The book of the prophet Habakkuk transports us to a turbulent period, shortly before the devastating Babylonian invasion that would lead Judah into exile. Habakkuk, whose name means "embrace" or "one who wrestles," is not a prophet who speaks primarily to the people, but rather wrestles in prayer with God Himself, expressing deep anguish and questions about divine justice.

He cries out to God, perplexed by the impunity of wickedness in Judah and, later, shocked by the news that God would use cruel Babylon to judge His own people. How can a just God tolerate such iniquity and use an even more wicked instrument? The divine answer is clear: "Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him; but the righteous shall live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:4).

This powerful declaration is the heart of the book and one of the most cited truths in the New Testament, echoing in Paul (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11) and in Hebrews (10:38), pointing to justification by faith in Jesus Christ. Habakkuk teaches us that, even in the face of mysteries and injustices that defy our understanding, the answer is unwavering trust in God's sovereignty and character.

The prophet, after hearing the divine revelation, concludes with an extraordinary hymn of praise and trust, deciding to rejoice in the Lord even when everything around him crumbles. For the contemporary reader, Habakkuk offers a model of how to confront pain and injustice with faith, reminding us that God is faithful to fulfill His promises and that our ultimate hope lies in His salvation.