For many years several mornings a week I tried to combine my efforts at maintaining physical and spiritual fitness by praying as I went out jogging. Before this exercise time I would generally spend some time reading the Bible. Sometimes most of my praying would be praise, thanksgiving, and requests on behalf of our family, congregations and community. On occasion I would meditate on the Scriptures and receive some insights to further study. I would seek God's direction and ask Him questions.

While I continue to read my Bible and pray I do not usually jog as a part of my fitness program. I quit that after my second surgery on my neck. Several years ago as I jogged along, my prayer time was temporarily interrupted as a collided with a low hanging tree branch. I was grateful that I could still see. My forehead and cheek took most of the blow. The next thought I recall was that as I prayed that God wanted me to be aware of what was going on around me. This was not just low hanging branches - but the needs of people in relation to God.

For a few weeks I want us to engage in a study of Habakkuk, a questioning prophet of the Lord who was somewhat aware of what was happening. However, as God answered, He told Habakkuk He told him to "Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder!"

As we get acquainted with this prophet, His first question and God's first answer to him, I believe we discover two ingredients of a healthy relationship with God.

I. Asking Questions

We do not know a great deal about Habakkuk that we do not glean from this prophetic book. Habakkuk's name is derived from the Hebrew word meaning to embrace or to clasp. Jerome stated that this prophet was called the embracer either because of his love for God or because he wrestled with God. Certainly the questions he asked are a way of wrestling with God.

While we most often hear prophets of God crying out to God's people, Habakkuk began this book asking a question of God on behalf of God's people.

This prophetic utterance, this oracle is described as a burden, which Habakkuk saw. Habakkuk is clearly disappointed with the sin, the wickedness going on around him and he speaks with God about the matter asking, "Why is evil going unpunished?? Or "Why does wrong seem to triumph?"

Apparently Habakkuk has been praying to God about violence and injustice going on in Jewish society for some time. He doesn't think that God has heard him because the problem continues.

Though Habakkuk may have tried to call God's people to repentance previously, in this writing he is speaking as the conscience of a nation. The fact that many who claim to be Gods' people are living in sin and strife with one another troubles Habakkuk greatly. The word of God is being disregarded and not put into practice, so why doesn't God do something about it?

How about those of us who claim to be people of God today? Are we disturbed about the sin and strife of those who profess Jesus and Savior and Lord? The sin and mockery of the Christian faith today may be somewhat similar to that of the Seventh Century B.C.

Of course, before asking why evil is going unpunished we would do well to examine our own lives to see if we are pleasing the Lord and that our profession of faith in Christ is practiced in our daily lives. In the church, love and obedience to God are to be our way of life. What a sad state of affairs when others cannot "know we are Christians by our love." How sad it is when disobedience, quarreling, and immorality are condoned in the family of God.

It is probably easier for us to ask God a difficult question than it is to accept God's answer.

II. Accepting God's Answers

Maybe that is why we often hesitate to even ask. We may not take the time to listen and wait for God's answer. We may not think that God has already answered or that He will answer.

God showed Habakkuk and told him the answer and challenged him to accept the answer. Habakkuk had already cried, "Why dost thou make me see iniquity and cause me to look on wickedness? V. 3

In verse 5 God begins to answer, "Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! For I am doing something in your days - You would not believe if you were told."

After complaining about having to see wrong Habakkuk is told to look at what is going on. Even though Habakkuk probably thought that he had seen enough wickedness if he kept looking God was not only going to tell him, but show him the answer. I do not think it was at all the answer Habakkuk had in mind.

I think that often Christians when Christians pray we have already decided what God's answer should be. Sometimes we may be right, but other times when God's answer is quite different we don't care to accept God's answer.

God's answer to Habakkuk is "I will use the Chaldeans to punish!" Such an answer was probably unthinkable to Habakkuk. The Chaldeans were part of the Babylonian Empire, a cruel, evil, and fierce nation to be feared. They will show no mercy and spare no pain in bringing punishment.

When God's professing people are quarreling among themselves an enemy will come to bring punishment. Later in history the divided nation was overcome by the Roman Empire.

In verse 11 we find that the Chaldeans who will invade their nation will themselves face divine judgment someday, too. They too are guilty. This deals with another question, which we won't take time for today, but will later.

From the next question Habakkuk asked it is obvious that he was not happy about God's answer right away. However, before his conversation with God concludes in Chapter 3 we find that he accepts God's answer in faith. (3:17-19.)

How about us? Do we accept God's answer with faith and trust in Him even when the answer is not what we wanted?

Conclusion

I believe that we must call Christians to holy living today lest a wicked invader be used to bring punishment to us. Brothers and sisters, we live in an evil age. Sin is going on with little regard to the consequences. Professing Christians are falling into hideous sins. In an effort to love, sometimes the church condones what God passionately hates. God does not hate the sinner, but he certainly hates the sin. How can the church support right living unless our moral standards are better than those who don't yet know Christ?

Could it be that judgment is coming for God and holy living by the moral decay, shattered lives, and families, perhaps by the terrible spread of gambling, abortions, pornography, drug and alcohol addiction, the homosexual revolution, and even by the AIDs epidemic?

As we ask God questions, may we also be willing to accept His answers. He is faithful. We can depend on Him.

Let's keep spiritually fit and watch out for low hanging branches.

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