Supplies: Bible; computer, tablet or smart phone (optional); paper and markers (optional)
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What’s your favorite Disney movie song? I bet I know it! Not that I can guess what your choice is—too many to choose from. But I’m certain I know the song. I mean, let’s be honest. Disney has a knack for developing catchy toe-tappers that worm their way into your heart and brain. Sometimes the latter more than the first. One in particular comes from “The Lion King.” It details the life philosophy held by Timon, Pumbaa, and eventually Simba in a way that had every preschooler smiling…and every parent ready to stab their eardrums. (Don’t remember? Check out the video together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abjAqvdGZgM )
In the song, we learn that if you’re troubled or discouraged by something in your life, the best way to deal with it is, essentially, to not. Don’t deal with it. Ignore it. Brush it away. It is a “problem-free philosophy.” It sounds great on the surface, right? Just don’t worry about it. But Simba learns, as we all do, that many of life’s problems can’t be brushed aside. We can try to just ignore them, but that doesn’t make them go away. They just hover in the corner of our brains waiting to pounce back at us. Not so Hakuna Matata.
READ
Today we’re wrapping up Habakkuk. Like Simba, Habakkuk’s been dealing with some stressful circumstances in his present. He takes his complaint to God who is so faithful! He responds to Habakkuk by telling the prophet that God is letting the Babylonians defeat the Israelites to teach them a lesson. Habakkuk’s not content with that idea, either, so he issues another complaint to God. This time, God gives Habakkuk a snapshot of the future. He reveals that, while Israel will suffer for their sins now, they will eventually be redeemed. And Babylon will be crushed for their sins as well. Read Habakkuk 3 to see his response.
THINK
The first verse lets us know that this isn’t just a prayer—it’s a song. And it only takes a couple of verses before we realize it’s a song of praise! After all of these questions and rebuttals, Habakkuk ends with an amazing time of praise for the God of the universe. While always wonderful, praising God often isn’t unusual. God deserves our praise, after all! But in this situation, it’s not what we expect. You see, God hasn’t changed the situation. He didn’t alter the plan and set the Babylonians in a different direction. He didn’t send a king to teach the Israelites while defending them at the same time. He kept to plan A: defeat and slavery for His chosen people.
But still Habakkuk praises. Why?
In that slivered glimpse of the future, Habakkuk recognizes God’s hand at work throughout this whole situation. He sees the bigger picture, a luxury few of us get. Habakkuk learns the truth of Romans 8:28—And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. Isn’t that an awesome verse? God works for the good. The good. In all things. ALL! Everything God is doing, he’s doing for the good of his children. Habakkuk learned that even the defeat of Judah by the meanest neighbors around would be used for their good eventually.
APPLY
We all struggle with different seasons in our life, just like Habakkuk did. People get sick or lose jobs. We have trouble in school and at work. At times, we feel like God is letting the bullies win. In those times, we have choices about how we handle the difficulties. We can get mad at God. We can try and forget the problems and sing “Hakuna Matata.” Or, we can learn from Habakkuk and trust God. Remember, God is always good. He is always loving. He is always righteous, which means he does the right thing in each and every situation. Sometimes are struggles happen because we made sinful choices. Sometimes they happen because of other peoples’ sinful choices. And sometimes…they just happen. But in it all, we can hold on to the truth in Romans 8:28 and, like Habakkuk did, trust that God is still at work and bringing good.
As a family, take a memory verse challenge this week and learn Romans 8:28. This is a verse that can really help you in tough moments when you have it hidden in your heart. Help each other memorize this verse. Maybe you can work together to make a sign of the verse and hang it somewhere everyone will see it, like the fridge or the bathroom mirror.
PRAY
Father God, we know that your are in control. And we know that you are loving and good. But there are times when it’s hard to remember that in the middle of difficult times. Would you help us keep Habakkuk’s lesson in our hearts and the truth that you are working everything—everything—to our good when we choose to surrender our lives to your Son. Thank you for that comfort and hope, Lord! In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen
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