5 Look among the nations and watch– Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you. 6 For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans, a bitter and hasty nation which marches through the breadth of the earth, To possess dwelling places that are not theirs. Habakkuk 1:5-6
Trials come at people from all directions, even from above. God uses a variety of situations to refine and sharpen His tools. We live in a nation that has “In God We Trust” printed on our money, but as a nation our actions show almost everything but trust in God.
In Habakkuk we see the prophet crying out to God, about why He has done nothing about the sinfulness of Jewish society. When God answers it is with the surprising news that He will raise up the Chaldeans to judge His children. But don’t think they get a free pass, God will judge them also, after He has used them.
If God can use a wicked Chaldean nation to chasten His chosen people, He can use terrorists flying airplanes, or destructive hurricanes to do the same to us. We as individuals may not even need chastened, we may be getting refined into something better. Romans 8:28 tells us “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” That means evil people doing evil things can be used by God to accomplish His will.
Do I understand why He does this? No. All I know is we must look to God in times of trouble, mild and severe alike. We must attempt to discern what He would have us take from each situation and apply it to our lives. We must not forget that God at various times will use ungodly people to accomplish His will.