Just Look At This, I Said Look!

Remember when you were a kid and your parent would say, "Just look at this!" We usually did not need to look or want to look.

In Habakkuk 1:3 the prophet prays, "Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong?"

This is totally the cry of a Pastor's heart. As a Pastor you are required to help people, to look at injustice, and you can not choose to avoid it. You can watch the news and choose to not care about the distant story. But you can't avoid the story that is sitting patiently through your sermon, in the hospital, or in your office. You are sucked into problems as you help and encourage people.

The next question is equally powerful. Why dose God tolerate wrong? Honestly, I am glad God is tolerant to the Holy degree that he is. His tolerance is called MERCY, and I have needed it many times. In our frustration with wickedness and our intensity to study the Scriptures week after week our cry is the same as Habakkuk's. We strain to understand God's holiness and his mercy mingled.

God answered Habakkuk in verse five and said hang on my friend, "Look at the nations and watch - and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." Hold on friends, answers are on the way. In Habakkuk's day the answer was God's judgement for 70 years. In our day it may be judgement, but it may also be the saving mercy and grace of Jesus Christ.