Habakkuk 1:1-5 NIV
[1] The prophecy that Habakkuk the prophet received. [2] How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? [3] Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. [4] Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted. [5] “Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.
When Habakkuk cried to the LORD about the violence, murder, and betrayal God answered with His plan to punish the guilty, and God still has a plan to punish the guilty. Although He is just, God is merciful, not wanting any to perish. That is why He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on Calvary so that all who would seek life may find life.
We are living in God’s day of mercy. But He will not hold back His wrath forever. He will not hold His peace indefinitely.
The Scriptures tell us that a day of Judgment is appointed unto every man, and every man will have to stand before Him and give an account. Then He will part the nations and place the goats on His left and the sheep on His right.
Those are words to describe the two different types of people: those who have not accepted Jesus, and those who have. The goats represent those who have rejected the Savior, and the sheep represent those who have had their sins forgiven by accepting Jesus as their personal LORD and Savior.
Our God is just but He is also merciful. Today is the day of Salvation. Tomorrow is promised to no man. No one can ensure they will make it to tomorrow, so why put off your relationship with Christ? One day God will punish the guilty with an eternal punishment. On that day, what will the LORD say to you? Will He welcome you into His Kingdom and will you be told to depart from Him?