How do we brace ourselves for change—change that we neither wanted nor asked for? How do we keep our footing in a chaotic world? Because God’s wisdom is timeless, we can look back to earlier times and events in Bible history and get answers to modern day questions.

If you stop and think about it, the hour in which we are living seems to resemble the events that happened in the Old Testament book of Habakkuk. In dismay, the prophet Habakkuk cried out 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. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.” (Habakkuk 1:2-4)

I hear the anxiety, fear, and discouragement in Habakkuk’s voice—as I hear it in many voices today. The prophet complained about society crumbling all around him and God seemed to not be listening to his prayer. “Earth to God”, as the modern day song depicts, seems to echo the plea of the human heart in times like these.

Is it fathomable that what appears to be the silence of God while our world thrashes about in self-destructive mode is, in reality, the patient timing of an awakening of spiritual revival and renewal around the globe? In verse five of chapter one, God answered, “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.” God goes on to tell Habakkuk that He is going to use the ungodly Babylonians for His purposes.

Today, many of us are wondering how to brace ourselves for the inevitable changes that our world is facing. Habakkuk 2:4 gives us an answer, “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness.” Our commitment and steadfastness to God will give us the strength and stability that we need to live victoriously in this shaken world. We will continue to see God’s goodness unfold right before our eyes as we live out our loyalty to Him. The world may become unhinged, but as believers, we have a firm foundation—as we brace ourselves!