There are times when faith feels straightforward: we pray, we read the Bible, things are going well, and our hearts are full of gratitude. But there are other times when God seems silent, our prayers seem unanswered, and the world around us appears to make less and less sense. It is into that place that the Old Testament book of Habakkuk speaks with remarkable honesty.

We know very little about Habakkuk the prophet. His book was probably written in the late seventh century BC, during a deeply unsettled period in the history of Judah. Violence and injustice were widespread, and the powerful Babylonian Empire was threatening the region.

Habakkuk begins not with a sermon, but with a question: “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” (1:2). He looks at the injustice around him and asks why God appears to be doing nothing. God answers — but His answer isn’t what Habakkuk expects. God says that He is raising up the Babylonians as an instrument of judgement! Habakkuk is even more troubled. How can a holy and righteous God use a nation notorious for its violence and cruelty?

So Habakkuk does something which is a useful lesson for us: he waits! He takes his stand and watches for God to answer.

God reassures him that evil will ultimately be judged. His purposes may seem slow from our human perspective, but they will be fulfilled. Then comes the book's great declaration: “The righteous person will live by his faithfulness” (2:4).

By the final chapter, Habakkuk's circumstances have not improved — but his perspective has changed. His prayer becomes a song of trust. He imagines the worst, yet he says: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.” (3:18)