Zephaniah, a prophet of God, heard audibly or was clearly directed by signs the declaration of the purpose of God. "The word of the LORD which came", Zephaniah declares. Poole reiterates this with "Zephaniah did not hammer out of his own brain any such news; he received from God what he communicated." And that, of course, is true of all of scripture. And the crux of that declaration is that we need to listen.
Why does God allow calamity? Why, if He is in control, does He not stop this virus? In Zephaniah, we are allowed an answer from the past. What was going on in this passage to the Jews was just as devastating, really way worse!! Chapter one, verse two, God says "I will utterly consume all things from off the land." That is not good. And if we read about the flood, we should know that He has the power. Why won't we bow?? That is the question!
Here's a short list of "why" from just chapter one and this is just about those who were suppose to be His people. We, as a church, need to take heed from this. Where are we in our worship? Mr. Poole comments very unapologetically in regard to chapter one: "Priests..should have been stedfast to God, but had fallen from the true God and His worship, to Baal and his worship. Persons that mix idol worship and the worship of the true God." [we should not be cocky here because we don't have "idols" because we do, indeed, have them...] -These persons have- "...forsaken the Lord and His worship, turned atheist, or in matters of religion, have taken up not what is purest and truest, but what is nearest and most in fashion...pretended religions." "YET!! they would not inquire!" So, in verse seven, God tells them to hold their peace: "thou that murmurest in discontent or disputes out of frowardness against God, His worship and His government."
Where are we? Mr. Poole says, "Stand in awe!" "Cease all thy quarrels and disputes and stand in awe!" God tells the people this judgment will come to pass that "we might see clearly the just and exemplary proceedings of God; these people sinned in sacrificing to strange gods and God will punish them." What are our strange gods? If you are guilty, bow, repent, and amend your ways. We may feel distressed but at least we are, by God's mercy, allowed to see our error and turn to Him.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Behave Yourself with Joy
Well, so I "jumped the gun". Of course, Habakkuk's just as good as Nahum and Joel. And Poole's commentary is excellent in it's instruction to us believers who find ourselves in various trials throughout our lives. For now, it's the trial of an unseen enemy, a virus. And for many, it's just inconvenient (I shudder even using that spoiled word!) But for a large portion of people, it's devastating in so many ways. Even believers are finding themselves perplexed and questioning their future.
In this book of Habakkuk, we find the famous phrase, "the just shall live by his faith" (2:4). It was a phrase that God used to change Martin Luther's life and our world. God's word does that over and over again and will continue until time is no more. And that faith is what this prophet was seeking to revive for himself and his people.
Habukkuk's prayer in chapter three is for himself and for his people because they erred. They were offended at the darkness of Divine Providences and needed pardon as well as instruction. In verse two, the phrase "make known" is an affectionate request to God to make known by His truth, wisdom, power or compassion that He is their God and still cares for them.
In 3:3, "His glory covers the heavens and the earth is full of His praise", the prophet mentions as a support for his own faith and an encouragement to others. And in verse sixteen, "that I might rest in the day of trouble", reminds them that fears awaken our remembrance of God; these fears have occasioned Habakkuk's search into the mystery of Providence, that understanding it, he might betake himself to God, that he may rest in Him Who will make it go well with the righteous, even those righteous who live to see and feel the troubles of those days.
By verse nineteen, the prophet had made a full profession of his faith and a resolution to "behave himself with joy" in the midst of troubles. And he knew that it would not be done in his own strength but it is because the LORD God is his strength. We must do the same. And though, it will be a constant effort, we must not lose hope because we can call continually. He knows we are but flesh. However, He gives us all the provision we need in His word and through prayer! The "just will live by faith" and must "behave ourselves with joy".
[Most all thoughts here were taken from Matthew Poole's commentary on the Bible.]
In this book of Habakkuk, we find the famous phrase, "the just shall live by his faith" (2:4). It was a phrase that God used to change Martin Luther's life and our world. God's word does that over and over again and will continue until time is no more. And that faith is what this prophet was seeking to revive for himself and his people.
Habukkuk's prayer in chapter three is for himself and for his people because they erred. They were offended at the darkness of Divine Providences and needed pardon as well as instruction. In verse two, the phrase "make known" is an affectionate request to God to make known by His truth, wisdom, power or compassion that He is their God and still cares for them.
In 3:3, "His glory covers the heavens and the earth is full of His praise", the prophet mentions as a support for his own faith and an encouragement to others. And in verse sixteen, "that I might rest in the day of trouble", reminds them that fears awaken our remembrance of God; these fears have occasioned Habakkuk's search into the mystery of Providence, that understanding it, he might betake himself to God, that he may rest in Him Who will make it go well with the righteous, even those righteous who live to see and feel the troubles of those days.
