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Habakkuk's world gave him much to be angry about. His nation had existed some four hundred years, three hundred years since the civil war that separated it from the northern kingdom. But recent years had seen ever-increasing evil, in the land. Manasseh had been the most wicked king in their history—and he led the people in the same direction. Josiah had discovered The Book of God's Law hidden in the temple and had instituted reforms toward godliness, but that ended with his sudden death. Kings (his three sons and one grandson) following him didn't last long. After the biblical record of each came the terse words that each one disobeyed the Lord (see 2 Kings 23:32, 37; 24:9, 19).

So Habakkuk complained to God. He used words like violence, iniquity, trouble, plundering, strife, and perverse judgment. He complained that laws could not be enforced; that justice was always the loser; and that criminals twisted the laws to their own advantage. (Habakkuk 1:4). He knew that these conditions offended God even more than they offended him. He knew that God already joined him in his anger.

When you see evil and injustice around you, it's perfectly appropriate to feel anger and to express that anger to God. God is holy, and he has all power. God may choose to honor your prayers by taking action against these wrongs, but you must await his timing. (See also Numbers 20:1-13; Job 19; Psalm 10.)

O LORD, how long shall I cry, and you will not hear? Even cry out to you, "Violence" and you will not save. Habakkuk 1:2

How do you handle the evil and injustice around you?

Copyright 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.

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