Wrestling with God
When Life Seems Unfair
INTRODUCTION
Thereis always inequality in life. Some men are killed in a war and some men are wounded and some men never leave the country.Life is unfair. John F. Kennedy
Do you ever feel like life is unfair? I believe most of us feel this way, from time to time, yet we are reluctant to express it. To express this sentiment seems rather self-centered and a little egotistical. When someone is bold enough todeclare that life is unfair, there is always someone there to accuse them of being a whiner and a complainer.
Habakkuk believed that life was unfair, and he was not afraid to say it. Even though Judah, under the leadership of king Jehoiakim, was unjust and corrupt, being chastised by the Babylonians was too much for Habakkuk. He boldly went to God and told Him that he thought He was being unfair.
Habakkuk’s contemporary, Jeremiah, echoed the feelings of Habakkuk.
You are always righteous, O Lord,when I bring a case before you.Yet I would speak with you about your justice:Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? You have planted them, and they have taken root;they grow and bear fruit.You are always on their lipsbut far from their hearts.
Yet you know me, O Lord;you see me and test my thoughts about you.Drag them off like sheep to be butchered!Set them apart for the day of slaughter!
How long will the land lie parchedand the grass in every field be withered?Because those who live in it are wicked,the animals and birds have perished.Moreover, the people are saying,"He will not see what happens to us."Jeremiah 12:1-4
The book of Habakkuk speaks to where we live today. It seems like the wicked prosper, while the righteous struggle. With Jeremiah we cry out to God, “Why should the righteous suffer for the sins of the wicked?”
Underlying the book of Habakkuk is the unwavering truth that we can trust God no matter what our circumstances might look like. The question is, will we trust Him?
Study 1: Habakkuk 1:12-13
In the first half of chapter 1, Habakkuk complains to God about the injustice in Judah. God responds by informing Habakkuk that He is sending the Babylonians to punish Judah. Now Habakkuk is faced with another dilemma; how can a Holy God allow the godless Babylonians to run roughshod over Judah?
1. In verse 12, Habakkuk begins his complaint by affirming the character of God.
a. What qualities of God’s character does Habakkuk point to?
b. How does Habakkuk call on his relationship with God?
c. What do you think Habakkuk means when he declares, “we will not die”?
d. How does Habakkuk affirm God’s sovereignty in this verse?
2.In verse 13, Habakkuk takes God to task.
a. How does Habakkuk frame his complaint?
b. How would you describe Habakkuk’s emotional state?
c. How does Habakkuk compare Judah to the Babylonians? What is wrong with this comparison?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1.Take some time to list as many of God’s character qualities as you can.
2. How can reflecting on God’s character help us face challenging times?
3. Habakkuk called God, “my God, my Holy One”. What does this say about his relationship with God?
4. How would you characterize your relationship with God?
5. What things do you see in your world that seem to be out of character for God? Talk to God about these things.
6. Spend some time reflecting on 1 Peter 2:9-17. How do these verses inform how we should live in our world?
Study 2: Habakkuk 1:14-17
Habakkuk turned up the heat on God. He described what he saw in graphic terms, challenging God to respond.
1. How does Habakkuk describe the people in verse 14?
a. What does this say about their situation?
b. What is Habakkuk implying about their action?
2. Habakkuk turns from the people to Babylon.
a. How does he describe the actions of the Babylonians?
b. What is implied about the situation of the people in the face of the Babylonian onslaught?
c. In what ways does the image of a dragnet speak about the indiscriminant nature of the Babylonians’ actions?
3. How does Habakkuk describe the Babylonians response to their amazing success?
4. What is Habakkuk’s final complaint against God in verse 17?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1. When you think of people in general today, how would you describe them?
2. Why do you think Satan so easily fools people today?
3. How did Jesus view the common people of His day? Look at Matthew 9:36. How should this inform the way we view the people around us?
4. What are some of the nets that Satan uses today to capture people? How have people made these nets into gods?
5. How can we be confident that Satan and the evil in our world will not go on unchecked forever? Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10
Study 3: Habakkuk 2:1
Habakkuk concluded his complaint to God, then waited for God to answer.
1. How does Habakkuk describe his position?
2. Why do you think Habakkuk used military terms to describe his determination?
3. What is Habakkuk’s purpose in standing watch?
4. Why does Habakkuk say that he will “see” what God has to “say,” rather than hear?
5. The last half of verse 1 puts the focus back on Habakkuk. What is he saying in this half of the verse?
6. How does the last half of verse 1 show Habakkuk’s commitment to God?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1. How well do you do at waiting? What kind of emotions do you experience when you have to wait for something important or significant?
2. Given the words of Habakkuk, what does it mean for us to wait for the Lord? Is waiting purely passive or is there an active component to waiting for the Lord?
3. Why is it important for us to learn to wait on the Lord?
4. When God does speak into our situation, what needs to happen next?
5. For what are you waiting on the Lord now? How might God be using this time to shape you as a person? Reflect on Psalm 5, 27, & 37.
Study 4: Hebrews 11:32-12:6
Hebrews 11 is known as God’s Hall of Faith. Throughout this chapter, the author highlights some of the heroes of our faith. The end of the chapter is a general summary that dovetails with the message of Habakkuk.
1. Read Hebrews 11:32-40
a. How does the author describe the situation of these mostly unnamed heroes of the faith?
b. What qualities do these heroes demonstrate through their suffering?
c. What general statement does the author make about these people in verse 38?
d. What does the author say about these heroes in verse 39?
e. How does the author connect these heroes with us?
2. Read Hebrews 12:1-3
a. What is the point of learning about our spiritual heroes?
b. Based on their example, how should we face the challenges of our lives?
3. Read Hebrews 12:4-6
a. What wrong attitude to the author addressing in verse 4?
b. As we face the challenges of life, what should we keep in mind?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1.Who are your favorite spiritual heroes from the Bible? Why do you look up to these figures?
2. Who are some of your non-biblical spiritual heroes? Why do you look up to these people?
3. How do the trials of the heroes in Hebrews 11 compare to the trials you have to face?
4. What lessons can we learn from these heroes of the faith about trusting God in the face of trials?
5. Because we live in a very individualistic society, we tend to see our faith in individualistic terms. In what ways does Hebrews 11:39-40challenge our way of thinking?
6. What does it mean for you to run your race with perseverance?
7. What can you do practically to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus?
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