When Life Doesn’t Make Sense | Living By Faith In Dark Times
Title
When God Doesn’t Make Sense: Remembering Who He Is When Life Doesn’t Add Up
Linked Scripture References
Key Topics (from list)
Faith, Perseverance, Justice, Grace, The Gospel, The Holy Spirit
Full Synopsis
This sermon continues the Living by Faith in Dark Times series through the book of Habakkuk, focusing on Habakkuk 1:12 – 2:1. Pastor Brian opens with a personal story of losing his engineering job — a season filled with confusion, fear, and questioning God’s plan. Through that experience, he parallels Habakkuk’s cry to God: “Lord, I don’t understand what You’re doing.”
The prophet Habakkuk laments Judah’s corruption and pleads for God’s justice, but God’s answer is shocking — He will use the ruthless Babylonians to bring judgment. Habakkuk wrestles with a holy God using wicked people to accomplish His purpose. Yet rather than abandoning faith, he anchors himself in what he knows to be true about God.
Pastor Brian highlights three guiding truths for believers when life doesn’t make sense:
- Remember Who God Is.
When circumstances are confusing, return to the foundation: God is eternal (“from everlasting”), holy, faithful, and just. Like Habakkuk, we can remind ourselves, “You are my God, my Rock.” - Recognize Our Limited Understanding.
We may never see the full picture of God’s plan. His holiness demands justice, but His mercy provides redemption through Jesus — the ultimate answer to sin and suffering. - Remain Where God Has Placed You.
Habakkuk chooses to “stand at his watch” and wait for God’s answer. Likewise, faith means staying faithful in the job, family, or calling God has given you — even when His timing feels silent.
The message moves from reflection to gospel application: just as God used Babylon to judge Judah’s sin, He sent His Son, Jesus, to bear the judgment we deserved. “God allowed the worst thing to happen to the best person,” Pastor Brian reminds, so that redemption could reach all who trust in Him.
Ultimately, the sermon invites listeners to a resilient faith that remembers God’s character when His actions are hard to understand. God’s justice and love meet perfectly at the cross — proof that He can be trusted even in the darkest times.
Memorable Lines & Takeaways
- “We must remember who God is when we don’t understand what God is doing.”
- “Faith means standing your post even when you don’t like God’s answer.”
- “God allowed the worst thing to happen to the best person — so you could be forgiven.”
- “He hasn’t changed from who He was yesterday when things were good. He’s still faithful today.”
- Bible Study Discussion Questions
- When have you experienced a time when God’s plan didn’t make sense? How did you respond?
- What truths about God’s character help you stay grounded when life feels uncertain?
- Habakkuk stood at his “watch” and waited on God. What does it look like for you to “stand” faithfully where God has placed you?
- Why do you think God sometimes uses painful or unexpected means to accomplish His purposes?
- How does remembering God’s holiness change the way you view justice and mercy?
- In what ways does the gospel — Jesus taking the punishment we deserved — reshape your trust in God’s goodness?
- How can our church community encourage one another to remain faithful in seasons of confusion or suffering?
