Habakkuk’s Prayers
Open Your Bible
Habakkuk 1:1-17, Psalm 13:1-6, Acts 13:40-41
BY Guest Writer
Scripture Reading: Habakkuk 1:1-17, Psalm 13:1-6, Acts 13:40-41
It wasn’t until I was in college studying grammar and literature that I realized something: the word “wait” is an action verb. Something is happening, something is in motion—even when the word itself implies stasis. To wait on someone means to serve them by being actively present, even without words. In Habakkuk 1, waiting abounds. The people of God are waiting for an answer, and God is waiting until the time is right. Neither wait is wrong, still, or without action.
Habakkuk says the law is “paralyzed, and justice never goes forth” (1:4, ESV). To God’s people, it feels as though they are stuck in the perpetual motion of law-keeping, not seeing any hope of the future God has promised them. They stand, waiting and begging, imploring the God of the universe to hear and answer and save.
God is also waiting, and His waiting is perfect within His predetermined time. He is not being pushed to any limit, and He is not worried about being too early or too late. He is present, even though He may appear silent. And His waiting is good, even though it may feel punitive to His people.
I’m sure you’re waiting for something today. Just in the time I’ve written these last three paragraphs, three different individuals I know walked up to me here, at the coffee shop where I’m working. Each lamented different things they have begged God to see and act on, yet they feel He has remained silent toward their suffering.
I am waiting for things, too. We are all waiting for something, and it can be very tempting to believe we are the only ones waiting. We can feel paralyzed in the waiting, left feeling that God is either ignorant of our pleas or intentionally avoiding an answer for us. But wait is a verb, and it is not one without action. God is at work in your waiting, and you are at work in it, too. Cry out to Him like Habakkuk, asking:
“How long, LORD, must I call for help
and you do not listen
or cry out to you about violence
and you do not save?” (v.2).
Do not be afraid to bring Him your questions and emotion. God can handle your fear. He is rock solid and unchanging, but He is also acting, right now, on behalf of His children.
Lore Ferguson Wilbert is a writer, thinker, and learner. She blogs at Sayable, and tweets and instagrams at @lorewilbert. She has a husband named Nate, a puppy named Harper Nelle, and too many books to read in one lifetime.
128 thoughts on "Habakkuk’s Prayers"
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A timely devotional as I am in the midst of a recruitment process and am feeling paralyzed by waiting and indecision. Had been praying that I wouldn’t make a decision dominated by fear. So helpful to be reminded He can deal with my fear and see the big picture far more adequately than I.
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“God can handle your fear.” LOVE that. What a great reminder that God is the one we should feel the most comfortable coming to with our questions and emotions. He made those emotions and is more than equipped to handle them.
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And again I’m brought back to this word, “wait”. “What am I doing while I wait?” That is the question I ask myself constantly because it was asked of me. I am waiting for God to show up in my finances right now as a missionary, but while I wait, I am sharing with as many people as I can, and also choosing to be a blessing wherever I can. I want God to use me in every area/a venue
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Yes!!!! I feel the same and I am waiting in the same way. It’s easy to feel like your the only one going through something and the wait can be truly hard. I’m glad to know that I have sisters who are waiting in the same fashion! ❤️
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This is amazing. Praise Jesus
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Thank you Lord for letting me read this devotion. Thank you also to the writer whom God used. I have only realized that when I am waiting, GOD IS ALSO WAITING. I am not alone even if I feel that I am.
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Your comment spoke life to me. Thank you
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This really opened my eyes. I have never viewed or heard that wait is an action word. I’m definitely waiting on things, and hoping for things… and sometimes it feels endless. But the God who created us, knitted us together knows us better than we know ourselves. Thank you for this. ♥️
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I am so glad I logged onto this devotional today. It is so encouraging and I know God has a plan. He sees the “big picture”.
I haven’t been on the site in a while, other things going on. But at the moment in my Group, we’re studying “Discerning the Voice of God” by Priscilla Shirer, and this week in our study, she mentioned Habakkuk. I didn’t know much about this book, so I looked it up and starting reading. Then I got an email from “She Reads Truth”, and it mentioned the study at the moment and Habakkuk, which led me here.
I have been praying a long time for guidance in my marriage and I am so encouraged by the responses here to know I’m not alone.
Maybe I am “Discerning the Voice of God!”
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