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| 2022 United Nations |
When the World Shakes, Is God Still There? In a world trembling under the weight of bombs, broken homes, and lost lives, we may find ourselves asking, “Where is God?” This question is not new. It's the same cry of the prophet Habakkuk, who looked around at violence, injustice, and terror and cried out to the Lord:
“O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not
hear? Or cry to you ‘Violence!’ and you will not save?”
— Habakkuk 1:2 (ESV)
His cry could just as easily have come from the lips of a Ukrainian mother, a child in Gaza, or a soldier facing unspeakable choices.
Habakkuk’s complaint wasn’t met with condemnation. God didn’t silence his pain—He engaged it. We, too, are invited to bring our rawest questions to the Lord. Faith isn’t pretending things are okay. Faith is trusting that God remains good, even when our world is not.
“The righteous shall live by his faith.”
— Habakkuk 2:4b (ESV)
This verse, quoted later by Paul in Romans, anchors our hope in God’s character, not our circumstances.
God’s track record of restoration can give us hope today:
- In Egypt, He heard the cries of His people and led them through the Red Sea to freedom (Exodus 14).
- In exile, He promised to bring His people back from destruction (Isaiah 43:1–2).
- After centuries, He fulfilled His promise by reestablishing the nation of Israel in 1948—proving His covenant is never forgotten (Isaiah 66:8).
These are not just ancient stories—they are testaments of God's consistent nature.
“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children
of Jacob, are not consumed.”
— Malachi 3:6 (ESV)
He was faithful then. He is faithful now.
Even If the Worst Happens, We Can Rejoice
Habakkuk ends his book not with a resolution, but with a revolution of the heart:
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on
the vines... yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my
salvation.”
— Habakkuk 3:17–18 (ESV)
This isn’t a celebration of suffering. It’s an act of defiant trust. Even if we lose everything, we will still find hope in our Savior.
“God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the
deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.”
— Habakkuk 3:19 (ESV)
What Can We Do in a Time of War?
You may feel powerless watching the news or scrolling through photos of destruction. But even the smallest acts matter. Here are ways you can bring hope:
- Pray deeply and specifically for those caught in conflict.
- Give generously to trusted organizations offering food, shelter, and trauma care.
- Write or call government officials to advocate for humanitarian aid for those being persecuted.
- Open your heart or your home to displaced families or refugees of persecuted peoples.
- Support children affected by war through sponsorship or prayer.
- Be present to someone who is grieving—even if you don’t have the perfect words.
- Support troops and their families who are fighting for justice!
Remember: it is not always our big gestures that heal, but our small faithfulness that builds a path to restoration.
God does not ignore war. He enters it. He weeps over it. He redeems it. The cross is proof that He doesn’t save us from suffering—He saves us through it.
He is the same God who parted seas, who regathered scattered people, and who will one day wipe away every tear. Until then, may we be vessels of His compassion, carriers of His peace, and witnesses of His faithfulness.
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