From Worry to Worship

BY JOSEPH TAN

“How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen!

“Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save.”

HABAKKUK 1:2 (NLT)

In recent times, we have been bombarded with world news of injustice, violence, disasters, covid-19 pandemic and its negative impact on health and global economy.  Some of us are facing problems at workplace, family problems, health issues and grief when loved one passed on.  Some are facing job loss and uncertainties ahead. Many of us spend hours worrying and fretting over things we have little or no control of.  Our stomachs churn, our minds grow weary, and our hearts hurt. And we cannot find joy in what we do, the job we love, or being with our loved ones. We start to doubt God. “Why does this thing happen to me? Why me? How long will I have to go through and suffer? Lord, You, don’t seem to hear my prayer. You don’t seem to save me from my trouble, injustice, etc.”

There was a time when I was treated unfairly at my workplace. Office politics was rampant. It was so bad that my health and family life were affected. For about three years, I was stressed up, disappointed and I struggled internally. I found myself dreading to get ready for work every day. I started to blame myself and others when things went wrong. I began to question God.  Why did God allow this to happen to me? Why me and not someone else? It’s not fair. It’s not right and my complaints went on.

During one of my bible study classes, I learnt about Habakkuk - his struggles, his complaints and how he waited for God’s answer and solution. That helped me return to God and asked Him for strength. I learnt to surrender my problems to God. I learnt to wait and worship Him during the interim. Then I was transferred to another department.  I enjoyed my work until the company shut down in 2004.

Going through a problem can be hard and stressful. It can be a mental torture. However, after undergoing that tough and difficult time, it made me understand and see God’s sovereignty.  He knows and cares for me. He understands what I am going through. Now I can confidently say, “He will never leave me nor forsake me. The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrew 13:5-6). From the book of the prophet Habakkuk, I have learnt how to find the solution to my problems. Habakkuk had a list of problems.  God led him through, step by step, to the solution of his problems. Habakkuk was a prophet in Judah who lived in about 600 BC. It was a period of injustice, immorality and violence. His nation was declining and under threat from a much stronger power. His main problems and questions can be seen in Habakkuk 1:2 – Habakkuk’s complaints: “Why isn’t God doing something?” “Why does God allow such things to happen to His people?” But Habakkuk knew that only God could solve his problem. He started to talk to God, and this had led him to the solution he sought.   Here are some lessons we can learn from Habakkuk:

In Chapter 1. We see Habakkuk did two things:

First, he started to question himself when he saw what was happening and why did it happened. He wondered why God did not intervene.  Second, as a result, he started to worry and became very concerned and stressed about the whole situation. It is our human nature to react when we are faced with injustice, troubles, disasters and uncertainties. We begin to worry and become concerned and stressed. We will ask the same kind of questions too. But what’s important is how we react and reflect to a given situation – knowing that only God can solve our problem. (Habakkuk 1:2)

In Chapter 2. We see Habakkuk also did two things:

First, he waited and watched. He could not see the answer to his questions or the solution to his problems.  Second, yet he was willing to wait and watch God act. He did not wait in a spirit of helplessness or hopelessness. Habakkuk watched for the answers and believed that the answers and solution would come. When we do not see the answer and solution from God, what do we do? We need to believe, wait and see the solution to the problems. Are we able to be like Habakkuk who wisely waited and believed to see what God will do and watch for an answer? (Habakkuk 2 v1)

In Chapter 3, we see Habakkuk did two more things:

Habakkuk worshipped and witnessed. When Habakkuk received the answer from God, he prayed and worshipped his God. Habakkuk worries were turned into worship and joy. He witnessed who God is and what He has done. (Habakkuk 3 v2).

May God lead us from worry to worship and from fear to faith in Him!  This week take time to read and meditate on Psalm 37, 42, 43, and 73 – and demonstrate a heart of trust in God!