On the Longsuffering of God - Habakkuk 1:2-4

O Lord, how long shall I cry,
And You will not hear?
Even cry out to You, “Violence!”
And You will not save.
Why do You show me iniquity,
And cause me to see trouble?
For plundering and violence are before me;
There is strife, and contention arises.
Therefore the law is powerless,
And justice never goes forth.
For the wicked surround the righteous;
Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.
- Habakkuk 1:2-4

    Here the prophet, Habakkuk, cries out to God, complaining of plundering, violence, strife, and contention. In many ways we see the same problems in contemporary society. There is certainly plundering of the weak by the powerful; violence occurs globally in nonstop fashion; strife between nations, faiths, races, and ethnicities is rampant; contention permeates every walk of life. Is there any of us who have not asked God why He hasn’t intervened? Is there anyone who hasn’t wished to see God right a wrong? We might all be careful what we wish for.
    We must try to remember Romans 3:23 - “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Understanding that we are all sinners should temper our fervent desire to see God’s holy wrath brought down upon anyone. After all, we are all deserving of God’s justice, are we not?
    If this is true then we should give thanks and find solace in God’s tender mercies. The psalmist says it best. “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.” - Psalm 103:8. Were He not, perhaps His primary target for holy justice would be us, not those we feel deserve the terror of His immediate wrath. How grateful I am that my Lord and God has shown me patience and longsuffering. I can certainly remember times that a God quick to anger and exact justice would have struck me down without a second thought. To my Lord I am eternally grateful He has not seen fit to do so.
    So the next time you feel the frustration of living in cold, callous, and sinful times hold these words in your heart. “But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious,
Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.” - Psalm 86:15. Praise God with your thanks rather than petition Him with your complaints.
    May God always show you the patience and longsuffering of His love.