It was sometime around 600 BCE. The place was the southern kingdom of Judah. People feared what the Babylonian superpower could, and eventually did, do to them. There was internal strife among the citizens of Judah, too, along with corrupt politicians, exploitation of the poor, and an uncertain future. The prophet Habakkuk asks God theodicy questions like: why do the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper? God doesn’t seem to answer his questions.
Then, a surprise ending. Chapter three contains Habakkuk’s liturgical psalm-prayer, likely sung and played by the faithful worshipping community. Even though there may not be enough food to eat, Habakkuk underscores what is most important in life—namely, his and the faithful community’s relationship with God.
The issues facing Habakkuk and Judah are similar today: nations fearing aggressive superpowers, political corruption, exploitation of the poor, and an uncertain future.
We, like Habakkuk, probably ask God our theodicy questions. Maybe we face troubled times personally, in our family or faith community.
In our troubled times, like Habakkuk and his faithful community, we too can treasure what is most important in life—namely, our relationship with God—discover our strength in God, and worship.
Dear God, help us to realize that you are always with us—even in our most troubled times. Amen. —