I adore children’s boundless curiosity. My daughter Mila, now three, is fully immersed in the ‘why?’ phase of life. Her constant stream of questions never fails to bring a smile to my face. Sometimes, they’re surprisingly logical. Other times… well, parents, you understand. ‘Can I fly if I wear a cape and jump off the couch?’
Mila’s questions, in their innocence, not only amuse me but also make me ponder and introspect. Like most toddlers, she exudes a sense of authority. But beneath this facade lies a deep-seated need for knowledge, understanding, and a sense of security in a world that’s still vast and enigmatic to her. I believe this is a sign of Habakkuk’s relationship with God.
Habakkuk is a book of questions. It begins not with praise or prophecy but with a desperate cry:
“O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?” (Habakkuk 1:2)
Habakkuk sees injustice, violence, and suffering and doesn’t hesitate to ask hard questions: Why aren’t You doing something, God? Why do You allow evil to prosper? Why do the wicked seem to win?
At first glance, it can seem like Habakkuk is doubting. But actually, he’s doing what my daughter does. He’s turning to the One he trusts. His questions aren’t signs of rebellion; they’re signs of a relationship. Like a child who runs to a parent for answers, Habakkuk runs to God.
And what does God do? He listens. He answers. It’s not always in the way Habakkuk expected, but He doesn’t shut down the questions. In fact, by the end of the book, Habakkuk has moved from confusion to trust:
“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
True faith isn’t about never questioning. It’s about knowing where to direct those questions. Just as I cherish Mila’s curiosity, even when she’s convinced she knows it all, God cherishes our inquiries. He’s not irritated. He’s not offended. He’s a loving Father, unthreatened by our questions and not weary of our voices.
So I ask, what questions are you carrying right now?
Frank D.