiting, or learning to trust God in my situation right now?
3. What is one area of my life where God is asking me to trust Him, even without answers?
4. Who in my life may be struggling with this same question? How can I show them God’s love and hope this week?

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