If you get offended easily then don’t read this post.
I am reading the Book of Habakkuk this morning (Thanks to my friend Russell) and I am convinced that God is a man. I am still dealing with the death of my brother that happened 5 weeks ago. I have dug into the scriptures to try and find answers to my many questions and I have found some answers. However, I still have more…
I was talking with a friend yesterday who quoted Habakkuk and I decided to read it this morning in my time with God. Basically in this book Hab is asking God why he tolerates the wickedness in this world and when is He, (God) going to make things right. I have asked basically the same question over the past several years and especially the past 5 weeks. Why God do you allow this to go on? Don’t mis-understand me, I love life, I love my wife, kids, mom, dad, grandkids, all of my family. I love the many friends that I have been blessed with. I love to preach, I love so many things about this life. But you see, we have been promised all this and more. We have been promised there is a home for us that is perfect, where there is no more death, no more pain, no more tears, and no more separation. I along with the entire creation, long for that ultimate home and scripture backs this up.
Here is a sample of Hab’s questions. From Habakkuk 1.
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.
Here is God’s answer. From Habakkuk 2.
Then the Lord said to me,
“Write my answer plainly on tablets,
so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.
This vision is for a future time.
It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled.
If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently,
for it will surely take place.
It will not be delayed.
“Look at the proud!
They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked.
But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.
Here is God’s response in the Message Translation.
And then God answered: “Write this.
Write what you see.
Write it out in big block letters
so that it can be read on the run.
This vision-message is a witness
pointing to what’s coming.
It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait!
And it doesn’t lie.
If it seems slow in coming, wait.
It’s on its way. It will come right on time.
“Look at that man, bloated by self-importance—
full of himself but soul-empty.
But the person in right standing before God
through loyal and steady believing
is fully alive, really alive.
In other words, God says be patient, the day is coming when all things will be made right. He goes on to say that it will be at exactly the right time and none of us as humans know when that time is. He also says that the blessed ones are those who live faithfully for God while we wait. We just have to trust in the God who created us and loves us so much that he sacrificed His son that we might have eternal life.
Now, here is how I know God must be a man. My wife (Misty) is always asking me questions when I talk with friends or family that I can’t answer. I can’t answer them because as a typical man I don’t get all the details that she as many women like to have. Men typically say just what words need to be said and we don’t ask for many details. Well now I find myself asking God for details. Why didn’t He give us more? I can’t answer that except to say, maybe we would be overwhelmed if we had all the details. Maybe we have all that we need to get us home and faith is sufficient. I’m not sure and I am still seeking answers but I will live faithfully while I wait. I trust God and I know that He loves us, even more than I love the ones I have been blessed to share life with here. I don’t always give all the details to my loved ones but they can trust that I have their best in mind and I am there to walk with them.
Ronnie
Read it anyway! 🙂 I don’t think we can “reduce” God to a specific gender even if He doesn’t give us details. He is so much more than our human minds can comprehend. God is Spirit – Jn 4:24; God is self-existent – Jn 5:26; God is unchangable – Mal. 3:6; All humans are created in God’s image – “image” and “likeness” doesn’t refer to visible or bodily forms, but to intellectual and moral likeness – likeness in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness of truth. It means we have sameness in attributes and God has both male and female attributes. He is nurturing and orderly as well as strong and powerful to name but a few contrasting attributes.
Yes, but what did you think of the Hab’s questions and God’s answers?
Continuing to walk with you in prayer.
I love the book of Habakkuk, but I’ll have to admit that most of the times I’ve read it has been through tears. I too have kicked at gravels and punched the air in my frustration, but I have always come to embrace that God is in control!
I wrote a poem titled “The Fear of the Lord” that talks of that coming to an understanding. Let me know, I can send you a copy. Also, I just thought, I have another one that I wrote after both my parents passed away titled “Between Heaven and Me” that shares my feelings at that “emptiness”.
I know you’re hurting… and the emptiness (I don’t think) will ever go away, but God’s love helps ease the pain.
betty
Sorry to be so late in responding! Busy schedule lately. Yes, I completely agree that we will always cry out to God wondering when O when will He make things right. Hab. only asks the questions others before him and since him have asked (will ask until Jesus comes). Even at the end during the Revelation to John the fifth seal is opened (Rev.6:9)and the ones slaughtered for the Word of God(martrys)cry out with a loud voice asking “how long?” And they were each given a white robe and told to “rest” awhile longer. Not merely wait, but to rest because the Judge will settle all things. I believe that’s why at the end of the Scriptures when Jesus says “Surely I am coming soon.” and verse 20 of Revelation 22 ends with “Amen. Come, LORD Jesus!” we repeat these words because we hunger for the way God intended us & all His creation to be. We hunger for the second advent that will usher in the new heaven and the new earth and set it all right. In the meantime, we must be overcomers. When Jesus says “endure to the end” (Mt.24:13) it tells me that it’s gonna to be hard, hard, hard to get to the end, but it’s gonna be worth it.