Zephaniah; Revelation 16

Here is the extent of spiritual blindness coupled with human pride: When God pours out His judgment on the earth in Revelation 16, millions die and the Earth itself is irreparably damaged. People will know these judgments come from God Himself.

Their response? Twice it says they refuse to repent of shedding innocent blood, and twice it says they curse God to His face… Now that’s just plain unintelligent – mortal people under horrific judgment, cursing the righteous, almighty Judge to His face! No wonder Scripture says “The FOOL has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” More to the point for me as I read this passage, I realize while I wouldn’t oppose my God like that, I’m fully capable of “mini-rebellions” against God’s authority in my life. Which, as I think about it – are just as unintelligent as bigger rebellions. The book of Hebrews speaks to my inner rebel today:

“To day if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”

Today, I’ll either hear a little better, or I’ll harden a little more.

Here’s to better listening…

Have a Blessed Tuesday!

Habakkuk; Revelation 15

Why do bad things happen to good people?

Habakkuk could have invented that question. He writes concerning the injustice of his time, and he is utterly perplexed by God’s seeming inactivity about it.

But God gives 3 responses to Habakkuk that leave no doubt who’s in charge – and who isn’t. God replies with a “what,” a “why,” and a “who.”

What will God do about injustice?

“The revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”

Why does God permit bad behavior and then judge it?

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”

Who is really in charge here?

“The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.”

In answering Habakkuk’s questions, God answers a lot of my questions, too. God says to Habakkuk, “I know injustice bothers you. It should – but chill – things are right on schedule. And a righteous outcome is a done deal – wait for it. All this has been permitted for one reason: a global declaration of My glory. One more thing, Habakkuk – I’m God – you’re not. Let everyone be silent before me.”

Looking at Earth-2011, a lot of the same questions surround our moment in history. But God’s timeless answers provide the same comfort today that they did in Habakkuk’s time. Aren’t you glad you know Him?

See you tomorrow!

Nahum; Revelation 14

As I read Nahum I was thinking about how God didn’t seem to have very much compassion for Ninevah.  (I don’t think Nahum was running for political office there).  He tells Judah that they will be able to walk through the city and be safe.  It sounds like they were not being treated very well. God doesn’t take too kindly to that.  Also their society had become debased. I believe He was giving them a  warning of what was going to happen. Although Ninevah brought these things upon herself, I believe God was giving her a chance to see her evil ways and repent. I’m grateful that God is compassionate like that because I know I need it. He did that with the so-called enemies to His people, how much more to His own people is He compassionate and merciful to! God says “humility comes before honor”. Let’s walk in humility as the Ninevites eventually did. God relented from the deviation that was going to be poured out on her because she humbled herself and turned from her wicked ways.  Sounds like good advice to me.

Micah 6-7; Revelation 13

            God’s people started complaining against Him; making excuses so they could go do whatever they wanted to do, then on Sundays (I know they went to temple on Saturdays and not Sundays) sacrifice a few animals and thought everything was all good. Horrible things started happening to them and they started blaming God and saying, “You have worn us out, it is all your fault.” God says to them, “How have I wearied you? What have I done to you?” Then he goes on to tell them the things He has done for them. He told them that He has “redeemed them from the house of Bondage.” Also, He tells them what He has required: Do justly, love kindness (mercy), and walk humbly before God.

            I have been like the Israelites; complaining about how hard it is to serve Him and why are bad things still happening to me? I lost focus of the simplicity of the Gospel. Many times I try to push through things on my own instead of relying on God’ grace. “God, help me walk through today; being kind to all, putting others ahead of myself, and be just in all I do. Without your help, I know that I struggle doing these things. Thank you for your help, I love you! Jesus, thank you that I have access to my Father through you. Amen.”

Micah 4-5; Revelation 12

I so appreciate how God communicates with us. Even when we’re doing wrong and not walking in His will, God is endeavoring to speak hope to us.

The Israelites were not living life right (the country as a whole); worshiping other gods which led to sexual perversions, injustice, sacrificing through their own little children, etc. There are consequences for wrong living; God was not cursing the Israelites but the way they were living brought about the horrible things they had to go through as a country. We know God wants to bless His people. What Israel had to go through was of their own doing because of the consequences of wrong living but in the end it brought them to a place of repentance and back in the right relationship with God.

Revelation 12 is a great depiction of what is going on in the spiritual realm, which we know very little about. It seems to me that in this chapter we see things played out in the spiritual realm that have not fully manifested in the natural realm. Spiritual realm first, then manifestation in the natural.

