How Is God Answering Your Prayers?

Have you ever read the book of Habakkuk? For most of us, I'm sure the answer would be "no" or at least not in awhile. We usually skip these small books at the end of the Old Testament and head right for the gospels. However, I have been reading through these books and found something interesting that I think is relevant for today.

Habakkuk was probably a contemporary of Jeremiah and wrote this book before the invasion of Jerusalem by Babylon. The nation of Judah was filled with sin, and corruption and injustice abounded. The nation was going downhill fast. Sound familiar? During his prayer time (1:2-4), Habakkuk was complaining to God as to why He was not doing something about the situation. Why wasn't He bringing revival? Why wasn't He answering their prayers for deliverance from injustice and wickedness? Why was sin and wickedness still prevailing? Also sound familiar?

Beginning with verse 5, notice God's answer. God says, "I will answer your prayers. In fact, I'm going to do something that you're not going to believe. I'm going to raise up the Babylonians, that ruthless and dreaded people, to come and take your nation into captivity."

"What? How can such a holy God use such wickedness to accomplish His purpose? This can't be Your will! This has got to be an attack from the enemy! We just need to rebuke those Babylonians so that God's will can be accomplished." Those are not Habakkuk's exact words- his response is in 1:12-2:1, but he did find it difficult to believe what he was hearing from God. How can this be the answer to their prayers? How can this possibly bring about God's purpose? This is definitely not how he expected God to answer his prayer!

However, if we look at the end of this time period in Israel's history, we find that Babylon's captivity of Israel did cause the Israelites to turn their heart more towards God (which they did after every difficult situation- see the book of Judges). But, it also opened up the way for four young men who were totally dedicated to God to be able to reveal God's power several times to the entire nation of Babylon and beyond (see the book of Daniel). This could have never happened if the Babylonians had not captured Jerusalem. Those young men would have never been taken captive and sent to Babylon, and there would have not been the opportunity for God to be glorified in that nation. God used those wicked Babylonians to actually expand His kingdom! Only heaven knows the number of lives that had been influenced for the glory of God through this.

Therefore, what appeared to be a very bad idea on God's part; a step backwards from the advancement of righteousness and a total defeat for the Kingdom of God, was actually all part of God's plan to advance His kingdom to areas previously unreached.

So, how is God answering our prayers? Is it possible that the advancement of false religions, the government officials we feel are leading us down the wrong path, and all the other things we complain about and do "spiritual warfare" against are actually instruments of God to accomplish His purpose (1:12)? Could it be that what appears to be a defeat (whether it be a job loss on a personal level to an international crisis) could actually be an open door for God to demonstrate His power and for Him to be glorified?

Habakkuk ended his prophecy by stating that even though he may not see the blessings or the results of God's answer to his prayer, he will still rejoice in the Lord for it is only God who is able to give him strength and raise him above this situation (3:17-19). He knew that God was still in control, and Habakkuk placed total trust and confidence in God even though he may not understand what God is doing. Can we do the same?

Just a thought!