The world is in disarray. People everywhere are on edge. The slightest of disagreement quickly turns to acrimony and bitterness. We see families torn apart over politics and opinions on government. A ruthless spiritual cloud covers the earth and manifests in wars and rumors of wars. Innocents are killed in the womb or trafficked for pleasure and profit. Evil attacks at will and when the victims fight back, many side with the evil and say “you’ve gone too far.” The courts are unjust, using laws as weapons against any who disagree with certain political philosophies. Mankind looks to governments for protection and salvation. These are days like those seen in the vision called the Burden of Habakkuk.
Habakkuk 1-4 says, “This is the burden that Habakkuk the prophet received in a vision: How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear, or cry out to You, “Violence!” but You do not save? Why do You make me see iniquity? Why do You tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.” The LORD replied in verse 5, in part: “Look at the nations and observe—be utterly astounded! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe even if someone told you.” The Lord answers that He is raising up the Chaldeans, a dreaded, ruthless, people whose god is their own strength. Habakkuk realizes they are appointed for judgment and correction.
The prophet Habakkuk was given this vision by the LORD to prepare his people for the impending Babylonian invasion when in 605 BC Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem, taking many, including Daniel, into exile. It was indeed a dreaded time. It is a pattern that we see in the Bible, where the LORD allows evil to advance for both judgment and correction. It’s similar to the adage that like dissolves like. Evil devours itself. Good is honed in the fire, purified by the chastening. As Christ explains in Matthew 5:45, “for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust,” reminding us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”
You see, government in any form is not God. We can see what a mess governments have made of things. Corruption, injustice, evil, even in the name of humanitarianism and equality, all come to a vicious space. They are the results of the fallen human condition. Only God through his true son provides salvation. This turmoil that we are seeing today is the lead up to end of times. Those of us who know and are led by the Holy Spirit share the Burden of Habakkuk, we see what is happening and are troubled by it from an earthly perspective. But like Habakkuk, we must use these times to stimulate our faith and inspire the remnant that the LORD, not man or government, will restore peace and deliverance in due time. Be encouraged. Be the light unto others. Keep the faith. Stand fast. The best is yet to come.
