The book of Habakkuk ends with a song. That might seem like a weird way to end a book, but it was actually pretty common in the time of the Bible. But this isn’t a happy song like you hear on the radio. This is a sad song. It’s the kind of song that made God’s people cry when they heard it.
At the end of Habakkuk, everyone kind of feels like crying. God’s people were going to go through some really hard times. Well, sometimes we go through hard times, too. We’ve already said in this series that life can be unfair. But sometimes life can just stink because bad things really do happen.
When bad things happen in life, we have to make a choice. Are we going to follow God, or not? I mean, why do you follow God? Do you only follow God because he makes your life better or easier? If that’s why, then you are going to be really disappointed because sometimes life is going to get hard even if you follow God and obey him. That’s why the Bible teaches us to follow God because he’s good, not because life is good.
We follow God because he is good
At the end of Habakkuk, life is getting really bad for God’s people. But Habakkuk isn’t giving up on God.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
Basically everything bad that can happen in Habakkuk’s life is going to happen. There is going to be no more food and no more money. The whole nation is being destroyed. It’s pretty rough. But Habakkuk still find his joy in God. Habakkuk knows that God is still with him and still on his side. He knows that God still loves him and will one day save him. God is still good.
God isn’t Santa Claus
If you are mad at God because he doesn’t give you everything you want, then you are treating God like Santa Claus. You think you deserve everything he gives you. But you don’t. God doesn’t owe us anything. Because of our sin, God could have nothing more to do with us if he wanted. But God isn’t like that. God loves you and he’s on your side. He doesn’t give you everything you want, but he does give you everything you need.
So, whenever life is hard, remember that God hasn’t abandoned you. He’s with you. He has a plan for you, and you can find your joy in him.
Discuss:
- Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
- What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
- Generally, what is your first reaction towards God when something bad happens in your life?
- Describe a time when you felt like giving up on God, but you pushed through? How did your faith grow in that situation?
- Read Habakkuk 3:17-18. How does your reaction to trials affect those around you?
- What are a some things that remind you that God has not abandoned you?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
