Trusting in God, no matter what...

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Ever wonder why the wicked prosper? Ever wonder why people who have no love for God or no regard for Christ seem to succeed in life, while other people who dedicate their lives to God struggle in all kinds of ways? I have wondered that many times in life and it sounds like the Old Testament prophet, Habakkuk, wondered the same.

Habakkuk lived at a time when the nation of Babylon was rising to power and God had told the prophets that the Israelites would be taken captive by them. While Habakkuk believed God and knew that his words were true, he struggled with how such an evil empire could be allowed to “win”. He said,

“O, Lord, you have appointed them to execute judgement...Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?“

God’s answer is clear. Anyone who focuses on living according to his own desires, not God’s, will ultimately fail. The world teaches us quite a different thing. We are to ”go for it“ and make our mark on the world. We are to strive to achieve success in life by setting lofty goals and achieving them through education, action, initiative and self-promotion. But God says that perspective is backward. We need to ”seek Him first“ and everything else will come afterward. That’s right, the path to peace is trust in God with all that we have.

Habukkuk responded obediently to God’s answer:

Though the fig tree does not bud

and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails

and the fields produce no food

though there are no sheep in the pen

and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord

I will be joyful in God my Savior

The Sovereign Lord is my strength

he makes my feet like the feet of a deer

he enables me to go on the heights.

Today, we would put his sentiment this way, ”even if I have no money, even if I lose my job, even if my efforts fail, even if I lose my home, I will still ”rejoice“ and ”be joyful“ in God, because He alone is what gives me strength and enables me to be successful.” Wow! What an incredible and challenging perspective! But one that speaks real truth for our lives.

I know so many people who are struggling in life trying to find happiness in worldly success, or being envious of those who have it. I, too, often find myself looking for something that will give me that extra income, that bigger house, that financial security. But God told Habukkuk and His word is clear for us as well...joy and peace does not come from worldly success. Although it feels good for a time, anyone who has experienced it will tell you that it is only a temporary fix. Only a life filled with God can bring the fulfillment, joy and peace we so desperately seek ... no matter what.