If you think the above is a Minor Prophet you might be a Redneck…

I kid but it’s kind of funny. For most people wanting to read the book of Habakkuk means first hearing there is a book called Habakkuk and then getting directions so lets start there. Open your Bibles to something familiar lets say Psalms. Now grab about 1/4 of your Bible and flip that to the left. If you hit Matthew you went too far, Micah then go a little further.

Understand I am being funny not condescending. I have to look it up every time myself.

The little book of Habakkuk is pretty awesome and being only 3 chapters long takes about 5-10 minutes to read. I mean you can actually read Habakkuk faster than it took me to write this post. There are a few things you will read in Habakkuk that will make you think and most famous is 2:4b “The just shall live by faith” which Paul talks about in Galatians. There is also some other stuff like 2:3, and 2:15-16, & 3:18. All great but that is not what I want to talk about.

I want to talk about asking God “what’s up.” I mean that kind of how can this be, what is going on, are you even there what’s up prayer. Not in a irreverent way but in an honest to goodness I don’t understand kind of way. I think it is OK to pray those prayers. I think it is OK to go to God and say “I don’t get it, why?” if you are really looking for an answer. I am not saying you will get the answer you want but it is OK to ask.

That is what Habakkuk is really all about. He starts off the little book by praying an “I don’t get it” prayer. He is saying “God look around everything is falling apart, how can you let this happen, don’t you care? (verse 1)” It was a very real question and concern to him. He was not disrespectful he was hurting. I’ve been there. Have you?

If you are or have then you know you feel wrong about asking God to let you in on the plan. To give you a little insight as to why and what’s going on. You know He knows but you feel like you are not suppose to ask. Well I am here to tell you along with Habakkuk that you can ask. Ask away my friend. Ask all night, just do it humbly and listen for an answer.

That is exactly what he did and look at the difference between the beginning of the book and the end. He starts off with “why this and why that, don’t you care”, and ends with “God is good, and I will rejoice in Him.” But don’t think he did this because God changed the situation. Habakkuk was pre-exile. That means they were about to be carried off into captivity and their lands taken from them. That is a bad deal. So don’t think he started praising God because of blessing. No instead he praised God because he encountered God and realized God is worthy to be praised.

You and I are no different. I struggle. I am struggling through some things right now, but when I go to God with it I feel better about it because I know Jesus has it. I don’t worry about it so much because I know that Jesus loves me and that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him. I know I love God and He has called me to His purpose so I can rest in that. That does not mean I don’t keep going back to Him for more rest though.

That is a side thought but understand sometimes you need to go back to God and get some more rest. Did you sleep last night? Will you sleep again tonight? Has anyone ever told you that you need to stop sleeping and just embrace the sleep you have already gotten? No of course not that is foolish. The same thing applies with God. When I go to Him to get rest I get rest, but I go back and get more rest, and then more rest, and more rest. Because I get weak and need a Savior.

Anyway talk to God.Tell him your woes. Just His presence is enough to make us feel better. He is your Father and talking to Him will ease your troubled mind.

Just a thought,

Mike