Perplexities will arise. Habakkuk was perplexed by the age-long issue of why evil people seem to have the ascendency and innocent people seem to suffer. He lived at a time when the Assyrians had taken away the northern kingdom of Israel. Habakkuk sees plundering and violence before him. The wicked surrounded the righteous. Perverse judgment was rampant.

Habakkuk was perplexed. He asks the Lord “How long shall I cry and you will not hear?” He also asks why the Lord shows him iniquity and causes him to see all the troubles that exist. Habakkuk is no different to the psalmist and Jeremiah who asked similar questions. We are no different to Habakkuk because when we are perplexed we ask “Why?”

The Lord replies to Habakkuk in a startling way. He tells the prophet that things are going to get worse. The Lord is raising up the Chaldeans, a bitter and hasty nation, terrible and dreadful, who will take many people into captivity. If Habakkuk thought things were bad he must learn that they were going to get worse before they got better.

What perplexes you? Do you ask “Why?” Why does God send you suffering? Why does God not answer your prayers? Why does God give you a hard time at work, at home? Why are you so lonely? Why does God allow genocide to happen - in Kosovo, Cambodia? Why doesn’t God stop the violence in Iraq? These are perplexing questions. I have prayed for revival throughout my ministry. Why hasn’t God answered this prayer? Perplexities do arise and we must learn from Habakkuk how to deal with them.

Perplexities are faced by faith. This is the simple but forthright message of Habakkuk. In the midst of his perplexities the prophet could say the “just shall live by faith” (2:4). By faith, Habakkuk knew that despite all threats of extinction, the Jews had a future because God had promised it. Thus Habakkuk could confidently say ““we shall not die” (1:12). Habakkuk saw by faith that God would not abandon his people even though they must suffer for awhile.

You must face life’s perplexities with faith in the Lord God. He did not abandon Israel. He did not abandon his beloved Son Jesus. He will not abandon you who believe in his Son. Habakkuk moved from perplexity to peace when he lived by faith.

Perplexities are resolved. Habakkuk is perplexed as to why God should use evil people to deal harshly with his own people. But as his faith prevails Habakkuk realizes that though God raises up and uses evil people, he will in the end deal with them by judging them.

God’s wrath shall come upon Israel’s enemies. Woe to them says the Lord. Woe to the one who increases what is not his (2:6). Woe to him who covets evil gain in his house (2:9). Woe to him who builds a town with bloodshed (2:12). Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbour to make him drunk (2:15). Woe to him who appeals to idols (2:19). All these woes are directed to the Babylonians and Assyrians. God will bring down these people. That which perplexed the prophet will be resolved.

The lesson we learn from Habakkuk is that our perplexities are to be faced by faith. This means waiting on the Lord and rejoicing in him.

Jesus himself must wait till he has put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. (1 Cor.15:25); Matt. 22:44). We also must learn to wait even as the early Christians did (1 Thess. 1:10) and even as the martyred saints of Jesus are waiting now (Rev. 6:9-11).

We must also rejoice in our perplexities. Habakkuk ended by teaching that even though fruit trees do not bear fruit and fields yield no food, yet he would rejoice in the Lord (3:17,18). Be like the prophet. Rejoice, even amidst your perplexities.

Cope with life’s problems by way of faith. God is sovereign. He does not make mistakes. Keep your eyes on him through the Lord Jesus Christ. In the midst of your perplexities seek his face and trust in him. Your mind may at times be perplexed but it can, by faith, be at peace.

Summary of Sunday sermon by David Yan