R³ Devotional - Day 232

As I read Habakkuk, honestly, what came to my mind is that this book is a timeless treasure. I felt the author was talking of today’s world, no matter where you live and what your situation might be. Although it was written thousands of years ago, it is a book that unveils an important, deep, and surely hard conversation between God and the prophet Habakkuk. A conversation that maybe you and I have also conveyed with our Father, as we walk and grow in our faith in Him, living in this broken world.

Personally, one of the times I remember asking the Lord many questions was shortly after I had started college. My cousin and I were riding a bus to go to church, and we were mugged. It was one of the worst things I’ve ever experienced. It was the first time I saw a stranger willing to harm a loved one with a gun just for a couple of cellphones; people around us looking the other way, not wanting to risk their lives. I was seated right beside the window and felt trapped, wanting to run and yell, but not being capable of it. Thank God the guy only took the cellphones, didn’t harm us, and left the bus. As I read today’s passage, I recalled this moment; the fear and confusion I felt, and how I questioned God: “Lord we are your children, we were going to church, why does this happen?!, why nobody helped us…this is unfair…the world around us doesn’t work right, we were not doing anything wrong….”

Something way worse than what I felt that day, was what Habakkuk felt. He was not losing a simple phone as he went to church, he was being witness of way greater injustices, asking tough questions and as he talked with God, he was receiving an alarming prophecy and how He was planning to bring justice to his people. That didn’t make any sense to Habakkuk, yet at the end of this conversation, we see how he is able to gather a better understanding of who God is and his sovereignty. He closes with this truth: that God is our strength and we can rejoice in him amid trials, hardship,s and injustice.

Real: Life Principles

• God can handle our questions, don’t hesitate to talk with Him.  When we have doubts sometimes, we start asking everybody, except of reaching God since the beginning and confiding what is going on in our minds and souls. Make him the first one to know what your doubts are. Ask for wisdom (James 1:5) as you read his word and need a better understanding of what is troubling you.

• As Christians, we will have trials and experience injustice, we are in a broken world due to sin. John 16:33 reminds us:  “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Jesus has overcome this, and as believers our faith is in Him. 

Relevant: Life Applications

• As the world is broken, there is broken people due to sin: We are surrounded by people who still don’t know Jesus. Is part of our duty as Christians to share with them the gospel. How? Bringing the light of Jesus through our daily actions, the way we speak, how we react, and keep our trust in God during our afflictions. 

Ready: Life Actions

• Don’t fear to ask God whatever is in your mind and soul. Pray to him faithfully during times of doubt. 

• During trying times, surround yourself by the body of Christ. Go to church, become part of a life group. Get closer to people that daily are encouraging to follow and trust Jesus. 

• Read his word daily, we need wisdom to be able to walk in a broken world and the Bible is our perfect light. 

• If amid trouble, slow down and remember, God is our strength, and we can rejoice in Him even in hard times.