HOW LONG?
John Ng
“How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” Habakkuk 1:2
The story of Habakkuk is a dialog between an honest prophet with a loving God. Two expressions introduced his complaint: “How long?” and “Why?” The first implied that he had petitioned God numerous times. Many times, his heart had been broken by the silence and inaction of God.
Behind “How long?” was also the unspoken torment, “I have my limits.” Behind the “Why?” was the insistence that “I must have reasons.” 1
The substance of his complaints seemed to be unanswered prayer. He had cried for relief from injustice and violence. And God had not answered. He saw all the evil of his day: Child sacrifices, exploitation of the poor, self-aggrandizement of the rich, sexual slavery and violence. He saw firsthand how these evils had ravaged his nation. He felt the hurt, the pain and the agony.
A further complication in this case was that Habakkuk stood as an innocent party, representing the remnant rather than the propagator of the violence. So, why should not his prayers be answered? How could God allow violence and not do anything about it?
This is the problem of evil. David Prior puts it in perspective, “Beginning with his own situation, he found himself articulating timeless questions – about the problems of evil, and the character of God, about the apparent pointlessness of prayer and impotence of God, about the oppressiveness of unrestrained violence and the silence of God.” 2
Only to Christians who believe in a God who is both holy and just and at the same time an omnipotent Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, can there be any real problem of evil.
The dilemma will be solved if we believe in a pantheon of deities some good, some bad. Sometimes, the good wins and other times, the bad wins.
Only to Christians who take the world and situations of the world seriously, will there be any real problem of evil. If God is all loving and righteous, why does He allow evil? If God is all-powerful, why doesn’t He do anything about evil?
Habakkuk was a perfect example of this dilemma. The prophet took a good look at his society. He did not gloss over the problem of evil, or simply ignore it. He was not discussing it academically, theoretically or theologically. He wanted an answer. No wonder, he cried, “How long?”
It is important to note that God Himself asks the same question of his people, “How long?”
“O Jerusalem, wash the evil from your heart and be saved. How long will you
harbor wicked thoughts?” Jeremiah 4:14
God is also asking, “How long?” God’s “How long?” reveals three aspects of God’s character.
His Deep Agony
When God sees the unbridled injustices, the inexplicable wickedness, and the incorrigible corruption, He agonizes. He feels as we feel. Without a doubt, the Lord is sympathetic to the prophet’s plea and our plea for justice.
His Unwavering Patience
God’s delay in punishing evil and executing His justice reveals His longsuffering. God is waiting for us to repent and turn back to Him. As someone opines, “If God decides to eradicate all evil at midnight tonight, who will be left behind?”
Ralph Carmichael wrote this beautiful hymn.
Why don’t you let Him come in?
There’s nothing in this world to keep you apart,
What is your answer to Him?Time after time He has waited before,
And now He is waiting again,
To see if you’re willing to open the door,
Oh, how he wants to come in.
His Righteousness and Love
God’s purpose in judgment is redemption. His desire is for us to live the life He meant it to be lived: Right Living and Loving Relationships. We are headed towards our own destruction by marching relentlessly in our selfish ways. We exploit our fellow human beings for personal gain and greed. We rob fellow human beings of their dignity in our unbridled lust and indulgent pornography. We destroy our earth for short-term profits and productivity, without any care for future generations.
This is not how God wants us to live! His answer, which is echoed throughout the Bible, is “The righteous shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4.
In essence, the answer to our agonizing complaint, “How long?” resides in us! To Habakkuk’s question, God is indirectly telling us that the answer rests in us. You and I need to turn from our sinful ways, transform our behaviors, do what is right, and love deeply again.
You and I are the problem to our question, “How Long?”
You and I are also the answer to our question, “How Long?”
—-
1 David Prior. 1998. The message of Joel, Micah, & Habakkuk. Edited by JA Motyer, The Old Testament series in The Bible Speaks Today. Inter- Varsity Press. Leicester, England.
2 Ibid.
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS
Agonizing Questions, Astonishing Answers – Studies in the Book of Habakkuk
Dr John Ng has completed a series of 7 videos addressing the perplexing questions of life, faith and God from the Book of Habakkuk. Like the prophet, we are often unable to see beyond the present trials and troubles of life to the ultimate purpose of God. We wonder why God is silent or inactive in our current world of pandemic, chaos and economic woes. Watch these videos and learn lessons that are relevant for us today as they were for Habakkuk in his time. Watch the videos at www.eagles.org.sg/er.
SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY
Eagles 52nd Anniversary Fund Race
This virtual fund race saw 48 participants completing 52 km and more over 15 days from October 17 to October 31.
It was more than just physical involvement. The team of 5 marathon runners who kick started the event on the night of October 16 with an overnight 52 km run through the significant milestone locations of our ministry and again in their second overnight 52 km run through the night of October 30 as the finale was a fitting tribute to God for 52 years of ministry. Staff and volunteers were inspired to complete their distances to help raise the funds.
Watch the video highlights and as God moves you, donate to encourage our staff in serving Him faithfully! Donate at http://www.tinyurl.com/52ndfundrace
HOW LONG?