By verse nineteen, the prophet had made a full profession of his faith and a resolution to "behave himself with joy" in the midst of troubles. And he knew that it would not be done in his own strength but it is because the LORD God is his strength. We must do the same. And though, it will be a constant effort, we must not lose hope because we can call continually. He knows we are but flesh. However, He gives us all the provision we need in His word and through prayer! The "just will live by faith" and must "behave ourselves with joy".
[Most all thoughts here were taken from Matthew Poole's commentary on the Bible.]
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Longing for Eden
As I study Habbakuk, I'm not feeling the love as I did with Nahum and Joel. I'm not sure why except Matthew Poole's description of the Chaldeans are not quite what I want to think about as we face this virus. I guess if I could say anything positive about my reading and studying Habbakuk, it would be, "yes, things could be worse!!" But with Nahum and Joel, I learned that I need to be learning in my affliction. Maybe it's just my mood and the uncertainty. However, as I thought about this after my study time, I know I've always loved the end of Habbakuk. It's a famous passage I've heard and read for many years. You can read it in chapter 3:16-19. It's the "though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vine..." passage.
But for my post today is the "I've always loved the end of Habbakuk" thought. Is that not like human nature? Let me get through this, so my life will be what I want it to be again. I want it to be normal. I want to enjoy things again, like I did before. I want to go on a vacation, a hike, fly a kite, etc. The reality of it is that when sin came into this perfectly ordered world, Eden was not to be enjoyed again. Not that there would not be joy in the Lord, in just the beautiful presence of knowing we are His. But perfection in life would be no more until one day we see Him face to face.
Adam and Eve were banned from Eden until their dying day. They faced major heartache with the death of one son by the hand of the other. But their most dread pain was losing fellowship with their Maker. Horrors of all horrors!!! And no more Eden, no more perfect beauty and life and love.
We, too, long for order. We long for things to be made right. However, we have no concept of what that "really" looks like. For our order is only a dim picture of what's to come. And Eden, in all it's beauty, holds no comparison for Zion, the place purchased by the blood of the Lamb of the world. Only He can make us completely ordered, perfect and presentable to the "Eden" the depths of our hearts truly desire. "Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." Revelation 21:27
But for my post today is the "I've always loved the end of Habbakuk" thought. Is that not like human nature? Let me get through this, so my life will be what I want it to be again. I want it to be normal. I want to enjoy things again, like I did before. I want to go on a vacation, a hike, fly a kite, etc. The reality of it is that when sin came into this perfectly ordered world, Eden was not to be enjoyed again. Not that there would not be joy in the Lord, in just the beautiful presence of knowing we are His. But perfection in life would be no more until one day we see Him face to face.
Adam and Eve were banned from Eden until their dying day. They faced major heartache with the death of one son by the hand of the other. But their most dread pain was losing fellowship with their Maker. Horrors of all horrors!!! And no more Eden, no more perfect beauty and life and love.
We, too, long for order. We long for things to be made right. However, we have no concept of what that "really" looks like. For our order is only a dim picture of what's to come. And Eden, in all it's beauty, holds no comparison for Zion, the place purchased by the blood of the Lamb of the world. Only He can make us completely ordered, perfect and presentable to the "Eden" the depths of our hearts truly desire. "Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." Revelation 21:27
Monday, March 23, 2020
A Timely Repentance
"Nothing new under the sun" says Solomon in Ecclesiastes. So true! But Ecclesiastes is not my subject. I chose Nahum, a short three-chaptered book, to fill my Bible study time over the last few weeks. Our days have been different to say the least with the Covid-19 infection and quarantine. As it slowly seeped into our worlds, while wrecking havoc on others in other countries, we did not take it seriously. There were jokes that should have never been uttered or laughed at. That seems to be the laxness of the American way. But that personality has changed quickly as people are infected right and left before our eyes. And as we stay away from those we love so as not to infect them, just in case.
Nothing new? Trials, disorder, wars, etc. have occurred throughout history. Our generation has mostly just read about them not walked through any. Read any prophet in the Bible and you'll see this over and over again. Back to my study in Nahum: Nahum, a prophet whose name in Hebrew means "to comfort" and also "to repent". As I use Matthew Poole in my study of the book, he says that "repentance is a preparatory to comfort." Americans as a whole have much to repent outwardly, not to neglect the root inwardly. When I say as a "whole", I mean starting with Christians. We've shouted, sung, raised our hands and swayed to God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, faith, peace, and on and on. But many are reeling through this trying event, with no idea how faith is suppose to look now. And, quite frankly, it's only been a little over a week for us. The devastation that occurs in the prophets are years. And we struggle with a week of change, disorder and inconvenience. We must repent of our selfishness and rise up to the great work of shining a light to the darkness of those who have no hope. This will be our comfort, our joy.
