Do You Not Listen?

DO YOU NOT LISTEN?

a prayer to open

In the midst of the pain in the world, Lord, I cry out to you.

When darkness overwhelms and the light has faded,

lead me in the way of hope, and grant me eyes to see your goodness.

This is the message that the prophet Habakkuk received in a vision.

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.

Must I forever see these evil deeds?

Why must I watch all this misery?

Wherever I look,

I see destruction and violence.

I am surrounded by people

who love to argue and fight.

The law has become paralyzed,

and there is no justice in the courts.

The wicked far outnumber the righteous,

so that justice has become perverted.

It is no stretch to feel the pain of Habakkuk’s complaint about violence and conflict in his world. Ours is rife with the same things that made him cry out to God. But something—someone—has happened since Habakkuk’s time: Jesus! The Kingdom of God has arrived, albeit not fully. We see evidence of the Kingdom that Habakkuk could not have seen. Jesus—the long-awaited, anticipated Messiah and King—has overcome sin and death and now reigns. So although certain things in this world may look similar, a coup has occurred and all things are being made new. We might not always have eyes to see what God is doing, but we can follow Habakkuk’s lead: “I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:18, NIV).

• As you read today’s lament, what violent situation or injustice in the world came to mind? Pray the words as your own.
• As you consider more closely whatever violent situation or injustice came to mind for you as you read, where do you see evidence that God’s Kingdom is breaking in and that love is more powerful than evil?
• How is God calling you to participate in what he’s doing to restore and redeem this world even as violence and injustice persist?

God, we are calling out to you! Let us see your glory, love, and saving arm. Do not allow the destruction and wrongdoing of the wicked to overtake the world. Let us see your goodness! Come, Lord Jesus.