How Long Lord?
“O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you ‘Violence!’ and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted. ” Habakkuk 1:2-4
In the above Scripture, Prophet Habakkuk expressed sentiments that we are all very familiar with – “Lord, it has been too long…!”
In his day, the destruction of the Northern Kingdom of Israel had already taken place. And in just a few years the Babylonian invasion and the destruction of the Temple would follow. So witnessing the wickedness of his own people in their generation Habbakuk agonizes, “How long O Lord? Evil abounds! Where is your righteous judgment?”
And here is God’s response to Habbakuk: “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.” Habakkuk 1:5
God is doing something!
Remember Joseph, he too must have wondered, ‘Lord, how long?
“Joseph was sold as a slave. They afflicted his feet with fetters, he himself was laid in irons, until the time of his word came to pass” Psalm 105:18-19.
“The end of a matter is better than its beginning. Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit; Ecclesiastes 7:8.
He has made everything beautiful in its time”; Ecclesiastes 3:11.
Things may look bleak and evil may be rampant, yet, do not despair, for God is doing a work. He is not surprised by what is happening. He is not panicking or trying to figure out what to do next. He has a purpose and a plan and has been preparing it from the beginning of time. And in the end it will be perfection. Amen.