The days in which Habakkuk preached were a dark time for the church in the Old Testament. God's people were suffering at the hands of others in the community, and the law of God was being sidelined in society. The prophet finds the situation intolerable. He questions why God would allow such things to happen and to continue. Why is God not doing something about the suffering and injustice?

Habakkuk learns that the just shall live by faith even though the covenant nation itself is about to be destroyed, and the prophecy ends with a psalm of joyful praise to God. And so we learn, right along with the prophet, that no matter what is swirling around us, good or ill, we are to place our full trust in the sovereign Lord of the universe. He is the one who is in full control, and he cares for his people.