The Remedy Is Worse Than the Disease

The oft-quoted axiom titling this post is from the essay, "Of Seditions and Troubles," by Sir Francis Bacon.  In context, it refers to the putting down of seditions by military force and warns that such action should only be entrusted to men of "valor and good repute" lest they themselves stage the next coup.  In other words, "Don't use troublemakers to get rid of troublemakers."

While Bacon's famous words were penned in 1601, a very similar sentiment was recorded 2400 years earlier by the prophet Habakkuk.  In 600 BC, the nation of Judah was once again in spiritual, moral and social decline.  The dramatic reforms of King Josiah had failed to carry over to the next generation and the resulting decent into injustice and corruption troubled Habakkuk greatly.

But after calling out for divine intervention and hearing God's reply, Habakkuk was pretty sure his people were in for a remedy worse than their disease.  Specifically, God was "raising up the Babylonians" to bring judgment on Judah.  If Habakkuk was distraught before, he was simply beside himself now.

Sure, the people of Judah had disobeyed God and deserved His discipline.  But the Babylonians were pagans!  They didn't even pay lip service to Jehovah.  How could He use them to serve justice on His own people?  The three chapters of Habakkuk are really all about how the prophet, with God's help, wrestled that paradox to the ground and came to a fuller understanding of God's sovereign rule over all the world and history.

As I observe the current state of "Christianity" and "the Church," especially in America, sometimes I feel a bit like Habakkuk.  No doubt, revival is needed.  And perhaps it will take some chastisement from the Lord to get us there.  But I still struggle with how the "sinners" often (seem to) prevail over the "saints" in social and moral conflict.  Why does a high-profile athlete who says she loves Jesus  go from national hero to tabloid target?  Why does a businessman who states his personal conviction about the sanctity of marriage go from admired entrepreneur to despised bigot?  Has God decided to quit standing up for His people?  Are we so far gone that He is just going to let the world run us over?

Like Habakkuk, I don't have all the answers… and, also like Habakkuk, probably couldn't handle them even if I did.  But I do know that God is on His throne and history is HIS-story.  Righteousness WILL prevail in the end.  I just hope the just can learn to live by faith along the way without the need for a bitter pill.