Keep Silent Before the LORD!
"But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him." (Habakkuk 2:20, English Standard Version).
We've been taking a look at the prophet
Habakkuk the last few weeks, and the lessons we're learning about faith and the
nature of God are good ones to keep in mind. Let's take a quick review. In
chapter one, we had the Prophet looking on the landscape of his nation and
crying out to God, "Where are You in all this sin and depravity?"
The nation of
Habakkuk has a meltdown because the
Chaldeans were a more vile and wicked people that the people of
1. God is in control ("But the LORD is in his holy temple"). This is a wonderful word picture. Imagine all the apparent chaos in the world and the fact that it seems to be so out of control. In all of this, a Christian might begin to think that God is at best overwhelmed and at worst out to lunch. Yet, what image does God give Habakkuk? The LORD is in His holy temple. Side note: When you see the word "LORD" in Scripture, it is a reference to God's covenant name, Yahweh (Jehovah). This is the name God gave to Moses when Moses asked whom should I say sent me? God goes by many names and titles, but Yahweh is a special name that brings to the Jewish mind the concept of covenant and promises. The point being God is in control! He hasn't left the throne room; He isn't overwhelmed. God is where He has always been for all eternity--in His throne room in complete control of all events on earth. God is like a master chess player, making moves and counter moves always ten steps ahead of His opponent.
2. Let no one bring any accusations against Him ("Let all the earth keep silence before him"). Being finite beings like Habakkuk, we might look at the world around us and say the same things he was saying: "Where is God when we need Him?" "Why doesn't God punish sin?" "Is God fair?" God's response? BE SILENT! That's it? Yes, that's it. BE SILENT! In other words, if God is in control, then don't worry about what others are getting away with; they will get their due, you just take care of your own righteousness. Don't mistake this as God not wanting to hear our complaints and concerns. God is always eager to help those who honestly seek Him. However, He reserves the right not to provide an answer to every query. He will always provide comfort, but not always an answer. We, in our pride, sit here and demand that God answer to us. BE SILENT!
Application Time. I said this passage is meant to bring
comfort. Maybe you're facing a personal injustice, or maybe you're just fed up
with the rampant injustice in this world? Perhaps you're tired of trying to
live by God's will and seeing others flourish who have no love for God? God is
in control. Those people who are flaunting God's will in this life will not
escape God's judgment in the next life ("And just as it is appointed
for man to die once, and after that comes judgment" Hebrews
Bottom Line. Take comfort that God will reward you
for your obedience in this life. Take comfort in the fact that this earthly
existence isn't all there is; we await the blessed hope of Christ's return ("For
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing
with the glory that is to be revealed to us" Romans