How long, O Lord?

Habakuk begins his oracle with the cry, “How long, LORD, have I called for help, and You do not hear? I cry out to You, ‘Violence!’ Yet You do not save” (Habakkuk 1:2 NASB 2020). Habakuk was struggling with the disparity between the way things were and the way things ought to have been. Habakuk knew that the nation of Israel was the people of God, the nation amongst which the Lord himself dwelt. However, all he saw around him was violence, disaster, destruction, devastation, strife, and contention. In fact, in the three short chapters of his prophecy, Habakuk mentions violence six times! The nation of Israel, which was to be a shining light to the nations around them, had become like every other nation, a nation full of violence and injustice. Habakuk’s plea is a plea for understanding: how could God let this happen, and when would he move to save Israel? Habakuk expresses a cry that many of us have also, at one time or another, voiced to God: “How long, O Lord?” Recently, I had the opportunity to preach through the book of Habakkuk at our church. It is a message of hope, even in times of difficulty and tribulation. You can view my sermon here. I hope it is a blessing to you.

David R Robison