A few months ago, I spoke with my best friend from college. Way back in the eighties we would often speak of more than sports and the weather. While he doesn’t remember it, he was able to challenge me on some things others couldn’t get away with when I was as twenty-something know-it-all.

When we spoke on the phone neither of us felt the need to exchange too many pleasantries. We just talked. We spoke of our concerns about the state of our nation. Over the last few years, he and his family had experienced some pain. Real pain. Heart-wrenching. Destructive. Faith-challenging pain. Over the last few months, the pain has intensified on the other side of the conversation now.

Today, I was reminded of the scripture from Habbukuk below as the prophet cries out to God in his own pain and distress – Help!

O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?
Or cry to you Violence! and you will not save?
Why do you make me see iniquity,
and why do you idly look at wrong?
Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.
So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.

Habakkuk 1: 2-4

The answer comes in verse 5 – …“I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.”

As with Habakkuk, God is engaged even when we have questions with no apparent answers. In Habakkuk’s situation, God was using an enemy to accomplish His purposes. Think of the Cross. Who would have believed that the Crucifixion was the answer?

Not only is God in control, but He is at work. We may not understand our circumstances. We may feel abandoned, but God is faithful to always do what is right and just. God is for us.