The Saturday before Easter (two days ago) I was supposed to have finished reading through the entire Bible in 90 days, but I am not done yet. I felt a lot of feelings about it, from anger to disappointment and a whole bunch of other feelings mixed in there. I felt like a failure, but was reminded by my husband that when I set out to do this, there was not a global pandemic with a stay at home order. I did not plan on my schedule being turned upside down, being responsible for helping my children with elearning being added on top of what was a huge undertaking. I will finish reading the Bible, all “90 days”, it just will take longer than I planned.
Habbakkuk sought answers, Zephaniah reminds Judah that judgement is coming and they will be better off if they repent , and Haggai told the people to build the temple. All three of these books are just a few pages, but they remind us that our responses and actions have consequences. Some of the actions are positive, such as being blessed for rebuilding the temple and some are negative, such as judgement on Judah for their idol worship.
By choosing to follow the Lord, we can point the way for someone to see Him or do just the opposite with our sinful actions, lead someone away from the Lord. Are your actions a shining light pointing towards the Lord or do they do the opposite?
Passage:
Habakkuk, Zephaniah & Haggai
Discovered:
Habakkuk
- Habakkuk: How long must I cry for help, Lord? I am surrounded by sin and violence.
- Lord: I am raising up the Babylonians against you, to destroy.
- Habakkuk: Why must the wicked be used as punishment/judgement?
- Lord: The plan will happen at its time and the righteous will live by faith.
- Woe/what sorrow to the Babylonians (& Israel) who were:
- greedy
- worked for evil gain
- violent
- drunks
- idol worshippers
- Those who labor for themselves grow weary for nothing.
- Habakkuk’s prayer: Lord, I am filled with awe by your glory, you trample nations for our salvation. Iw ill wait for disaster to strike our invaders and will rejoice in the strength of the Lord.
Zephaniah
- Word of God came to Zephaniah during King Josiah’s reign over Judah.
- Coming judgement on Judah: I will wipe away everything off the face of the earth, cut off their idol worship.
- The day of the Lord is near and I will search Jerusalem for the complacent and punish them, pour out their blood, will be devoured by His jealousy.
- Repent before the Lord, seek to do what is right and live humbly.
- Lord will bring judgement against Judah’s enemies: Gaza, Cherethites, Canaan, Philistines, Moab, Cushites, and Assyria.
- Jerusalem is a rebellious city that runs from God.
- It was a warning for you when I destroyed other nations, but you ignored it.
- I will judge the nations and pour out my wrath on them.
- Those who are left will be humble and seek refuge in the Lord and feel no shame.
- Rejoice and be glad the Lord has taken judgement from us.
- For the Lord is with you, living with you, He is a mighty savior.
Haggai
- Word of Lord came to Haggai (prophet), Zerubbabel (governor) and Joshua (priest).
- You live in fancy homes while my temple is in ruin. Go rebuild!
- There will be drought and famine until you rebuild, will work hard for little gain.
- They obeyed with excitement and began to rebuild the temple.
- Temple may not look like it’s previous glory but continue to work and do not worry, for I will restore it and its treasures.
- Righteousness cannot be spread, but uncleanliness/sin is contagious, so take care of your actions.
- Once the foundation of the temple was laid, they were to be blessed.
- Lord speaks to Haggai a 2nd time: I will overthrow foreign kingdoms and I will honor Zerubabbel as my signet ring.
Help me to remember:
judgement for my actions will come as it did for Judah, Israel and other nations. Obedience to the Lord will always be rewarded.
Lord, I ask that . . .
I focus on Your glory and seek to follow Your instructions, for my actions can lead others astray or influence them to seek You.
Heavenly Father, I am thankful for . . .
the blessings You send for the righteous.
