How Long, Oh Lord?

How Long, O Lord?

Habakkuk 1:1–11 NIV 

1. GOD’S INACTION TO ISRAEL’S INJUSTICE WAS .

            Hab 1:2-4 How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore, the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted. 

2.  TO ACCOMPLISH HIS JUST PURPOSES.

            Hab 1:5 “Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. 

3. GOD PREPARED  FOR ISRAEL.

            Hab 1:6-7, 11 I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwellings not their own. They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor. 11 Then they sweep past like the wind and go on— guilty people, whose own strength is their god.” 

APPLICATION & CHALLENGE: 

1. WHEN INJUSTICE ABOUNDS, TRUST THAT .

            Romans 9:22–23 NLT In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory. 

2. WHEN HEAVEN IS SILENT, TRUST THAT .

            1 John 5:14–15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 

3. DON’T BE SURPRISED WHEN GOD ANSWERS YOU .

            Romans 11:33–36 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. 

4. THE GOSPEL IS . TAKE CARE TO RESPOND.

            Acts 13:38–41 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: “‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’”