How long, Lord, must I call for help and You do not listen or cry out to You about violence and You do not save? Why do You force me to look at injustice? Why do You tolerate wrongdoing? Oppression and violence are right in front of me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict escalates. Habakkuk 1:2-3 HCSB
Yesterday, April 19, 2015 we recognized the 20^th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing that killed 168 people. It reminds us of the tragedy that took place on September 11, 2001 when over 3,000 people were killed in the attack on the Twin Towers in New York City. The news today reports that ISIS has killed more Christians in the Middle East because of their belief in Jesus Christ. All that one has to do is look around at the violence, injustice, strife, and oppression in the world to recognize that today is just as bad if not worse than in Habakkuk’s time.
The book of Habakkuk records a dialogue between God and the prophet Habakkuk. Most prophets brought a message from God, but in this book Habakkuk took the message of the people to God. Habakkuk questioned why God seemed to be indifferent towards the evil and injustice in the world. The people of Israel were being persecuted and many of God’s children had turned away from God and His laws. Habakkuk questioned why evil seemed to go unpunished.
Challenge: It seems there is more and more evil each year. We may question where God is and why He allows evil. God has given us freedom of choice. The more we choose to disobey Him, the more evil comes into the world. Pray that God will help you to make wise choices and that He will reduce the evil in our world.