Why? A Study of the Book of Habakkuk

By Dwayne R. Young BS MTH

Why? A Study of the Book of Habakkuk looks into the many questions humankind has concerning personal events as well as the events happening in the world of the past, present and future. Why? explores the mysterious works of the Lord in comparison to how humankind may see their own circumstances and their own questions about why the Lord does or does not always intervene to correct or judge. It takes a look into the unchanging nature of God and the faith one must have to push through day-to-day life while still questioning all that takes place in the world around us. Why? attempts to lead the reader into a more personal relationship with the Lord while trusting His ways and actions in times of illness, death, or other times of despair.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 4, 2024
• ISBN: 9798385010233

Dwayne R. Young BS MTH

Dwayne R. Young, BS, MTh, is the pastor of New Birth Baptist Church and former Bible College instructor of the Gateway Bible College. He holds a degree in Emergency Medical Care from Western Carolina University and served as a paramedic and administrator with Guilford County Emergency Services for 20 years. Early retirement from that field led him into the work of the ministry where he attended Gateway Bible College while also instructing there, graduating with a master’s degree in theology. He was the assistant pastor at Lawsonville Baptist Church before moving to New Birth Baptist as pastor in 2016. He graduated from both Western and Gateway with Summa Cum Laude honors while also being recognized as a University Scholar at Western. He has instructed various Bible courses including Habakkuk, Hebrews, Revelation, and the Works of Christ.

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Copyright © 2024 Dwayne R. Young, BS, MTh.

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ISBN: 979-8-3850-1021-9 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-1023-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023920537

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/29/2023

DEDICATION

To my wife Sheri and my son Jack, who simply allow me to do what I do.

To my grandmother Velma, who continued to ask why even into the ninety-fifth year of her long, rich, independent life.

To all those who have asked and will continue to ask the question Why? and seek the answers that may never come while we’re on this side of heaven.

CONTENTS

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1   The Immutability of God

Chapter 2   Habakkuk the Inquisitive Man

Chapter 3   Through Faith

Chapter 4   The Woes of the Works of Humankind

Chapter 5   The Conclusion of It All

Bibliography

FOREWORD

The question of why has most likely been asked by created humanity since the beginning. As a parent myself, I have to believe that when Cain murdered his own brother Abel that Adam and Eve looked at each other and asked why? The first time we read in the Bible of someone asking the question of why is Genesis 4:6. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenance fallen? God asked why but God knew the answer to the question before He ever asked Cain.

Even the only begotten Son of God once asked the question of why. While on the cross He asked the Father, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34) As you and I live this thing we call life we will many times ask ourselves, ponder, and contemplate the question why. Life is tough but thank God for grace, truth, and faith.

Pastor and author Dwayne Young in this book helps us to take one step closer in our attempt to find an answer. Pastor Young reminds everyone that Habakkuk was a man and a prophet who taught us that the just shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4) As I read this book I realized that even though life sometimes leaves me asking why, it is my faith that keeps me walking with Him, understanding He is the answer of all of life’s questions. I believe any Christian will grow spiritually as they journey with Pastor Young through the book of Habakkuk. The reader will find themself drawing one step closer to the Answer of one of life’s most difficult questions. Why?

Evangelist Chuck Perkins

Hope For Homes Ministries

Mebane, NC

PREFACE

I’m thankful that my mom took the time to record many of my firsts in a baby book. One entry included my first question: What that are? At a young age, we learn to question what is happening around us and to us. We begin to learn and remember through questions.

I have memories from as young as four years old when my family experienced two very disturbing and heartbreaking events in a short period of time. Our home was destroyed by a storm with myself, mom and my baby sister in the home as it was torn apart. Images of us working our way through the debris inside the house with mom leading the way while dad was working second shift are quite clear. Just a few days later, my great grandfather experienced a devastating stroke and eventually died just two days after my fourth birthday. I have to imagine my mom and dad asked why? I have to believe that my grandmother and her mom asked why? Surely the next several days brought even more questions with why leading the way.

Today, more questions have been asked by me and my family as to why events had to happen. Deaths, illnesses, injuries, and surgeries have been commonplace in my journey. Most have led to questioning the circumstances and yes, even questioning the Lord. As a result, I became intrigued by how often we question and search for the answers as to why things happen to us. My spiritual journey has led me to the Bible which has shown me that probing for answers to life’s questions is nothing new. The Book of Habakkuk jumped out at me as one that spoke loudly to my inquisitive mind, connecting me to the ways and actions of the man Habakkuk. It was through the Word of God that I found answers; in fact, I found THE answer in the person of Christ. This book is an attempt to share a portion of my spiritual journey through the many questions I have had and how I have found comfort in knowing that one day, the questions will all be answered or, they simply will no longer matter. My prayer is that you find that same comfort knowing that the Author and Finisher of our faith holds what we need – He is the answer.

Pastor Dwayne Young

INTRODUCTION

From the moment a child is born, its desire to know and understand is stimulated and its journey through a life of learning begins. Each day will present new and exciting challenges mixed with uncertainty and discouragement as the child’s desire to expand his or her knowledge of who he or she is and where he or she came from is put into motion. From the moment when Eve, in the garden, was tempted with the idea that her knowledge could be equal to God’s, human beings have been searching for all that we can know. In fact, some believe that knowledge is the ultimate power. In most gnostic belief systems, the sufficient cause of salvation is this knowledge of (acquaintance with) the divine.¹ However, to the Christian, knowledge is limited, but it is sufficient for salvation by faith in the