Sunday, October 5, 2025
How long, O Lord, must I cry for help and you do not listen? I cry out to you, “Violence!” and you do not intervene? Why do you let me see iniquity? These lamentations, much like we find in the Psalms, could be expressed by many of us, as well as countless people around the world today; however, it was the prophet Habakkuk who pleaded with God using these words over 2,600 years ago. From Ukraine to the Middle East to countless conflicts here within our country, innocent lives are being shattered. We see leaders who exploit power, wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, systems and ordinances that seem stacked against the vulnerable and weak. Why doesn’t God intervene more clearly and expediently? Why does He allow the innocent to suffer?
Habakkuk is the only prophet who devoted his entire work to grappling with the eternal question of suffering, injustice, and the silence of God. He wrote in a time of deep moral and social decay in Judah, and in his writings, he doesn’t hide his frustration; he brings it before God. We learn from his writings that crying out to God is not a lack of faith; rather, it is an expression of faith. When we cry out to God, we have faith that He listens, cares, and is the supreme ruler of all that exists, even if His ways are hidden. God may not always disclose the reasons for suffering, but He promises that He works all things for good for those who love Him. He promises Habakkuk that judgment will come in His time. Evil will not go unpunished, if not immediately. He tells Habakkuk, “Write down the vision.” Insisting His revelation must be recorded clearly so future generations will know that He is faithful. God says, “If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late.” His timing is not our timing. While we may feel that justice is delayed, evil does not have the final word. God will act, even if His justice seems to be delayed. We must wait faithfully for His action, which will come at the perfect moment in His eternal plan. Waiting faithfully is putting our trust in God’s promises, especially when things seem bleakest.
When we pray, like Habakkuk, we should go beyond thanksgiving and petitions, allowing ourselves to express our frustrations, doubts, and hurts before the Almighty, laying our deepest pain at His feet. Faith is not a mask that pretends everything is well—it is the courage to stand before the Lord with honest hearts, saying, “Lord, I am hurting and need answers.” In that raw, sincere dialogue, our bond with God deepens, for He welcomes not only our praises but also our questions and grievances. Let us also remember that faith requires patience and trust in His timing. In the midst of illness, broken relationships, or grief, let us hold fast to this truth: God has not forgotten us, even when His plan lies concealed. Let this confidence steady our hearts and lift our spirits, knowing the Lord’s love never fails. Let our prayer be an actual conversation, where every sorrow and every wonder finds a listening ear in the compassionate and just God who loves us beyond measure. As we grapple with unanswered prayers and the reality of evil, let us recall that God calls us to patience, hope, and trust in His promises.
Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord.