Weltschmerz is a term coined by the German author Jean-Paul, from the German, literally world-pain, also world-weariness. In its original meaning in the Deutsches Wörterbuch (German dictionary by Brothers Grimm) it denotes a deep sadness about the inadequacy or imperfection of the world.
One of the things we are battling, apart from our fight against the corona virus, is weariness and vexation. We keep thinking that the end of lockdown has come, now we can come out of quarantine, life is going to be normal again, we can pick up where we left off and finally move on with life. Then, bam, the announcement comes, the period of shutdown has been extended and you go, ‘Oh no, not again, when will this end’!
We are not just tired, but also bewildered at the turn of events as we haven’t faced anything like this before. We are flummoxed with this new way of life and how to process it. We are seeking answers for the many questions that plague our mind.
The prophet Habakkuk in the Bible can surely identify with us, for he also lived in a time and season that raised questions in his mind. He was puzzled about many things and he set about seeking answers to his genuine doubts. His book is an apt read for this season, being an accurate reflection of his mindset and his progress through his perplexity.
Let’s see what he was worried about and how he resolved his problems.
Habakkuk noted that his nation had become filled with violence and wrongdoing. Everywhere he looked, he saw strife, conflict and destruction. Habakkuk knew that he and his people were chosen by God and belonged to Him. The why did God choose to be silent and without taking any action when the nation was filled with such violence and conflict? Why did He not bring justice and back up His law by punishing those who did evil?
God’s reply was that He was going to punish and discipline Israel by an enemy nation. Now Habakkuk is even more confused and at a loss. His question: How could You God, our own Protector and Preserver, sell us to our bitter foes? How could You use foreigners who are more corrupt to discipline us, Your own people who are trying to live by Your laws? How could You, a holy God Who hates treachery, use a wicked people to fulfil Your will and Your purposes, especially with regards to Your own inheritance?
Habakkuk’s question wasn’t a matter of doubting his God or testing Him, but a dispute and puzzle of faith!
Many of us can identify with Habakkuk’s quest of of faith. We are not questioning God and His power, but His seeming abandonment of the righteous. We are often puzzled about how and why the bad people seem to thrive and prosper, while those who strive to live and be good are put at the mercy and behest of the same vicious ones? Why would a holy and righteous God use renegades who delight in brutality to rule over or penalize the good people? If He wanted to streamline His people, why not do it some other way than allowing their lives to be under the mercy of the merciless? That’s the predicament we will face with God, at one time or another!
Note that Habakkuk did not question God, but genuinely wanted clarifications for what stumped him about God. He knew his God and therefore could not understand this aspect of God – how could He use the unrighteous His instruments? It went contrary to all that Habakkuk knew of God, His ways and His nature!
Habakkuk not only enquired and voiced out questions to clarify his honest confusion, but he also waited and gave time for God to get back to him with a reply. He said “I will stand like a guard and watch. I will wait to see what the Lord will say to me. I will wait and learn how He answers my questions.” (Hab 2:1 ERV). He not only asked questions, but also looked and listened for His answer, stoid watch for like a watchman on the walls of a city.
Habakkuk’s dedication and devotion to wait until he heard from God are the key to his hearing God and a mark of his trust in God. He knew that God would indeed answer him and not ignore his search of faith. His willingness and faithfulness to watch until he received an answer from God demonstrates his stance and stand of faith.
This is where we fail and we are different from Habakkuk. Oftimes we do not have the tenacity or the patience to tarry for an answer from God. We ask or raise an enquiry, but then we scurry away do our own thing. We do not give time for God to answer nor watch for His reply. We move on to our next project that captures our attention and then form our own conclusions about what constitutes the answer to our queries. We don’t listen to what God has to say and so erroneously conclude many things, especially about the nature of God. ‘God tells the man who cares’ is a true saying, for you need to understand that He has His timing. In the right season in the correct moment, He will always answer the one who cares to wait for Him.
God did answer Habakkuk and gave him to understand that when the wicked had fulfilled their role as a tool to discipline the righteous, they would be punished. God would not overlook their evil deeds, but in the due season would destroy those who make violence a way of life. Their turn would come when they would indeed drink of the cup of God’s wrath and destruction. God would call to account those who trust in riches and feel safe from trouble because of it, the reason they feel safe to bully others. They think they are inaccessible, but God has His own time to deal with them.
In seasons of distress, when evildoers seem to go unpunished, it is time for ‘the just to live by faith’. In the season of trouble it is important to realize that God is still on the throne. Soon there will come a day when the knowledge of Him would cover the earth as waters cover it.
While the unrighteous are busy gathering riches by hook or crook so that they would be protected and free from disaster, God’s people will trust in Him. God assures Habakkuk that those who are truly innocent will be preserved through the coming judgment and oppression by their godly lifestyle for God truly rewards the right way of life.
In contrast, those that are full of evil desires, greed and extortion will not be able to withstand God’s judgements nor His punishments. They will face the consequences of their conduct and careless life.
In spite of troubled lives, we need to realize that God is indeed on the throne and one day the whole earth would recognize and acknowledge the presence and glory of God. This is our anchor and safety that will hold us to right conduct and trust. Ultimately, those who choose to live unruly and unscrupulous lives will be punished. They will not escape surely, even though for now it looks as if they are successful and untouchable.
With his questions answered and his focus clarified, Habakkuk now responds with a prayer, a song and a confession of faith.
He prays to God to demonstrate His power as of old and pleads with Him to remember to be merciful, even when He is angry with His people and doling out His punishments.
He composes a song proclaiming the might and majesty of God, with joy declaring His glory and extolling His power over all, now that his questions have been answered.
He also makes a decision and a resolve to thank God, whatever may happen or whichever circumstance he may find himself in – loss or gain. He determines that he will still sing and thank God, content that God is the One who keeps him safe, always.
He ends with the bold and positive declaration that “The Lord God causes me to be strong. He makes my feet run safely over the rocks and hills, like a deer ‘s feet.”
Habakkuk found a way out of his doubts and a means to overcome his Weltschmerz, his world-weariness.
He took his troubles to God, watched and waited for Him to answer, thus finding a solution to his questions. He found rest as well as solace in the ensuing vision he had of God and His power towards those who are His very own.
How are you handling your questions and queries, your misgivings and your misfortunes, your woes and your Weltschmerz?
Are you drowning yourself in some addiction or taking it out your frustration on others or bullying those under you?
Or are you imitating a man who also had doubts, but found a way out to solid faith?
Learn from and imitateHabakkuk iin knowing how to handle your deepest anguish.
Turn and return to God for closure on your concerns and compelling issues.
Move over from a world-view that gives you Weltschmerz to a God-view that enlarges your vision to see beyond the natural, by faith!
https://www.worshipsong.com/component/melody/songdetails/we-must-wait
We Must Wait
Verse 1
I must wait wait wait on the Lord
I must wait wait wait on the Lord
And learn my lessons well
In His timing He will tell me
What to do where to go and what to say
Verse 2
We must wait wait wait on the Lord
We must wait wait wait on the Lord
And learn our lessons well
In His timing He will tell us
What to do where to go and what to say
Verse 3
You must wait wait wait on the Lord
You must wait wait wait on the Lord
And learn Your lessons well
In His timing He will tell you
What to do where to go and what to say
CCLI Song # 38222
Randy Thomas
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