HOW often do you hear people say they have stopped listening or looking at the news because it is so terrible?
We seem besieged with news of wars and rumours of wars, earthquakes, floods, famines, disasters due to the climate and you can probably add to the list.
The questions that come to mind can usually be put under the heading of “why?” Why do the wic
ked appear to flourish at the expense of those who lead good and peaceful lives? Why is there so much injustice in the world? Why does God allow it all to happen?
The questions are not new – a prophet in Israel in the seventh century BC, by the name of Habakkuk, wrestled with the same questions and wrote about it in the book that bears his name in the Old Testament.
He agreed that when we ask these questions of God we have to accept that God’s purposes and plans are often different than our own.
We have to accept that there is an element of mystery when we wrestle with the problems of history.
But he is sure that we should focus our minds on God – be still and rest in the knowledge that ultimately God is in control.
At the end of his writing Habakkuk says: “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.”
Despite everything, Habakkuk put his trust in God.
He did not depend for his happiness on changing circumstances, but rather found his joy in life through his faith in God and despite his circumstances.
The full article contains 308 words and appears in Suffolk Free Press newspaper.
