Comfort in Questions

My heart cries out like Habbakuk


O Lord, how long shall I cry for help

and you will not hear?


Why do you make me see injustice

Why do you idly look at wrong?


The law is paralyzed

and justice never goes forth


Thousands of years ago

we howled the same cries into the night


Faced unbeatable enemies–too powerful, too strong

to fight, but Lord


You went out for the salvation of your people

You crushed the head of the house of the wicked


You pierced with his own arrows

the heads of his warriors


When we are not strong enough for the fight

You turn their own strength against them


Still my heart cries out with confusion, sorrow

Fellow believers chide me for doubt


Lord, I do not doubt


You are listening

You guard my steps


I have walked in the sunlight of your miracles

felt your comforting hand upon my shoulder


But why?

Lord, I have so many questions why


Why did you let her die

and in a way she dreaded her whole life


Why did you not protect him

though he called out to you so many times


Why did you let people do such terrible things

in your name


In the gospels, there are many questions

Jesus is asked 187. He himself asks over three hundred


He answers eight


Lord, I come to you with my questions

Can we sit together this night by the fire?