A Cry For Help

God Instructs the People of God

Listening for God in Changing Times:

Use God's Strength

Habakkuk 1:1-5

The Message (MSG)

Justice Is a Joke

 ^1-4 The problem as God gave Habakkuk to see it: God, how long do I have to cry out for help
   before you listen?
How many times do I have to yell, "Help! Murder! Police!"
   before you come to the rescue?
Why do you force me to look at evil,
   stare trouble in the face day after day?
Anarchy and violence break out,
   quarrels and fights all over the place.
Law and order fall to pieces.
   Justice is a joke.
The wicked have the righteous hamstrung
   and stand justice on its head.

God Says, "Look!"

 ^5-11"Look around at the godless nations.
   Look long and hard. Brace yourself for a shock.
Something's about to take place
   and you're going to find it hard to believe.
I'm about to raise up Babylonians to punish you,
   Babylonians, fierce and ferocious—
World-conquering Babylon,
   grabbing up nations right and left,
A dreadful and terrible people,
   making up its own rules as it goes.
Their horses run like the wind,
   attack like bloodthirsty wolves.
A stampede of galloping horses
   thunders out of nowhere.
They descend like vultures
   circling in on carrion.
They're out to kill. Death is on their minds.
   They collect victims like squirrels gathering nuts.
They mock kings,
   poke fun at generals,
Spit on forts,
   and leave them in the dust.
They'll all be blown away by the wind.
   Brazen in sin, they call strength their god."

For Reflection
I sometimes reflect on the nature of world affairs--indeed our own national affairs and local affairs.  It seems that there are so many tyrannies-- so little selflessness -- so much corruption.

I  am also concerned about the counterpart of tyranny, fear.  I see how fear is weaponized.  I see how fear paralyzes us.  I find that even people of God squabble endlessly about the correctness of this or that and in doing so miss the point.

God is in us.  We have the capacity to enact peace-making.  We see the injustices.  Why do we expect others, or God for that matter, to do what we should be doing ourselves with God's help.  Act out of love, not fear.

Pray
that fear will not control your actions.  Pray for a faith so strong that the cry's for help are answered. Pray that you can become a peace-maker where ever God leads you.