When God seems confused

The perplexing problem of pain, part 2 of 3
Pastor Vince DiPaola

“How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! ‘Violence!’ I cry, but you do not come to save.” (Habakkuk 1:2–3 NLT)

Deep questions that problems produce

Four perplexing questions that big problems raise…

1. Why does God allow “wrong doing” to exist?

“Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.” (Habakkuk 1:3, NIV)

2. Why does God allow “wrong doers” to thrive?

“The law has become paralyzed and useless, and there is no justice given in courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, and injustice is perverted…” ((Habakkuk 1:4, NLT)

3. Why does God seem distant in my difficulty?

“Will you… stand idly by while they swallow us up? Should you be silent while the wicked destroy people who are more righteous than they are?” (Habakkuk 1:13, NLT)

4. Why does God seem to let evil win in life?

“Will you let them get away with this forever? Will they succeed forever in their hearless conquests?” (Habakkuk 1:17, NLT)

Deep answers that problems provide

Four answers that explain God’s purpose for our problems…

1. God faithfully corrects our problems at the right time.

“But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches… *if it seems slow, wait paitiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” (Habakkuk 2:3, NLT)

It’s better to ask “what now?” than “why?”

2. God lovingly changes our behaviour in our problems.

“O Lord our Rock, you have decreed the rise of these Babylonians to… correct us for our terrible sins. You are perfect just in this.” (Habakkuk 1:12b, NLT)

God values personal growth over personal comfort.

3. God patiently shapes our attitudes in our problems.

“I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us. Even though the fig tree has no blossoms… I will be joyful in God… my strength! He will make me as surefotted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.” (Habakkuk 3:16b–19, NLT)

When God is all you have, you realize that He’s all you need.

4. God continually deepens our dependence on Him.

“Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked; but the righteous will live by their faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4, NLT)

If you’ve never had problems, you’d never know God’s faithfulness to solve them.