And the subject for this post is "repentance". Mr. Poole says, as he writes about 1:2, God wants to "affect the wicked with terror and awaken them to a timely repentance". Also, to "affect God's people with joy and hope that they may wait on Him." This "joy and hope" was to occur in the midst of the trial. In Nahum, the Assyrians were the afflicting "virus". But I love what Mr. Poole says about them: "That the Assyrians were not yet destroyed is the effect of God's patience, not impotence. He knows the good and will protect, rescue and save them. They must trust, believe, depend and wait on God. They must depend by faith and wait with hope." No! He is not without power. And we cannot quail in the way of this trial. The virus is not yet destroyed and one cannot think of God as impotent in this delay. He has purpose along the way.
Verse three goes on to talk about God's way. Mr. Poole says of "His way":"intimating the unerring steadiness of providence; the straight and known path." What a comfort these words are for Christians in all times and all circumstance. We are on the straight path with our God leading the way. As stated before we cannot give into fear, anxiety, depression in our first week or even if the time ahead continues for awhile. This is God's path for us at this time. And while unknown to us, it is "known" to Him whom we follow. And what an opportunity to live out a faith for those unbelievers who are in dire need of "a timely repentance" before it's too late.
Nothing new? Trials, disorder, wars, etc. have occurred throughout history. Our generation has mostly just read about them not walked through any. Read any prophet in the Bible and you'll see this over and over again. Back to my study in Nahum: Nahum, a prophet whose name in Hebrew means "to comfort" and also "to repent". As I use Matthew Poole in my study of the book, he says that "repentance is a preparatory to comfort." Americans as a whole have much to repent outwardly, not to neglect the root inwardly. When I say as a "whole", I mean starting with Christians. We've shouted, sung, raised our hands and swayed to God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, faith, peace, and on and on. But many are reeling through this trying event, with no idea how faith is suppose to look now. And, quite frankly, it's only been a little over a week for us. The devastation that occurs in the prophets are years. And we struggle with a week of change, disorder and inconvenience. We must repent of our selfishness and rise up to the great work of shining a light to the darkness of those who have no hope. This will be our comfort, our joy.
And the subject for this post is "repentance". Mr. Poole says, as he writes about 1:2, God wants to "affect the wicked with terror and awaken them to a timely repentance". Also, to "affect God's people with joy and hope that they may wait on Him." This "joy and hope" was to occur in the midst of the trial. In Nahum, the Assyrians were the afflicting "virus". But I love what Mr. Poole says about them: "That the Assyrians were not yet destroyed is the effect of God's patience, not impotence. He knows the good and will protect, rescue and save them. They must trust, believe, depend and wait on God. They must depend by faith and wait with hope." No! He is not without power. And we cannot quail in the way of this trial. The virus is not yet destroyed and one cannot think of God as impotent in this delay. He has purpose along the way.
Verse three goes on to talk about God's way. Mr. Poole says of "His way":"intimating the unerring steadiness of providence; the straight and known path." What a comfort these words are for Christians in all times and all circumstance. We are on the straight path with our God leading the way. As stated before we cannot give into fear, anxiety, depression in our first week or even if the time ahead continues for awhile. This is God's path for us at this time. And while unknown to us, it is "known" to Him whom we follow. And what an opportunity to live out a faith for those unbelievers who are in dire need of "a timely repentance" before it's too late.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
School for the World
"The joy of the Lord is my strength." How easy to say while things are going well!! In an article on zeal by J. C. Ryle, he describes the Christianity of our day as "lazy, easy, and sleepy". It's times like this, that reveal our hearts. We can say all these wonderful truths of God's Word when things are easy, but how is it with us today?
How blessed I've been with phone texts from friends offering encouragement as we spend our days socially isolating. One from my sister was scripture. Scripture is always the best encouragement. And how wonderful to get one encouraging verse that leads you to continue reading the next one, then the next one and on and on until you think "what crisis"? God is, indeed, on His throne. He is not surprised. And we will not die one day earlier or later than our time planned by God. For me, it's not the dying that concerns me but the living. I want to live well through the whatever, that I might shine His light in this dark uncertainty. We've read the history of others who have made it through way worse!
One of her shared scriptures was Isaiah 26:3-4. It is good, but reading ahead, I loved verses eight and nine. "Indeed, while following the way of Your judgments, O LORD, we have waited for You eagerly; Your name, even Your memory, is the desire of our souls. At night my soul longs for you, indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently; for when the earth experiences Your judgments, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness."
What a glorious thought! That the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness. This is, indeed, a trial, a burden, an overwhelming flood of unknown that shakes us up. But God, in His amazing grace, teaches us in all kinds of ways. I want to learn. I don't want to miss out on what I need to learn to better honor and serve Him. I do not want to be a lazy, easy or sleepy Christian. I want to serve Him in humble adoration. And I want to shine Him to those who don't know Him that they will indeed learn righteousness. The virus that should concern us the most is the sin virus. And only the righteousness of Christ can heal that sickness.
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