Complaint: God, How Come People Get Away with Evil?
Habakkuk’s first complaint to God was actually pretty simple. The Israelites in his day were in a period of long spiritual decline. As a result, people neglected God in growing numbers, which caused great concern for people like Habakkuk.
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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)
Habakkuk lived in a world where people were ignoring God and his commands (Habakkuk 1:4). He wondered why God allowed all this evil to go unpunished. We have a sense of what this is like because we live in a world that increasingly approves what the Bible condemns. However, these weren’t pagans who were doing these things. They were God’s people. This first complaint can be a strong warning to Christians who are ignoring God with the way they live their lives. As Christians, we have to take a look at our own relationship with God. If we are not diligent to keep pursuing God, then we will drift away from him. Let’s look at God’s answer to Habakkuk.
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Answer: I’m God. I Have Things Under Control.
God graciously responds to Habakkuk’s complaint and reveals to all of us that God is still a judge, under whom nothing escapes his notice. God is not like a human judgebut is an impartial judge who upholds justice in every instance. God, as judge, has a plan for dealing with his people.
Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.
–Habakkuk 1:5(NLT)
God is going to raise up the cruel Babylonians (Habakkuk 1:6) in order to deal with Israel. God’s judgment against Judah shocks everyone, including Habakkuk. God will deal with sin. In the next lesson, we will deal with Habakkuk’s response to God. First, let’s look at the lessons we can already gain from this portion of the book.
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Don’t Misunderstand God’s Patience
We have to be careful not to think that we are getting away with our sins. For example, if we sin and God doesn’t zap us from the sky with lightning, it doesn’t mean he approves. This is because of God’s patience and kindness toward us.
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”
–Romans 2:4(NLT)
God delays his judgment toward us because he wants us to turn to him (2 Peter 3:8-9). This is what the Bible calls repentance, turning to God with your heart and attitude. That is why God delays in judging our sin: so we can repent.
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Get Ready for God’s Judgement
In Habakkuk, we find that God’s judgment was delayed, but it was still coming. The same is true for us. God warns us today about what will happen if we keep turning away from God.
But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
–Romans 2:5(NLT)
God’s judgment is coming on those who don’t trust in Him. Now is the time for you to come to God in faith, knowing that he stands ready to forgive and restore you.
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For more articles like this one, check out Micheal’s website ordinaryfaith.net.
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Micheal Maynard has been an Organizational Pioneer for more than 25 years and the Lead Pastor of Ordinary Faith for the last eight years. His deep belief that FAITH is for everyday life fuels a passion for empowering people to truly LIVE their lives and not just survive until they die.
Micheal has been “extremely” married for 28 years to his wife. He has been blessed with eight boys. His wife is obviously a superhero. His youngest son has Trisomy 21, which brings a perspective on life that only an extra chromosome can provide.
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As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in religious studies, particularly focused on the intersection of faith and contemporary issues, I'd like to delve into the concepts presented in the article you shared titled "Complaint: God, How Come People Get Away with Evil?" The author, Micheal Maynard, addresses a biblical perspective on the problem of evil and God's response to it through the lens of the book of Habakkuk.
1. Habakkuk's Complaint: Habakkuk's initial complaint revolves around the moral decay of the Israelites during a period of spiritual decline. The people are neglecting God and His commands, leading to a rise in violence and wrongdoing. This scenario raises a timeless theological question: why does God allow evil to go unpunished, especially among His own people?
Relevance to Today: Maynard draws a parallel between the ancient Israelites and contemporary Christians, emphasizing the need for believers to reflect on their relationship with God. This serves as a cautionary message for those who may be neglecting their spiritual pursuits.
2. God's Response: God responds to Habakkuk by asserting His role as an impartial judge with everything under control. God's plan involves raising up the Babylonians to address the sin within Israel. This divine intervention shocks Habakkuk and underscores God's commitment to justice.
Relevance to Today: The article encourages readers to recognize that God's ways are not always understood immediately. God's judgment may come in unexpected forms, as seen in the case of the Babylonians in Habakkuk's time.
3. Understanding God's Patience: Maynard cautions against misinterpreting God's patience as approval of sinful behavior. Quoting Romans 2:4, the article stresses that God's kindness is intended to lead people to repentance.
Relevance to Today: This concept challenges the misconception that lack of immediate consequences implies divine endorsem*nt. God's patience is portrayed as an opportunity for individuals to turn away from sin through repentance.
4. Getting Ready for God’s Judgment: The article emphasizes the inevitability of God's judgment, even if delayed. The warning is rooted in the biblical idea that storing up sin without repentance leads to severe consequences.
Relevance to Today: The urgency of turning towards God is highlighted, as the article suggests that delaying repentance accumulates a "terrible punishment." This aligns with the biblical principle that a day of righteous judgment is inevitable.
In conclusion, the article weaves together biblical narratives, theological reflections, and practical applications to address the perennial question of evil in the context of a faith-driven life. It serves as a thought-provoking guide for individuals navigating the complexities of their relationship with God in the face of moral challenges.
