Habakkuk: A 7-Day Devotional on Ruthless TrustSample

Faith in the Face of Failure

Habakkuk 2:2-5

Written by Rodney Taylor

Perplexing Problems

Have you ever faced a problem or a life issue with no solution in sight? You meditate on the problem or ruminate on the issue. You have that “aha moment” when you know the answer and feel assured of the outcome, only to be disappointed by failure. Your disappointment may feel more ruthless than your trust.

Perplexed Prophet

In today’s passage, we see a perplexed prophet confounded by the question of why God would permit such wicked people as the Babylonians to come and ravage the land of Judah. Why would He allow the evil nation to enslave God's people? It made no sense. God not only offers an answer to Habakkuk, but He also offers an answer to us when we are confused and baffled by life’s circumstances—“the righteous one will live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:4).

Powerful Faith

We are all human, afflicted by esteem for ourselves, lacking the uprightness to tackle the eccentricities of life. Yet we often believe that no issue of life is unconquerable by our own efforts. God’s view of humanity is quite different. Rather than depend upon our own power, rather than trust our own instinct, rather than believe that we have all the answers, the truly righteous person will live by faith. In ruthless trust, we must depend solely upon God for the outcomes of life’s setbacks. When we put our faith in God, he protects us and guides us to more satisfying and God-honoring attitudes and practices.

Lord, grant me grace throughout this day

To walk the straight and narrow way,

To do whatever in Thy sight

Is good and perfect, just and right. —Huisman

What Now?

Prayerfully examine those areas of your life where God's answer seems baffling. Then ask the Lord for ruthless trust in Him even when His answers do not seem to make sense.