Micah 1-3; Revelation 11

In Revelation 11 God’s judgment of the gentile (non-Jewish) nations continues. Their judgment for rejecting Jesus takes the form of 2 witnesses who declare God’s word and are subsequently murdered.

God responds by raising them from the dead, taking them to heaven, and sending a massive earthquake. Two observations: 1) God always follows through on what He says. Just as He judged the Jewish nation for rejecting their Messiah, now He brings His prophesied judgment on the gentiles for the same reason. And 2) There are always consequences for rejecting God’s Word. Either something good doesn’t happen, or something bad does happen – either way it’s a bad idea to ignore God when He speaks. Or to put it in positive terms, it’s always a good idea to follow God’s Word. As Psalm 19 observes, “In keeping them (God’s Words) there is great reward.”

Have an excellent Thursday!

Jonah; Revelation 10

An old Bible teacher I once met gave this advice from the book of Jonah:

 “Don’t wait until you’re sitting on a beach in a pool of whale barf to do what God tells you.”

If you’re a follower of Jesus, then you know He’s called you to do some things. At Bayside, we call them “Connect, Grow, Serve, and Reach.” Jonah knew his calling as clearly as we know ours. But the Bible records his response: “Jonah ran away from the LORD.” So do we. God loved Jonah too much to let his disobedience get the last word. Same with us. In Jonah’s case, the remedy was a smelly, slimy, salty sea of grossness. Our remedy may not be as dramatic, but it will no doubt get our attention. Then it says: “The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.’ Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh.”  Jonah obeyed eventually, anyway. Wouldn’t it have been better for him to have succeeded without all the gastro-intestinal drama? The old Bible teacher had it right: “Don’t wait until you’re sitting on a beach in a pool of whale barf…”

Have a great Wednesday!

Obadiah; Revelation 9

Obadiah records God’s judgment against the people of Edom – the descendants of Esau. But it’s more than a pronouncement of doom – it’s a powerful reminder of how righteous and consistent God is. The Edomites had committed violent crimes against Israel, and God – in His own time – brought retribution. 

So often when we experience injustice, we wonder if God is watching, and why He doesn’t stop the evil or respond immediately to the perpetrators. But just because God is patient, it doesn’t mean He forgets or looks the other way from evil. Paul explains God’s ultimate justice:

“It is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.”

Translation: It may not be your timing or your method, but when all is said and done, God will balance all books and settle all scores. Evil will not go unpunished, and good will not go unrewarded. And in the end, everything will be right – and make sense. Aren’t you glad the God who forgives – also keeps track of unforgiven rights and wrongs – so you don’t have to?

See you tomorrow!

Amos 7-9; Revelation 8

Two things strike me out of Amos’s prayers and prophecies. First, is how patient and longsuffering God is with His people. It’s truly amazing that a God so holy and intolerant of evil – would tolerate the repeated defections of his people – for years. It’s remarkable to know that His mercy holds back His justice – to give us time to grow out of things that are so offensive to Him. The second thing that hits me out of this passage is that God’s mercy is a limited-time offer. He didn’t withhold His judgment against Israel forever, and He won’t stand for open-ended disobedience from us, either. There’s a certain urgency to this truth; my opportunities to obey God with my life are limited. Every time the sun goes down, the opportunities of that day go with it. Paul put it this way, “Redeem the time.”  Thoughts?

Have a blessed Monday!

Amos 4-6; Revelation 7

There may be an application from Amos 4 to us Christians today, if we lose track of the call on our lives to follow Christ’s instruction to love God more than we love ourselves and love the people around us as much as we love ourselves. That would mean ensuring that we don’t hold back from our own surplus assets when we know that the family next door is facing eviction or hunger. It also means doing what we can to befriend the unfriendly so as to make the people around us know they are the object of our love and affection because we are modeling Jesus’ behaviors.

In truth, when faced with the test of loving God more than being comfortable, I all too often sleep in, or allow myself to go make a sandwich to eat instead of bearing down and meeting with Him in my daily prayer time. I figure I’m not the only one who needs to answer to God for failing to meet His minimum standards, but neither am I alone when I look to see a steady change in my behavior—the Holy Spirit is there and causes me to call out to the Father for the strength to make repentance a reality. If I’m going to live out the command to LOVE God more than I love me and love my neighbors as much as I love me, some of the evidence will be in what I do with what Billy Graham said. “A checkbook is a theological document.”