Latest Thoughts of the Day

Haggai 2:4

8/7/2026

"But now, be strong, O Zerubbabel", declares the Lord. "Be strong, all you people of the land, and work. For I am with you." declares the lord Almighty

My present struggle seems to weaken me, and there is real temptation to just give up. What can I accomplish anyway? But the Lord Almighty has said that He is with me. To be sure, the very thing being worked on is small and unimpressive in itself. The enemies seem to be very strong, and they can certainly boast. But the Lord Almighty is with me! He has said to be strong. However unimportant what I am doing may seem to me, He has told me to work at it. He has purposes I do not see and there are implications that escape my notice. Help me trust, Lord Jesus.

Zephaniah 2:8

8/6/2026

I have heard the insults of Moab and the insults of the Ammonites, who insulted my people and made threats against their land.

In 600 B.C. nations that bordered Israel spoke evil and plotted the destruction of Israel. All those nations ultimately disappeared from significance, and Israel continued, with all her faults, to exist. Not just in real estate, but in physical presence in all nations in the world, there are today those who insult the people of God and speak boldly of the destruction of God’s kingdom. But all these enemies will pass away, and God’s kingdom will prove to be an everlasting kingdom that shall have no end. God may yet have something to do with the nation Israel, but we know that He has everything to do with those who are His people through faith in the One He sent in the Person of Jesus.

Habakkuk 2L10

8/5/2026

You have plotted the ruin of many peoples, shaming your own house and forfeiting your life.

The Lord is purposing to use a wicked, lustful nation to chastise His own dear people, and then, in the course of time, to bring that wicked nation down to ruin. He describes that nation’s pride and arrogance and cruelty, pointing out that what they are doing to others will ultimately be done to them. They think they gain something by destroying others, but their actions end up destroying themselves. God will call them to account, and they will not escape. Jesus tells us, “what a man sows he will also reap”. Paul affirms this truth, and history is full of examples of God bringing down the one determined to exalt himself. Work in us the opposite spirit, O Lord. Let that mind be in us that was also in Christ Jesus.

Nahum 2:7

8/4/2026

It is decreed that the city be exiled and carried away. Its slave girls moan like doves and beat upon their breasts.

Spurgeon pointed out that when God used a wicked nation like a stick to punish His people, He always afterwards broke the stick. Nineveh had been used of God to bring to an end the northern kingdom of Israel and to frighten dreadfully the southern kingdom, Judah. But as Nineveh fiercely threatened Judah, God sent His angel of death and slew 36,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night. This was the beginning of the end for Nineveh. When God had brought together many strands, He raised up Nahum to pronounce the final doom. The only ones who mourned would be the slave girls who were now out of a job. We do not mourn the destruction of our enemy, but rejoice in our glorious deliverance by Jesus.

Micah 4:7

8/3/2026

I will make the lame a remnsnt, those driven away a strong nation. The Lord will rule over them in Zion from that day and forever.

Micah lived to see Israel removed from the picture of God’s dealings, being utterly dispersed among the nations. He warned of judgment coming upon those who would not seek the Lord. But there are wonderful flashes and glimpses of God’s overflowing mercy to those who draw near to Him. This one promises to the weak and helpless a rescue that makes us not just refugees forever, but a vital part of a strong nation. Not just pity and help, God gives us significance and usefulness. And so He has to those of us who have trusted in Him! God Himself rules over us in Zion. We are part of His people, living in obedience, usefulness, and joy in serving King Jesus.

Jonah 3:5

8/2/2026

The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

The Ninevites took God seriously and responded to Him honestly. Not that they had much on which to fix their hope. Jonah’s message had not included mercy, because Jonah himself didn’t want them to have any. But they must have heard something about His mercy and decided to put all their hope there. God gave to the Ninevites united hearts, not to try to argue their case, but to accept the judgement and seek mercy at God’s hand. And it was the right choice. It must have seemed a very long shot. They could not have imagined how eager God is to show mercy. But they hoped, and it went viral. For Your Glory, make such repentance and such hope go viral in our day, Lord Jesus!

Obadiah 11

8/1/2026

On the day when you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lotes for Jerusalem, you were like one of them.

Edom had rooted for any nation that invaded Israel, and had helped them where they could to do all the damage that was on their minds. They were descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob. They had done all they could to keep the family hatred alive. Finally God had enough, and He purposed to send utter and complete destruction to the line of Esau, or Edom. The book of Obadiah offers no mercy, no reconciliation. It pronounces doom upon an ancient enmity. By God’s grace, we are called by God to turn from our sins and to come to repentance. We have heard His call and have been born again as we have turned our eyes upon Jesus.

Amos 5:14

7/31/2026

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the lord God Almighty will be with y9u, just as you say He is.

As a boy, Amos may have heard Elisha preach, and as a boy Isaiah may have listened to Amos. God raised up several messengers in Amos’ lifetime, and all were calling the northern and the southern kingdoms to repentance and faith. Under good king Uzziah the Land of Judah was prosperous and successful. But people were claiming a relationship with Jehovah that was better than what they truly knew. God looked upon the hearts of the people, and He raised up messengers to challenge the people truly to come to God. The issue is our personal walk with God. Do we seek what is good and pursue what glorifies Him? Do we experience the life we claim? “Come unto Me” is the message of Jesus.