Be Still Devotional: Day 33

Devotion for Wednesday March 26
Jason Bergstrom | Communications Associate

Scripture
Habakkuk 2:3
For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Devotional Thought
The prophet Habakkuk isn’t one of the first people in Scripture we think of. How often do we fly past his two-page book? In fact, Scripture never names him outside of it! But popularity doesn’t equal effectiveness because Habakkuk 2:4 is quoted by Paul twice (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11) and by the writer of Hebrews (v. 10:38), who includes today’s verse also. It is from Habakkuk, however, that we can embrace one of the most important characteristics about God, especially today.

Habakkuk is writing during a time of destruction and violence (v. 1:3). He complains to God that justice and the law feel “paralyzed” (v. 1:4). God responds by saying that He’s judging Judah by raising up the Babylonians (v. 1:6), which makes Habakkuk even more concerned, prompting him to ask God why He’s silent and instead tolerant of the wicked (v. 1:13) rather than His people. Habakkuk’s distress at this point, as John MacArthur writes, “is no longer God’s righteous response toward evil (or lack thereof), but the vindication of God’s character and covenant with His people.” In essence, why would God not be good to His people?

God responds to Habakkuk with the crux of verse 4, “the righteous shall live by his faith.” Faith in what? Today’s verse spells it out: God’s plan and timing. You see, God sees the fullness of time like it’s a painting already completed. He knows what hardships today will lead to answers tomorrow. Those answers can seem slow coming to our human souls. But isn’t God trustworthy? While we can’t see anything beyond today, we are called to have faith and wait on His plan. God says it will “surely come; it will not delay.” We can trust God at His word, that our today and future are in His plan.

Reflection Questions

• We often become frustrated when things are out of our control. Is there something or even a disbelief that you need to let go of and trust God with?
• Is there anything that feels like you’re forcing to make happen on your terms? How can you do what you can but then wait and trust on God with the result?

Suggested prayer/action step
God, You have always proven trustworthy in my life. Thank You for Your goodness to see even me in this world and to know me so intimately. Help me trust You when I can’t see the ending, knowing that Your answers, though they seem to linger, surely come.