In our last visit I shared an outline based on the information we found in the prophetic book of Habakkuk. The title I gave the outline was: Authentic in Life and Service. I then amplified the title with three main points. Let’s amplify each of these points.
There is no question, Habakkuk had an authentic personal relationship with God. This is seen in the honest, two way communication between them. As Habakkuk served among the people of God he became aware of injustice, destruction, violence, strife and conflict among them. He felt the “law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted” (Habakkuk 1:4).
What he described is like reading today’s daily newspaper or watching the evening news on TV. It burdened him so much that he complained to God in prayer: “How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong?” (Habakkuk 1:2-3).
These are strong, confrontational complaints hurled at God in prayer. God didn’t zap him on the spot. He listened to what His servant had to say. Then He responded just as directly. What He said wasn’t what Habakkuk expected. God knew he’d be utterly amazed. He’d have a hard time believing it.
Habakkuk listened closely and again raised questions with God. That’s the kind of authentic personal relationship they had.
