Introduction

Habakkuk was concerned about the violence and injustice that were taking place in Judah and so he wanted to know what and if the Lord was doing about it.

Perhaps many of us are crying out more than ever in light of COVID 19 with the following questions. How long will this COVID 19 crisis last?? Why is there no cure as yet? Where is God in the midst of this crisis? How long will it take for the economy to restore after the crisis is over? Will I have a job? Will my business still be in operation? How long will the curfew last?

Habakkuk’s first complaint to the Lord.

Habakkuk wanted to know if God heard his plea and if he heard it why was he not doing anything. He specifically asked “O Lord, how long shall I cry and thou wilt not hear?” (Habakkuk 1:2)

The Lord’s response

The Lord responded and told Habakkuk to watch and see how he will work it out and he would not believed what he was doing even if he told him. God told him that he is raising up the Chaldeans (Babylonians) and he will use them to bring judgement on Judah.

Habakkuk second complaint

Habakkuk second complaint is that how can God used evil people like Chaldeans to punish Judah. 

The Lord’s response

The Lord said write down the vision “for the vision is yet for an appointed time” The Lord also said that the Babylon will also face judgement.

Habakkuk’s prayer

The final chapter of Habakkuk concluded with a prayer in which Habakkuk recognized the greatness of God and the work that God did for the salvation of the people. This prayer ended with the following “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fall, and the fields shall yield no meat, the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls. Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.” Habakkuk 3:17-19

Lessons Learned

• It is ok to converse with God about how you feel. In fact, you can talk to God about anything. I know many of you may feel like God is not doing anything about this COVID 19, then talk to him about it. There may be other issues you are going through. You may going through some sort of illnesses and wondering how long God will allow you to go through this pain. We see David conversing with the Lord in Psalm 13 with this question. “How Long O Lord will thou forget me?”Jesus also ask God a question in Matthew 27 46 “My God, My God, why has thou forsaken me?”
• Trust God. He knows what he is doing. Wait and watch and see the outcome. I am quite sure many of us can think of situations where you are now thankful for the outcome that took place. Initially you were probably disappointed because what you wanted to happen didn’t happen but in the end something else happen which was for your good. Be patient and wait on the Lord.
• Rejoice in God at all times even if you lost your job, house or business. Some of us will face these circumstances as a result of COVID 19 but still rejoice God. I know it is hard to rejoice when your circumstances appear to be negative.
• The COVID 19 crisis is not a surprise to God. His word foretold us about pestilence and other events that will take place. Therefore this is proof that the word of God is the most reliable and authentic book. Once we know the word then we too should not be surprise.
• God can use anyone or anything to get things done for his Glory.

Conclusion

Some may say what does the story Habakkuk has to do with COVID 19 given that Habakkuk was referring to violence and injustice. The point I am trying to make with this correlation is that many of us may feel like God is not doing anything about this COVID 19 crisis.

I encourage you to wait and see what God is about to do. Of course we want answers and resolutions immediately but our time is not God’s time but I know he is a God that comes on time.