Tim Hughes’ song ‘When the Tears Fall’ starts with the line ‘I’ve had questions without answers’, a sentiment most of us can identify with. The life of faith answers many questions, but leaves us still with many unanswered questions (and even perhaps creates some for us!) Habakkuk is just one of the prophets who brought his questions to God (and found some of the answers he did get even more baffling than his questions!) This short book ends with his unequivocal decision to praise God no matter what the circumstances; as Joyce Meyer writes, ‘we need to allow our difficulties to help us develop “hinds’ feet”. When we have hinds’ feet, we will not stand still in terror in the face of our problems. Instead, we will walk and make progress through our trouble, suffering, responsibility or whatever is trying to hold us back.’
‘I’ve had questions without answers.
I’ve known sorrow, I have known pain
But there’s one thing that I cling to:
You are faithful; Jesus, You’re true.
When hope is lost,
I call You Saviour.
When pain surrounds
I call You Healer.
When silence falls,
You’ll be the song within my heart.
In the lone hour of my sorrow
Through the darkest night of my soul
You surround me, You sustain me:
My defender for ever more.
When hope is lost,
I call You Saviour.
When pain surrounds,
I call You Healer.
When silence falls
You’ll be the song within my heart
And I will praise You
I will praise You
When the tears fall.’ (‘When The Tears Fall’, Tim Hughes)