神给哈巴谷的回答的最后一部分，真是既有力又简短。神知道自己在做甚么，哪怕环境正像一辆失控的车子在冲下山坡一样。「全地的人都当在他面前肃敬静默」，这句话包括了一切事情及每一个人──敬虔的人和异教徒。有时神颇为直接地对我们说话──正如祂在这里一样──把我们可能不想知道，但却肯定需要知道的事情告诉我们。

如果我对这节经文的理解是正确的话，那神的意思应该是：「停止那些没完没了地问题如：『为甚么神这样做？』和『为甚么神那样做？』等。你们要明白我知道自己在做甚么，因为我是历史的主。」我们一旦确定了神知道祂在做甚么，一切疑惑就都会消失。而这不单是适用于个人的问题上，也适用于全球性的问题。

只要我们愿意，那些为哈巴谷的心带来安慰和亮光的话，也可以为我们的心带来安慰。你几乎从每天的报纸上都会看到强奸、谋杀、罪行、不公义和贪污等报导，但是你若从报纸转眼仰望神，就会发现自己所看到的是那位至善者、那位完全者。然后会有甚么事情发生呢？你的心不会再充满恐惧，而会出奇的平安。为甚么？因为你会明白，神在祂的宇宙的中心，祂正在实行祂的计划。正如有人说：「凡知道神在做甚么的人，永远都不需要问为甚么。」

The last part of God's answer to Habakkuk is as forceful as it is brief. It is that He knows what He is doing, even when circumstances seem to be speeding downhill like a car out of control. The phrase "let all the earth be silent before him" includes everything and everybody - the godly as well as the heathen. Sometimes God speaks pretty straight to us - just as He is doing here and tells us things that we might not want to know, but things we certainly need to know.

If I understand this verse correctly, God is saying, in effect: "Stop asking endless questions such as: 'Why does God do this?' and 'Why does God do that?' Understand the fact that I know what I am doing and that I am the Lord of history." Once we make up our minds that God knows what He is doing, then all confusion vanishes. And that applies not only to the personal issues of life but to the global ones as well.

The same Word that brought comfort and illumination to Habakkuk's heart can, if we let it, comfort our own hearts. If you look at almost any day's newspaper you will find reports of rape, murder, crime, injustice and corruption. But if you turn from your newspaper and look up at God you will find yourself looking at the Ultimate, the Absolute. And what will happen? Instead of your heart being filled with fear, it will become strangely peaceful. Why? Because you will realise that God is at the centre of His universe and He is working out His purposes. And as someone said: "He who knows what God is doing need never ask why."