The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul

“Jacob, Job, and Habakkuk all declared war on God.  They all stormed the battlements of heaven.  They were all defeated, yet they all came away from the struggle with uplifted souls.  They paid a price in pain.  God allowed the debate, but the battle was fierce before peace was established (144).”

“Indeed, for the transforming power of God to change our lives, we must wrestle with Him.  We must know what it means to fight with God all night if we are also to know what it means to experience the sweetness of the soul’s surrender (139).”

“Yet Job was satisfied.  Even though God gave no answers, Job’s questions were put to rest.  He received a higher answer than any direct reply could have provided.  God answered Job’s questions not with words but with Himself.  As soon as Job saw who God is, Job was satisfied.  Seeing the manifestation of God was all that he needed.  He was able to leave the details in God’s hands (142).”

“With the appearance of God, all of Habakkuk’s angry protests ceased.  Suddenly the tone of his speech changed from one of bitter despair to one of unwavering confidence and hope:  “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior”  (Hab. 3:17-18).  Habakkuk was now as fierce in his joy as he had been in his despair.  He was able to rest absolutely in God’s sovereignty (143).”