Day 36 - 40 Days in the Old Testament
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Old Testament
Day 36 | WHY DOES EVIL SEEM TO GO UNPUNISHED?
40 Days in the Old Testament
Day 36 | WHY DOES EVIL SEEM TO GO UNPUNISHED?
WHY DOES EVIL SEEM TO GO UNPUNISHED?
Habakkuk 1:2; 1:5; 3:17-18
“How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! ‘Violence is everywhere!’ I cry, but you do not come to save.”
“The Lord replied, ‘Look around at the nations; look and be amazed!
For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.’”
“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” (NLT)
Have you ever felt like the prophet Habakkuk? You see problems and evil everywhere, have prayed and prayed and then … nothing.
Have you ever wondered where God was? Why didn’t He do something?
I’m sure God’s people have asked this since the beginning. I’m sure our LORD has heard that question millions of times over. But – and this is important – God promises to bring justice, but His timing is not the same as ours. God’s answers to Habakkuk, who was asking the same question in his day, can be instructive to us in OUR day. Remember, God does NOT tolerate evil, though sometimes it appears He is allowing evil to exist and prosper.
Note the progression of the verses for this devotional.
We are impatient. We expect God to work on our timetable. But never forget, the LORD – Yahweh – is sovereign and in charge. He answers to no one, but always keeps His Word. Trust Him and rejoice that you are one of His children.
Prayer: LORD, thank You for all You do. I admit I do not know everything, but You do, so I am trusting in You. Amen.
Habakkuk 1:2; 1:5; 3:17-18
“How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! ‘Violence is everywhere!’ I cry, but you do not come to save.”
“The Lord replied, ‘Look around at the nations; look and be amazed!
For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.’”
“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” (NLT)
Have you ever felt like the prophet Habakkuk? You see problems and evil everywhere, have prayed and prayed and then … nothing.
Have you ever wondered where God was? Why didn’t He do something?
I’m sure God’s people have asked this since the beginning. I’m sure our LORD has heard that question millions of times over. But – and this is important – God promises to bring justice, but His timing is not the same as ours. God’s answers to Habakkuk, who was asking the same question in his day, can be instructive to us in OUR day. Remember, God does NOT tolerate evil, though sometimes it appears He is allowing evil to exist and prosper.
Note the progression of the verses for this devotional.
- Habakkuk 1:2 – Habakkuk’s first complaint to God: “Why does evil go unpunished?”
- Habakkuk 1:5 – God answers: “I am working, look around and be amazed!”
- Habakkuk 3:18 -- “I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!”
We are impatient. We expect God to work on our timetable. But never forget, the LORD – Yahweh – is sovereign and in charge. He answers to no one, but always keeps His Word. Trust Him and rejoice that you are one of His children.
Prayer: LORD, thank You for all You do. I admit I do not know everything, but You do, so I am trusting in You. Amen.