In Genesis 3:5 there is a deceptive truth spoken from a liar to the ears and hearts of ones who were willing to listen and act on the information. A statement that, while true, tickled the curiosity and rationale of a couple that were intrigued by the idea of being like their Creator.

“For God knows that on the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will become like God, knowing good and evil.” (Gen 3:5).

It is a foregone conclusion that suffering gets a bad wrap. Why wouldn't it? Nobody likes suffering. It is by definition a bad thing. There is low-grade suffering like, "Darn, I missed the bus." There is average suffering like "That didn't go as expected." And then there is tragic suffering that occurs because of paradigm altering catastrophe or loss.

The Bible’s answers to difficult questions is going to ask us as believers to make two commitments.

You will notice that the book of Habakkuk has similarities to the book of Job. In fact, I believe it would be accurate to say that Habakkuk is a mini-Job book…

Next, we see God’s provision and avenue of rescue from the suffering and brokenness of this world. God tells Moses to construct the bronze serpent and gives instruction to trust as the avenue out of their current state. The application is striking…

A point of application is we see the difference between complaining to God and complaining about God. Scripture is loaded with instances when believers complain to God about circumstances. Indeed, entire books of the Old Testament are dedicated to the exploration of tough questions related to God's sovereignty in the valleys of life.

Jesus continues by helping us to see His role in our redemption is not condemnation, rather the inference is that our fallen nature already accomplishes this…

If there is a negative force that is causing bad things to happen, and this results in a void, or shadow over what is right in God’s good creation then we are saying God’s sovereignty is voluntarily limited and truncated by events that do not go as He planned.

"Why!?" is a perfectly valid question for Habakkuk to ask. It demonstrates that he cannot reconcile bad events with a good God. Wrestling with the problem of evil is common among those who experience it's destruction. If God is good, why does tragedy happen? If God is good, why does evil win? How can I look at the mess around me and conclude that God is in control, much less cares?

Captain Ahab is a man obsessed with the thing, the White Whale, that changed his life.  The White Whale is his nemesis, an uncontrollable element of life that has left him lame and threatened his reality.  Now Ahab is intent on destroying the thing that has broken him.  Ahab's life was that of a whaler, sea captain and successful merchant.  Now he is uprooted, physically changed, and the dominance he felt over his life’s direction is torn and changed by the will and force of an outside entity with a mind of its own.  The White Whale intends to destroy Ahab and has the power to do so. (Job 41:10)

There are seasons of life when the big questions come to mind and trouble our faith. We read about tragedy in the news every other day, hear of friends or loved ones experiencing life changing circumstances, and read the deeply heartfelt laments found in scripture. When life appears under control, these hard events are mournful and draw our sympathy. When life is a struggle, we join the laments in concert and through the tears and confusion ask God for answers. Difficult circumstances can lead us to a place where we throw the gauntlet at the foot of the throne and ask God million dollar questions.