How long Lord,
how much
must we suffer?
Don’t sit and watch,
so something.
Something to relieve suffering,
stop punishment,
halt destruction,
please.
The time is coming
my time,
the right time,
a good time;
what I have said
will happen,
what I have promised
will come true.
it may seem interminable
to you,
but wait,
hang on,
cling to me
for my promise is true.
A time will come,
when this will end.
I promise.
The theme of the first week in Advent is The Day of the Lord. We look forward to the coming of that day.
Habakkuk 1:12-2:4 (CEV)
Habakkuk Complains Again
12 Holy Lord God, mighty rock,
you are eternal,
and we are safe from death.
You are using those Babylonians
to judge and punish others.
13 But you can’t stand sin or wrong.
So don’t sit by in silence
while they gobble down people
who are better than they are.
14 The people you put on this earth
are like fish or reptiles
without a leader.
15 Then an enemy comes along
and takes them captive
with hooks and nets.
It makes him so happy
16 that he offers sacrifices
to his fishing nets,
because they make him rich
and provide choice foods.
17 Will he keep hauling in his nets
and destroying nations
without showing mercy?
The Lord Answers Habakkuk Again
2 While standing guard
on the watchtower,
I waited for the Lord’s answer,
before explaining the reason
for my complaint.
2 Then the Lord told me:
“I will give you my message
in the form of a vision.
Write it clearly enough
to be read at a glance.
3 At the time I have decided,
my words will come true.
You can trust what I say
about the future.
It may take a long time,
but keep on waiting—
it will happen!
4 “I, the Lord, refuse to accept
anyone who is proud.
Only those who live by faith
are acceptable to me.”
