6/30/25

Habakkuk 1:6 NASB95 “For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, That fierce and impetuous people Who march throughout the earth To seize dwelling places which are not theirs.

Perhaps you wonder sometimes why it is that the evil in the world seems to go unpunished.

Perhaps you wonder sometimes why the righteous seem to suffer. Perhaps you wonder sometimes why it seems like those who seek prideful ways are allowed to prosper. Habakkuk was wondering similar things. Then God spoke. He is raising up, which means to strengthen and cause to stand firm, the evil person for His purpose. God doesn't force them to be evil, prideful, and unrighteous people, He just gives them success in their desire. We say that doesn't seem right. Why would God allow evil to be rewarded?

We must realize God sees the big picture, and He is not rewarding evil; He is allowing its use to glorify His righteousness. He expects the lost to act like the lost. However, He doesn't expect the saved to act like the lost. So He uses the evil of the lost to correct those whom He loves. Paul explains it this way. Romans 8:28 NASB95 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

He uses the evil of the evil people to bring righteous people out of evil. However, never be mistaken, God is a just God. He will never leave sin unpunished. As I said He sees the big picture. Outside of time, He sees all of time.

We see in the coming verses that Habakkuk finally understands. Habakkuk 1:11-12 NASB95.“Then they will sweep through like the wind and pass on. But they will be held guilty, They whose strength is their god.” Are You not from everlasting, O LORD, my God, my Holy One? We will not die. You, O LORD, have appointed them to judge; And You, O Rock, have established them to correct.

When we are struggling with why we see evil going unpunished we must remember these things. First, it will not go unpunished forever, and we need to pray that the one doing the evil will repent before it is too late. Second, God may be using this person and their sin, to teach or help someone else to live righteously for God. We also need to evaluate and see if that person is us. We also need to realize it could be someone we love. In all these cases we should be thankful for God's grace. Third, as followers of Christ, we should be willing to sacrifice our comfort for the salvation and spiritual growth of someone else. After all Christ did that for us and we are His followers.

So, as Habakkuk finally gets it, we need to trust God completely and live by faith.

Habakkuk 2:4 NASB95 “Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.

Praying we will live by faith trusting in the lessons of Habakkuk.

Love Bro. Scott