Habakkuk 1:5, “The LORD replied, “Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.”
Habakkuk is a book in the Old Testament that has a theme of struggle and doubt, of God’s sovereign character, and our hope. During this time, there was persecution, fear, oppression, immorality, and lawlessness. Justice had seemed to disappear from the land. Habakkuk, who was a prophet, couldn’t understand why God seemed to do nothing about all the evil and moral wrongdoings. There had been a revival a few years previously under King Josiah. However, it did not affect the people on a deep level. “Habakkuk knew what it was like to live during a time of revival, and then to see God’s people and the nation slip into lethargy and sin.” Blue Letter Bible, David Guzik Commentary. Habakkuk had valid questions for God, asking why He didn’t do anything about it and was delaying judgment (Hab. 1:2-4). I see we have the same questions today in our time.
So why do you think God allows us to see immoral or grossly unfair behavior in others, as Habakkuk saw? One reason is for what we are warned in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” But by the grace of God go I, saying comes to mind. The other reason is for God to use us to share the gospel and seek others’ salvation. We need to persevere in our faith and make it a way of life.
God answers Habakkuk in verse 5. The purpose is to show how God is in complete control of the world, even when it seems that evil is triumphing; therefore, there is hope. God’s thoughts are higher than ours, and His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8). God told Habakkuk that He would be astounded at what God would do. Don’t we wonder if God has forgotten us when we feel cornered and about to suffocate in a challenging situation, especially if it is unjust and out of our control? That is the point. God is sovereign, so He is in control, and He is just. That should give us hope.
God told the people in Jerusalem that they would be astonished and see some unbelievable events transpire. “God told Habakkuk that He was not indifferent to Judah’s sin; but rather than revival, he was sending the “dreaded and fearsome” judgment (v. 7). John MacArthur. God allowed their sinful desire to conquer Judah. If God had not allowed it, they would not have been able to conquer Judah and exile God’s people out of the Promised Land. This was the work God did, which He told Habakkuk, “For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you.” Then Egypt, which had been a world power, was crushed almost overnight.
Dear friend, wait on God’s timing. Don’t accuse God of being indifferent because He is not. Christ calls us to endure in our faith. God controls human history, forgives sin, and gives lasting peace to all that have accepted Christ as their Savior. Be ready for Christ’s return. “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:12-13. This is our answer and gives us hope despite any circumstances. Be ready to be amazed! God is doing something you wouldn’t believe even in our day!
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