John Ng
“How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” Habakkuk 1:2
The story of Habakkuk is a dialog between an honest prophet with a loving God. Two expressions introduced his complaint: “How long?” and “Why?” The first implied that he had petitioned God numerous times. Many times, his heart had been broken by the silence and inaction of God.
Behind “How long?” was also the unspoken torment, “I have my limits.” Behind the “Why?” was the insistence that “I must have reasons.” 1
The substance of his complaints seemed to be unanswered prayer. He had cried for relief from injustice and violence. And God had not answered. He saw all the evil of his day: Child sacrifices, exploitation of the poor, self-aggrandizement of the rich, sexual slavery and violence. He saw firsthand how these evils had ravaged his nation. He felt the hurt, the pain and the agony.
A further complication in this case was that Habakkuk stood as an innocent party, representing the remnant rather than the propagator of the violence. So, why should not his prayers be answered? How could God allow violence and not do anything about it?
This is the problem of evil. David Prior puts it in perspective, “Beginning with his own situation, he found himself articulating timeless questions – about the problems of evil, and the character of God, about the apparent pointlessness of prayer and impotence of God, about the oppressiveness of unrestrained violence and the silence of God.” 2
Only to Christians who believe in a God who is both holy and just and at the same time an omnipotent Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, can there be any real problem of evil.
The dilemma will be solved if we believe in a pantheon of deities some good, some bad. Sometimes, the good wins and other times, the bad wins.
Only to Christians who take the world and situations of the world seriously, will there be any real problem of evil. If God is all loving and righteous, why does He allow evil? If God is all-powerful, why doesn’t He do anything about evil?
Habakkuk was a perfect example of this dilemma. The prophet took a good look at his society. He did not gloss over the problem of evil, or simply ignore it. He was not discussing it academically, theoretically or theologically. He wanted an answer. No wonder, he cried, “How long?”
It is important to note that God Himself asks the same question of his people, “How long?”
“O Jerusalem, wash the evil from your heart and be saved. How long will you
harbor wicked thoughts?” Jeremiah 4:14
God is also asking, “How long?” God’s “How long?” reveals three aspects of God’s character.
His Deep Agony
When God sees the unbridled injustices, the inexplicable wickedness, and the incorrigible corruption, He agonizes. He feels as we feel. Without a doubt, the Lord is sympathetic to the prophet’s plea and our plea for justice.
His Unwavering Patience
God’s delay in punishing evil and executing His justice reveals His longsuffering. God is waiting for us to repent and turn back to Him. As someone opines, “If God decides to eradicate all evil at midnight tonight, who will be left behind?”
Ralph Carmichael wrote this beautiful hymn.
Why don’t you let Him come in?
There’s nothing in this world to keep you apart,
What is your answer to Him?Time after time He has waited before,
And now He is waiting again,
To see if you’re willing to open the door,
Oh, how he wants to come in.
His Righteousness and Love
God’s purpose in judgment is redemption. His desire is for us to live the life He meant it to be lived: Right Living and Loving Relationships. We are headed towards our own destruction by marching relentlessly in our selfish ways. We exploit our fellow human beings for personal gain and greed. We rob fellow human beings of their dignity in our unbridled lust and indulgent pornography. We destroy our earth for short-term profits and productivity, without any care for future generations.
This is not how God wants us to live! His answer, which is echoed throughout the Bible, is “The righteous shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4.
In essence, the answer to our agonizing complaint, “How long?” resides in us! To Habakkuk’s question, God is indirectly telling us that the answer rests in us. You and I need to turn from our sinful ways, transform our behaviors, do what is right, and love deeply again.
You and I are the problem to our question, “How Long?”
You and I are also the answer to our question, “How Long?”
—-
1 David Prior. 1998. The message of Joel, Micah, & Habakkuk. Edited by JA Motyer, The Old Testament series in The Bible Speaks Today. Inter- Varsity Press. Leicester, England.
2 Ibid.
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS
Agonizing Questions, Astonishing Answers – Studies in the Book of Habakkuk
Dr John Ng has completed a series of 7 videos addressing the perplexing questions of life, faith and God from the Book of Habakkuk. Like the prophet, we are often unable to see beyond the present trials and troubles of life to the ultimate purpose of God. We wonder why God is silent or inactive in our current world of pandemic, chaos and economic woes. Watch these videos and learn lessons that are relevant for us today as they were for Habakkuk in his time. Watch the videos at www.eagles.org.sg/er.
SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY
Eagles 52nd Anniversary Fund Race
This virtual fund race saw 48 participants completing 52 km and more over 15 days from October 17 to October 31.
It was more than just physical involvement. The team of 5 marathon runners who kick started the event on the night of October 16 with an overnight 52 km run through the significant milestone locations of our ministry and again in their second overnight 52 km run through the night of October 30 as the finale was a fitting tribute to God for 52 years of ministry. Staff and volunteers were inspired to complete their distances to help raise the funds.
Watch the video highlights and as God moves you, donate to encourage our staff in serving Him faithfully! Donate at http://www.tinyurl.com/52ndfundrace