Lessons from a Robin

When Habakkuk observed what was going on around him in Israel, he saw a lot of people taking advantage of others and getting away with it. He wondered why God didn’t seem to take notice of this or do anything to stop it. God replied to Habakkuk’s prayer with the assurance that He had seen and would send the Chaldeans (also called Babylonians), a mighty enemy nation that worshipped other gods, to defeat Israel as a result of their sin.

Habakkuk then asked how God, who is holy and righteous, could permit a country that was even more wicked to defeat them. God answered that the Chaldeans’ actions would catch up to them. The things they had plundered would be plundered from them. Those who had taken advantage of others would be taken advantage of. Those who had been violent would suffer violence. After hearing God’s answer, Habakkuk trembled and asked God to also show mercy (Habakkuk 3:2). Habakkuk wrote a song about God’s power, as well as the coming salvation God would offer through Jesus many years later.

Jesus, the Son of God, came to break the cycle of sin and death. When He gave Himself over to be killed on a cross, He took the punishment for all the sins of the world, even though He Himself never sinned. When He rose from the dead, He defeated sin and death once and for all. And He made a way for everyone who trusts in Him to be forgiven by God. Now, we as Christians have the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live in a way that is just and merciful, as God is just and merciful.

Today, in the news and in daily life, there is so much injustice and violence. Remember that God is in control, and God also has a body: Jesus is fully man and fully God. God grieves with us…hurts with us…is with us in the midst of violence. He is with us in His life-giving Word that gives us strength and hope, and He is with us through His Spirit. We can trust Him to uphold righteousness in the end, and we can thank Him for showing mercy. • Karen Niewoehner

• Have you seen or experienced an unjust situation recently?

• Why do you think God sometimes allows injustice for a while?

• Take a moment to pray about an injustice that stirs your heart, knowing God cares and He and wants to answer our prayers for His kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).

How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!†I cry, but you do not come to save. Habakkuk 1:2 (NLT)

Read Verses:

Psalm 91; Matthew 6:26; Acts 16:22-25; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18