Latest Thoughts of the Day

Haggai 2:12

12/22/2024

If a person carries consecated meat in the fold of his garment, and that fold touches some bread or stew, some wine, oil or other food, does it become consecrated? The priests answered, "No."

Those who returned from Babylon to rebuild the Temple were discouraged and downcast. Haggai’s goal is to lift them up and help them put their heart into the work at hand. He does not simply rebuke their lack of enthusiasm. He brings them to see how they never can become what they ought to be, and that they must look to the Lord in faith. God is aware of the contrast between the glory of the old Temple and their poor efforts on the new. But this temple will be visited by the Lord Himself. God’s personal presence makes anything glorious. Our lives can be made important and significant by the presence of Jesus.

Zephaniah 3:11

12/21/2024

On that day you will not be put to shame for all the wrongs you have done to me, because I will remove from the city those who rejoice in their pride. Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill.

The Christian is grieved by the arrogance of the wicked and would like to disassociate himself from the expressions of arrogance and defiance he sees in fellow citizens, often those in power in government. We feel somehow guilty with them because we are part of the society that rises in rebellion to God. But it will not always be so. God will one day remove the proud and arrogant, so that His people no longer deserve His wrath. What a joy it will be not to have to apologize for our leaders! By Your grace, because of Your work in us, we praise and follow Jesus.

Habakkuk 3:10

12/20/2024

...the mountains saw you and writhed. Torrents of water swept by; the deep roared and lifted its waves on high.

We are accustomed to view the weather as unconscious force operating with no particular intent. We can guess what “it” will do, but we do not regard what “it” does as having any goal with regard to destruction or protection. It is frightening especially because it is random and out of control. But Habakkuk sees the whirlwind and the storm as God flexing His muscles and accomplishing His purposes, be it of judgment or deliverance. The arm of flesh is almost a joke when faced with God’s mighty arm. Habakkuk comforts Himself with the assurance that God can and will judge Babylon. He can be at peace and wait. We worship You, almighty God, and thank You for the refuge that You have provided for us in Jesus.

Nahum 3:10

12/19/2024

Yet she was taken captive and went into exile. Her infants were dashed to pieces at the head of every street.

Does Assyria still think that she is invincible? God is pronouncing His terrible judgment upon Nineveh and Assyria as a whole, and in this verse He is reminding them of the arrogance of Thebes, surrounded by the Nile and seemingly secure. She was taken, with a most dreadful and cruel overthrow. And this fate is set in stone for Assyria. God will judge, and the mighty empire will be forgotten for a thousand years. Such was the case with Nineveh. Archaeologists have revealed that there even was such a place. Lord, keep within us an awesome sense of Your mighty power and Your terrible vengeance. May it remind us of what You sent Your Son to earth to accomplish. Thank You that You rescued us in Jesus.

Micah 7:10

12/18/2024

Then my enemy will see it and will be covered with shame, she who said to me, "Where is the Lord your God?" My eyes will see her downfall and she will be trampled under foot like mire in the streets.

Micah sees himself and the nation of Judah as under the discipline of God, but still loved by God and still destined for vindication in the face of his enemies. It is a faith that looks beyond present circumstances to see victory in Christ and glory to His Great Name. He is facing the furnace, but God is refining his gold, and the mouths of those who mocked will be effectively stopped by the clear evidence of God’s love and commitment. Lord, we know we must suffer consequences for our sins, but work in all our experiences that when the chastisement is over, our lives bring glory to Jesus.

Jonah 4:6

12/17/2024

Then the Lord provided a vine and made it grow up over jonah to give shade to his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very glad about the vine.

Very small miracles are around us all the time and we often do not notice them. Here God, in tenderness and love, provides shade for His servant, Jonah, who is at that time behaving very badly. But God gives this relief in order to take it away, as a special opportunity to make a point with a stubborn child. When the goodness of God does not bring us to repentance, very likely the good thing will be taken away. But through it all, we see a tender God who works gently to show us the things we need to see. Teach us, Lord, to appreciate and to learn from the tender gift of Your dear Son, Jesus.

Obadiah 19

12/16/2024

Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever.

Enmity between Jacob and Esau had been going on for over a thousand years, always under the surface, but often breaking out in violent hatred. God had permitted the two nation’s co-existence, but the time had come for God to execute judgment and to settle the dispute with total destruction of one of the parties. God’s covenant promise was to bless all the nations of the earth through Jacob. No doubt there were individuals within Moab who did not personally carry on the enmity, and who were saved from the judgment upon Edom, but the time had come for the nation of Edom to cease. There is an appointed time for our country, as well. May the Lord bring many in our land to repentance and faith in Jesus!

Amos 9:8

12/15/2024

"Surely the eyes of the sovereign Lord are on the sinful kingdom. I will destroy it from the face of the earth--yet I will not totally destroy the house of Jacob", declares the Lord.

The ten tribes of Israel have been warned again and again of their coming doom, but they have not been willing to hear. Ultimately in the purposes of God, Assyria will come against the Northern kingdom to destroy and disperse in such a way that it will never be restored. But God will not forget His covenant with Jacob to work through him to fulfill His covenant with Abraham. Notwithstanding her sins, God will not abandom Israel. Even Assyria will be destroyed by the angel of death, lest God’s covenant promise be lost. Lord, we tremble at Your power. These many years hence, we worship You for Your love to us in Jesus.