How long, O Lord, must I call for help?
But you do not listen!
“Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save.
Must I forever see these evil deeds?
Why must I watch all this misery?
Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence.
I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.
The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts.
The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted. – Habakkuk 1:2-4

Have you ever prayed a similar prayer? I definitely have. The news can be so discouraging and I ask God where He is in all of it. I ask Him to see all of the sorrow and injustice, as if He isn’t already looking. I tell Him my heart is breaking, as if His heart isn’t even more broken than mine.

190 teachers were pink-slipped in Peoria’s District 150 yesterday…
14 students were wounded at a Texas community college yesterday when a student went on a stabbing rampage…
Media have stopped their coverage of the trial of an abortionist accused of murdering seven babies and one woman…
Women have the right to abort but teachers do not have the right to pray aloud in their classroom…
Teenagers can obtain an abortion without parental consent but the government is considering taking away the right of parents to homeschool…
Increased spending, tax hikes, social security cuts…
Access to emergency contraceptives becomes a right for children, teens and women while the right to own and carry a gun is at risk…

God help us. See what is happening all around us. Where are you God? Are you listening?

“Look around at the nations; look and be amazed!
For I AM DOING SOMETHING in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.” – Habakkuk 1:5

God answer: Look around! There is evidence of my movement all around! I am never without a plan. Don’t try to fix the world around you of your own strength – trust in ME. Look for ME and seek MY plan. Be willing to do what I ask you, instead of depending on yourself. Be a part of MY plan instead of forcing your own.

“But they are deeply guilty, for their own strength is their god…
Look at the proud!
They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked.
But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.” – Habakkuk 1:11b, 2:4

Let’s make Habakkuk’s prayer in chapter 3 our prayer today, speaking it from our own hearts:

Lord, we have heard all about you and we are filled with awe by your amazing works.
In our time of deepest need, help us again just as you have in years past.
In your anger, remember your mercy.
We see YOU moving!!!
Was it in anger that you struck the rivers and parted the sea?
Were you displeased with them?
No, you were sending your chariots of salvation!
Lord, may your action save us and save our nation instead of destroying us for our sins.
Oh God, we trust in you!
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines;
Even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren;
Even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty,
Yet will I rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. Amen.