I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe...

September 11, 2001 brought many questions to my heart and mind.  How could this happen? What about all those innocent people?  Where was God in all this?   For months it shook me to my core.  By the tenth anniversary of that terrible day, I have found some answers to those questions.

Habakkuk, a prophet of old in the Bible, also had some questions for the Lord.  Habakkuk lived through one of the most troubling times in Israel's history.  He saw Babylonians destroying God's people before his very eyes and looking like they were getting away with murder.  So, Habakkuk looks up to heaven and inquires, actually complains, to God.

"How long, LORD, must I call for help,  but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save?
Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?
Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds."  Habakkuk 1:1-3

9/11 was almost surreal.  Watching it unfold on television was like watching a violent movie trailer - a quick flash of drama and it was over.  Only smoke and ruins remained.  It was difficult to believe it  happened in New York City...or any city for that matter.

With my own thoughts of God's hand in current events, I marveled at this scripture today.   God wanted the prophet Habakkuk to know that He knew what was going on in Judah (the southern kingdom of Israel).  In fact, God told him that He was raising up the Babylonians.  That He had appointed them to execute judgement on His beloved people.  Habakkuk had his questions, and God's answers might not have been what he expected.

The LORD’s Answer

  “Look at the nations and watch—
   and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
   that you would not believe,
   even if you were told.
 I am raising up the Babylonians,^[a]
   that ruthless and impetuous people,
who sweep across the whole earth
   to seize dwellings not their own.
 They are a feared and dreaded people;
   they are a law to themselves
   and promote their own honor.
 Their horses are swifter than leopards,
   fiercer than wolves at dusk.
Their cavalry gallops headlong;
   their horsemen come from afar.
They fly like an eagle swooping to devour;
  they all come intent on violence.
Their hordes advance like a desert wind
   and gather prisoners like sand. They mock kings
   and scoff at rulers.
They laugh at all fortified cities;
   by building earthen ramps they capture them.
 Then they sweep past like the wind and go on—
   guilty people, whose own strength is their god.        
  LORD, are you not from everlasting?
   My God, my Holy One, you will never die.
You, LORD, have appointed them to execute judgment;
   you, my Rock, have ordained them to punish."

Habakkuk went back and forth with God on a couple matters. What about Babylon???  In the content of the scripture, God tells him that He will deal with Babylon later - at an appointed time, but right now He was dealing with the rebellion of His own people.   

I believe the God of Israel is relevant and Sovereign today.  The times we live in reveal that as a nation we don't desire to walk in His ways.  The example and warning of how He feels about that is given to us by Habakkuk during the time of Judah's rebellion.  We are a puffed up nation and our desires are not upright - but God says the righteous will live by faith. He has a plan above all conspiracies and plans of man.  And in the end, He will overcome any evil and His Word will not prove false.  Though at times, like on September 11, 2001, it seems like He is lingering and not there, we are called by faith to wait for Him.  His victory will certainly come and will not delay. It is for an appointed time...later.

The perspective on tribulation that Habakkuk shared with me today gave me peace. One of the answers I found was that God allows these things...even sends these things...to wake us up.  In His sovereignty, if you can accept this, He can even use what was meant for evil for good.  And yes, there are casualties.  People we love die.  People we admire, sweet people, children, wives, moms, dads, husbands, brothers, sisters, and friends.   Don't fear those who can kill the body....better to be afraid of the One who can destroy both the soul and body in hell.

So, even though planes fly into buildings at the hands of wicked men, and bombs torpedo across the sky, and men wage war against men, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.  'No weapon that has been made to be used against you will succeed...this is the inheritance of the LORD's servants. Their victory comes from me," declares the LORD.'  Isaiah 54:17