When Evil Seems To Rule The Day

Have you sometimes wondered how long God will allow the ungodly to prosper while the godly suffer? Have you ever looked around and wondered why God doesn’t do something about all the evil in our world? The prophet Habakkuk, who prophesied during the final days of the Assyrian Empire, could relate! Habakkuk had two basic questions for God.

First, he wanted to know, How long? “O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?” (Habakkuk 1:2). Ever found yourself there? You’ve called out to God for help and yet it did not appear He was listening to you. Ever found yourself praying that God would end the violence of our day, yet to no avail?

Second, Habakkuk wanted to know, Why? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise…why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he? (Habakkuk 1:3, 13). Habakkuk wanted to know why his people must suffer injustice and wrongdoing. In his day, justice had essentially disappeared from Judah causing violence and wickedness to reign unchecked. They were dark days!

Habakkuk witnessed corruption and wrong doing. Manasseh, Amon, and Jehoikim were corrupt leaders. For example, during Jehoikim’s reign, the land was poor, yet Jehoikim delighted himself in extravagance, building majestic palaces, and enhancing towns by way of forced labor (Jeremiah 22:13–18; Habakkuk 2:9–17). We too are living in a nation where corruption is prevalent at all levels and where wrong doing is often shamefully ignored. Habakkuk also witnessed the oppression of his people under Jehoikim. The same is true in our nation. No doubt religious freedom is being oppressed. For example, the Ten Commandments, along with crosses, are being removed from the public square as well as state and federal government-owned land. Free speech is even being oppressed by some. Habakkuk also witnessed violence in his day. In our day, news stories are filled with abductions, murder, rape, and robbery. The recent shooting rampage at the Century 16 theater in Aurora, Colorado, is one clear example of the violence of our day. In addition, Habakkuk witnessed conflict among his people. Today, there is conflict wherever we turn, whether in government, politics, public debate, the work place, or in the home. Sadly, many churches are filled with conflict. Habakkuk wanted to know how long and why? Two fitting questions for our day, don’t you think?
What was the result of all this? First, the people were indifferent towards the law. So the law is paralyzed (Habakkuk 1:4). The people of Judah became numb to the Law of God. The same is true in our day. As a nation, we condone what God’s Word condemns. God’s Word teaches justice, integrity, and honesty, and yet we see just the opposite in all levels of society. Second, there was a perversion of justice. ...and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted (Habakkuk 1:4). Do we not see this in our day? As a result, perpetrators often become victims. The third result was not what Habakkuk was expecting: impending judgment (Habakkuk 1:5-17). In short, God was going to bring judgment on the nation of Judah. Habakkuk knew that his people had sinned and deserved God’s judgment but he wrestled with God’s answer.

As we look at Habakkuk’s response to what was happening in his day we learn what we can do when evil seems to rule the day.

1. Get honest with God. Habakkuk came with questions, sharing the concerns of his heart (Habakkuk 1:2-13). It is okay to wrestle and pose questions to God when we are genuinely seeking answers to life’s problems. When we wrestle with the issues of our day the best One to turn to is God. Habakkuk looked around but then he turned to God!

2. Trust the character of God. Habakkuk, speaking to God, says, Are you not from everlasting, O my God, my Holy One? (Habakkuk 1:12). God is holy. We can trust His character. He will act in His time.

3. Take time to hear from God. Notice what Habakkuk did: I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint (Habakkuk 2:1). Once we share our concerns with God we must take time to hear from Him.

Perhaps you’re experiencing first hand some of what Habakkuk witnessed—you may be a victim or even a perpetrator. Maybe you, like Habakkuk have questions. If so, get honest with God, trust His character, and take time to listen to Him.

Would You Rather…

Recently while having devotions with my two youngest girls, Sarah asked: “Daddy, would you rather be beaten, go to jail, or be killed for Jesus?” Wow! I must admit I was a little taken back by such a question from my 7 year old. I replied, “Well, I’m not sure,” and then went on to talk with her and Emily about the three options.

Here are some of my reflections on Sarah’s question, which I have pondered a lot since she posed it. When I think of being beaten for Jesus, my mind immediately turns to Jesus’ flogging (John 19:1). Flogging was a brutal beating. A short whip, with iron balls or sharp pieces of sheep bones tied on to leather thongs, was the instrument used for flogging. Flogging was intended to weaken the victim to a state just short of collapse or death. Dr. William Edwards of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, writes, “The severe scourging, with its intense pain and appreciable blood loss, most probably left Jesus in a pre-shock state.” ¹ Would I rather be beaten for Jesus?

I then think about imprisonment. As I reflect on Scripture I’m reminded of Peter and John who were imprisoned on more than one occasion (Acts 4:3; 5:18; 12:4). Paul and Silas were in prison together (Acts 16:23). Paul went on to spend much time in prison and even ministered while a prisoner (Eph. 3:1; Col. 4:10; 2 Tim. 1:8; Philemon 1, 9, 23). Would I rather be imprisoned for Jesus?

The third option is death. As I have reflected on this option, I thought of Stephen, who was martyred for his faith (Acts 7:59-8:2). I thought of the apostles who died for their faith: Peter, Andrew, James (son of Alphaeus), Philip, Simon, and Bartholomew were all crucified; Matthew and James (son of Zebedee) died by the sword; Thaddeus was killed by arrows; Thomas was thrust with a spear; and, James (the brother of Jesus) was stoned to death. In Hebrews 11, commonly called the Hall of Faith, we read these words in verses 36-37, “others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword.” Would I rather die for Jesus?

Through the centuries, countless believers have been beaten, imprisoned, and even martyred for their faith. German pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, was executed for his faith in April of 1945, after living in a concentration camp at Flossenburg. His letters were smuggled out of prison by some German guards. In one letter, he provides some great insight: “I believe that God will give us all the strength we need to help us to resist in all time of distress. But He never gives it in advance, lest we should rely on ourselves and not on Him alone. A faith such as this should allay all our fears for the future.” ² Would I rather be beaten, go to prison, or be killed for Jesus? No doubt, it is a question we should contemplate. As for me, I trust the sovereignty of God. I trust His plan for my life. And if He should call me to suffer in some form for His sake, then I know that He will give me the strength and grace to see me through just as He has done time and time again for all those who have been persecuted, and who are even now being persecuted, for their faith.

One last thought…Sarah’s question has also caused me to remember our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who are being persecuted for their faith. You can learn more about the persecuted church here, where you can also request a free copy of the book, Tortured For Christ. I hope the music video by This Hope will challenge you as you consider the life of one who was imprisoned for his faith.

Break My Plans by This Hope

¹ Learn more here.
²  Letters and Papers from Prison, ed. Eberhand Bethge (New York, NY: Macmillan Co., 1972), p. 11.