Habakkuk 2 - Day 898 (link to reading)
Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1-4 Commentary (workingpreacher.org): The Lord tells Habakkuk to do something that, if we think about it, may seem strange: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it.” This may mean that the runner is intended to run around holding the tablets, calling out the vision as she runs. Try reading while running; presumably the writing would have to be pretty large to be readable with all of the jarring ups and downs of even a brisk jog. Or, perhaps, this may mean that Habakkuk is to take out a billboard-like ad and write the vision large enough that anyone passing by may see and read it. Regardless, this is not the usual prophetic message to be spoken in the temple courtyard, or on a street corner, or on the palace steps. This is something different. God goes on in Habakkuk 2:3 to make a critical promise to the prophet, and the prophet’s people, waiting to hear God’s answer: There is still a vision for the appointed time. The key words here (one word in Hebrew, moed) are “appointed time.” This word in Hebrew is used to designate festival times in Israel’s worship (Leviticus 23:2), a time of birth (Genesis 17:21; 18:14; 21:2), seasonal migration (Jeremiah 8:7), and, yes, the end time (Daniel 8:19). “Appointed time” here means the right time, God’s time, the time in which God’s promise — the vision that still is not only readable for the runner, but in force for God’s people — God’s Word will come to pass. The people are called told to wait for it, and in the meantime to be faithful. Application: My measure of faith is based on my ability to trust the source of information. I trust God because, time and again, He has proven Himself to be trustworthy. Prayer: Lord, help my unbelief... Habakkuk 1 - Day 897 (link to reading)
Scripture: Habakkuk 1:3 Summary (insight.org): Habakkuk provides us one of the most remarkable sections in all of Scripture, as it contains an extended dialogue between Habakkuk and God (Habakkuk 1–2). The prophet initiated this conversation based on his distress about God’s “inaction” in the world. He wanted to see God do something more, particularly in the area of justice for evildoers...The book of Habakkuk offers us a picture of a prideful people being humbled, while the righteous live by faith in God (2:4). It reminds us that while God may seem silent and uninvolved in our world, He always has a plan to deal with evil and always works out justice . . . eventually. The example of the prophet Habakkuk encourages believers to wait on the Lord, expecting that He will indeed work out all things for our good (Romans 8:28). Application: Like Habakkuk, we have the same questions for God, "How long?" The prophet's example reminds us that God welcomes our interaction and even expects our frustration. Yet, God reminds us that His grace can and will penetrate the darkness surrounding us. Prayer: Lord, How long? Nahum 3 - Day 896 (link to reading)
Scripture: Nahum 3:1-19 Commentary (thebiblesays.com): The prophecy of Nahum was fulfilled exactly as predicted. When Nineveh fell to a coalition of Babylonians and Medes, the city was hidden for more than two thousand years until archaeologists uncovered her remains. The city’s first excavation was by the French archaeologist Paul Emile Botta in 1842. Five years later, the English archaeologist named Austen Henry Layard made a more impressive excavation. His book entitled, Nineveh and Its Remains: A Narrative of an Expedition to Assyria, records important findings such as King Sennacherib’s palace, the city walls, sculptures, gardens, etc. Application: How do I/we personalize these lessons from God? What can I/we learn from Nineveh being destroyed? Knowing what to do is not enough; I need to implement what I know. Prayer: Lord, have Your way in me... Nahum 2 - Day 895 (link to reading)
Scripture: Nahum 2:13 Commentary (thewarehouse.blog): There are no words in this world more frightening than God saying “I am your enemy!” Even though it would be the Babylonians who conquered Nineveh, it was ordained and allowed by the hand of God. Nineveh, who was known for burning cities to the ground, would have the same punishment inflicted on them. This is the judgment of God. This is the judgment that Christ absorbed. If we cannot come back to Christ after reading of God’s judgment, we have missed the story of the Scriptures. He took what we deserved and made a path to eternal life. he is worthy of all praise and glory. Application: God sent the prophet Jonah to warn Nineveh of the impending doom that was coming so the city repented. A hundred years later, we learn that the Assyrians have returned to their old ways so now they'll have to face the consequences. The lesson - faithfulness takes effort. Prayer: Holy Spirit, fill me afresh... Nahum 1 - Day 894 (link to reading)
Scripture: Nahum 1:1-7 Summary (insight.org): Nahum preached during the reign of King Manesseh, one of the most evil kings in Judah’s long history, a man who needed the pain of his own experience to teach him the lessons of being a good king. Commentator J. Barton Payne suggests that Manasseh’s great conversion took place late in his reign, around 648 BC, a mere half-dozen years before his death. That means Nahum preached during the darkest period in Judah’s history to that point, a time filled with idolatry of all kinds in a nation that had completely turned its back on God. The Lord’s willingness to send Nahum, whose name means “comfort,” into such a hopeless situation evidences His unrelenting and overwhelming grace. Application: "If all of your friends jumped off a bridge, would you jump off too?" The prophet Nahum reminds us that we have the freedom to make choices for ourselves. If we make good choices, then we can expect good results, and when we make bad choices, we should expect bad consequences. Unfortunately, most of the time, we don't get immediate feedback. Prayer: Lord, I choose You... |
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January 2024
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