Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 (NRSV)
Read Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 1The oracle that the prophet Habakkuk saw. Verse 2O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you "Violence!" and you will not save? Verse 3Why do you make me see wrong-doing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. Verse 4So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails. The wicked surround the righteous- therefore judgment comes forth perverted.
Chapter 2I will stand at my watchpost, and station myself on the rampart; I will keep watch to see what he will say to me, and what he will answer concerning my complaint. Verse 2Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. Verse 3For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. Verse 4Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith.
Devotion
The intimate and personal nature of this text reminds us that the prophet must have had a very sound relationship with God, for he spoke to God out of a sense of personal relationship. But what he says is more important, for he confronts God with the very basic question of injustice in his world.
He cried out about the violence and injustice around him. The situation had serious implications for his pastoral ministry, because the people he led were powerless – so powerless that even the righteous were helpless and unable serve God. Justice and law were not only perverted but were made ineffective.
Do world events so affect your faith that you are incapable of doing the right thing? Or do you follow through, knowing and doing what is the will of God?
Prayer
Dear Lord, help me to keep my eyes stayed on you, that even though injustice may surround me, I may watch and pray for your salvation. Amen.