One of the blessings of our Christian faith is that we are permitted to approach God and ask Him questions. Author Lee Eclov has written, “I’ve worn a path in the carpet leading to the throne of grace.”[1] Many of us have approached God with our struggles, questions, and frustrations.
The prophet Habakkuk had likely worn out a path to God’s throne to ask God questions. We learn about those questions in Habakkuk 1:2-3, “How long, O Lord, will I call for help, And You will not hear? I cry out to You, ‘Violence!’ Yet You do not save. Why do You make me see iniquity, And cause me to look on wickedness? Yes, destruction and violence are before me; Strife exists and contention arises.”[2]
Habakkuk is perplexed by wickedness he sees in Judah. He wonders why God doesn’t do something about it. Based on these two verses it’s clear Habakkuk has been asking these questions for a while,[3] but he’s not getting a response. Habakkuk is frustrated and wonders what was going on.[4]
Bible teacher and author, Taylor Turkington, comments on this verse, “Habakkuk may appear brash to us as he accuses God of dallying instead of saving. But Habakkuk’s prayer wasn’t impertinent; it was like a child, scared and hurting, asking for help from a devoted parent. An intimate dialogue with a trusted God. His neighbors were pulled into forced labor. His family was taxed with little left. The Word of God was ignored, and godly worship was twisted to do whatever served the powerful.”[5]
In verses two and three we see Habakkuk pile up synonyms as he describes what was going on among the people in Judah. Habakkuk says there was “violence” (vv. 2, 3), “iniquity” (v. 3), “wickedness” (v. 3), “destruction” (v. 3), “strife” (v. 3), and “contention” (v. 3).[6] Habakkuk’s issues were with his neighbors in the city of Jerusalem, his fellow priests, and political rulers under whom he served.
Habakkuk 1:2-3 reveals the hurting heart of Habakkuk. He has not received an answer from God, he sees wickedness continue in his nation, he feels like God is distant, and he probably feels alone.
We learn from Habakkuk 1:2-3 that questions of God should occur in the context of trust of God. Throughout Scripture there are many examples of people asking God questions but not getting answers. David (Pss 13:1-4; 22:1, 11, 19-20), Asaph (Pss 74:1-2, 10-11), and the Sons of Korah (Pss 88) are just a few of the examples from the Psalms.
When we read about Habakkuk and see other examples of people asking God questions but not receiving answers it reminds us that our questions should focus on God’s work, not God’s character. We question what God does, not who God is. We can question God’s actions, but we should never question His deity. Additionally, our questions should be directed toward God. We should talk to God, not about God to others. We should complain to God, not about God to others. It’s okay to ask questions such as: “God, are you doing your job?” “God, it feels like you don’t care?” “God, I wonder if you are paying attention?” “God, are you taking a day off?” I believe we can say these things and still be respectful for who God is even if we question what He does.
We can trust God because of His character. We know God is omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful), and holy (just and perfect). Yet, the more we know Him, the more we trust Him. It is important we understand God’s silence is not a sign of His indifference or inactivity (Dan 10:12-14). In the midst of our struggles, sufferings, and problems we need to recognize the long-range plans that God has and trust that God is orchestrating these long-range plans even when they don’t make sense at the beginning.
We must remember God sees the whole picture and we cannot. It’s okay to ask Him questions, but those questions occur within a context of trust.
[1] Lee Eclov, Shepherding the Shepherd: Devotions for a Pastor’s Soul, vol. 2 (Carol Stream, IL: Christianity Today, 2023), 26
[2] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.
[3] The phrase, עַד־אָ֧נָה indicates that the wicked conduct has continued for a long time without God stopping it (Carl Friedrich Keil, The Twelve Minor Prophets, vol. 2 [Grand Rapids, MI: Wm B. Eerdmans, 1949], 56).
[4] Habakkuk has probably been trying to fix the situation. If Habakkuk had lived in today’s world he probably would have given sermons, taught classes, held seminars, conducted counseling, sang songs, wrote “letters to the editor,” and possibly conducted PR campaigns to try to get the people to return back to God from their wicked ways.
[5] Taylor Turkington, Trembling Faith: How a Distressed Prophet Helps Us Trust God in a Chaotic World (Brentwood, TN: B&H, 2023), 19–20.
[6] Charles Ryrie says “the strife and contention was between the Jewish people themselves, not with their enemies.” Ryrie Study Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2012), 1117, emphasis original.