the12journey

Sometimes after God calls us to do something or say something in a given situation, It might actually be uncomfortable or even rough going at first.  There are times when God calls us to do the difficult.  So how do we respond?  What are our expectations on what it means to follow Christ today?  The Minor Prophet Haggai brings much needed clarity and encouragement for those called to difficult work by God. 

Being stubborn about good things can be a real positive trait, but stubborn against what is good doesn't produce anything good.  For all of we stubborn people out there, Jonah is a good reminder to not be so stubborn that we refuse the good that God can bring to others through us if we will just follow His leading and the truth of His word.  

An attitude we may find in the West today is that God is a nice idea but has no real affect on the human experience or in human history.  He doesn't do good or ill no matter what we choose to do.  When it comes down to it, we ourselves are the real gods who define good and evil and assert our will on the world regardless of what God may say.  Boy oh boy, does the Minor Prophet Zephaniah set the record straight on this one.  Our world today isn't so different from in his day, and his message is for us as much as anyone.

In the Minor Prophets, God is not as much angry as He is broken hearted over the things we can do to each other and in how we can treat Him.  Hosea presents three pictures of what it was like for God to be God to His people in that day.  The relationship was badly broken and in need of redemption and reconciliation.  It makes us ask ourselves today, what might it be like for God to be God to us?

In the days of the Minor Prophet Micah and Major Prophet Isaiah, the good king Hezekiah had a choice to make.  With the full might of the Assyrian army at his front door in Jerusalem, there were voices on all sides telling him what he should do in response to this terrifying threat to the city's survival.  This amazing moment in Biblical history makes one thing very clear: it matters who you listen to.

Disgust, dodge, or destroy.  I call them the three D's.  These are three ways some may respond in truthful situations that hit close to home.  In the book of Amos, a priest in the city that Amos was called to prophesy against took the "Destroy" route in his response to God's warnings.  So how did that turn out?  Interesting story.  Even today, some may choose the destroyer route against the truth of God's word and attempt to discredit, accuse, and even threaten.  God knows just what to say to such folks in ways only He can.

Our very first podcast!  A quick look at why the Minor Prophets are so valuable and relevant today.  A powerful prayer found in Habakkuk that carried me through the uncertain days of the recent pandemic.  An illuminated page from a medieval prayer book has this same prayer inscribed.  Powerful words for countless people in history who have relied on the Lord in challenging times.