Daily Bible Devotionals

This Groundworks Ministries Podcast is coming soon! In the meantime, click the “Read Full Chapter” button above to study Haggai 2.

“The Lord of Hosts says this: ‘Think carefully about your ways. Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build the house (of the Lord). Then I will be pleased with it and be glorified,’ says the Lord. “You expected much, but then it amounted to little. When you brought the harvest to your house, I ruined it. Why?’ This is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts. Because My house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house.”  Haggai 1:7-9 (HCSB)

The Bible has much to say about giving. My personal tendency is to give only when I have ample access to money. It reminds me of the Bob Dylan song, “Like A Rolling Stone.”

“Once upon a time, you dressed so fine. You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn’t you?”  Bob Dylan

It is harder to be generous when you are the bum begging for a dime when times are lean. Still, the Bible commands and exhorts us to give (regardless of the abundance of our wealth), so I do. God is more concerned with the abundance of your faith than the size of your offering. (Mark 12:41-44)

“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:17-18 (NIV)

Somehow, the Lord has always provided abundantly when I have been obedient. When I have withheld my giving, it was as if He withheld His blessing because I would begin sinking financially. However, many followers of Jesus can say “Amen!” to what I have shared; how and when God provides for us is still a great mystery for many others. I do not believe God’s faithfulness can be truly understood until we faithfully obey God in this matter.

“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:24-25 (NIV)

Today’s passage is not just a story about ancient Israel. The Lord is using Haggai to speak to us, as well. On average, 20% of church attendees provide 80% of the finances needed for their local ministry. Does that mean 80% of all Christians live below the poverty level? Absolutely not! It means 80% of church attendees are more concerned with building their own houses than God’s Kingdom! (See also: Luke 21:1-4)

Where do you fit into that 80/20 split? As we move toward finishing the TANAKH (Old Testament), let’s remember to faithfully worship the God Who provides instead of worshipping the provision of God.

“Woe to the city that is rebellious and defiled, the oppressive city! She has not obeyed; she has not accepted discipline. She has not trusted in the Lord; she has not drawn near to her God. The princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are wolves of the night, which leave nothing for the morning. Her prophets are reckless – treacherous men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to instruction. The righteous Lord is in her; He does no wrong. He applies His justice morning by morning; He does not fail at dawn, yet the one who does wrong knows no shame.” Zephaniah 3:1-5 (HCSB)

Today’s passage delivers a picture of a religious culture that has utterly rejected the truth. At the same time, within that religious culture stands a remnant that, even in weakness, has held fast to the Word and the Name of God. Princes are lions, Judges are wolves, prophets are reckless, and priests are profaners. But God dwells among His faithful followers within the community. It was an accurate picture of Jerusalem in Zephaniah’s day, and it pretty much describes the Messianic community (the Church-at-large) of our generation.

Jerusalem, the most highly privileged of all cities, is described in verse one as “rebellious, oppressive and defiled.”  Here, we find a four-fold indictment in verse two: She has not obeyed or accepted discipline. She has not trusted in the Lord; she has not drawn near to her God. These are intensely solemn statements, to say the least. But in them, we are forced to search ourselves to detect (in our lives) any departure that may lead us to a state similar to what Jerusalem is charged with.

Ask yourself, “Have I obeyed the voice of the Lord?” What does that mean? It means, “Have you read God’s Word and allowed it to affect you to the point that you would be willing to apply it?”

Ask yourself, “Have I accepted discipline from God’s Word?” Based on what God has revealed through His Word, have you taken active steps to change your way of living and thinking to align yourself with His will?

Ask yourself, “Do I truly trust in the Lord?” Even though He may not work on the timetable of your personal expectations, are you willing to walk by faith?

Ask yourself, “Do I really draw near to the Lord?” Do you confide in Him, bringing your requests and confessions, knowing He cares and is faithful and just to forgive us if we confess our sins?

You see, God is showing us a consistent pattern of discipleship. If we seek God’s Word with the intent to know and live according to it, He will reveal its truth to us. In return, we discipline ourselves to obey His revealed will. When we faithfully follow Him, we experience His faithfulness extended to those committed to following Him.  When He proves Himself faithful, it builds our trust, so we reciprocate by drawing nearer to Him, making confessions and petitions, and experiencing Him more personally. If we refuse to seek His Word, the whole equation unravels exactly in the reverse process.

“Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O undesirable nation, before the decree is issued, or the day passes like chaff, before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you! Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness; seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger.”  Zephaniah 2:1-3 (NKJV)

Of the little information we have about the prophet Zephaniah, we are certain that he prophesied during the era of the divided kingdom at the time of Judah’s darkest days. Zephaniah commented during the reigns of Judah’s most wicked kings, Manasseh and Amon, and he was around toward the beginning of the reign of the young righteous king, Josiah. Given the evil culture that had taken over Jerusalem, it is easy to see why Zephaniah’s primary message focused on God’s impending judgment. Zephaniah speaks more about the “day of the Lord” than any other Old Testament book.

Yet, the purpose of prophecy is to reveal the ending BEFORE the story unfolds. Every good storyteller knows that a story is not a legend until it ends. Therefore, the prophet’s message tells of TWO endings, one of the unrepentant hearer and another for the repentant. We must understand that God desires all people everywhere to repent.

“Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has set a day when He is going to judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him. But others said, “We’d like to hear from you again about this.”  Acts 17:30-32 (HCSB)

This idea of God’s grace and mercy is not solely a New Testament “Christian” idea. It is inconsistent with God’s character throughout Scripture. We see it in God’s sending of Jonah to preach to Nineveh, and we also see God’s heart in Ezekiel’s message.

“‘Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?’ This is the declaration of the Lord God. ‘Instead, don’t I take pleasure when he turns from his ways and lives?’” Ezekiel 18:23 (HCSB)

There is a judgment, a “reckoning” forthcoming for our generation, just as sure as there was a reckoning for Zephaniah’s generation. And your response to that message of impending judgment will be one of the two responses to Zephaniah’s prophecy. I plead with you to turn to Messiah Jesus! He is our only refuge and salvation, yet His atonement is offered liberally to anyone who would turn from their sin and receive it. Invite Him into your heart and surrender your life to His Lordship today. You WILL be hidden in the coming day of the Lord’s anger.

“I will bring distress on mankind and they will walk like the blind because they have sinned against the Lord. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung. Their silver and their gold will not be able to rescue them on the day of the Lord’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy. For, He will make a complete, yes, a horrifying end of all the inhabitants of the earth.” Zephaniah 1:17-18 (HCSB)

We don’t know much about the prophet Zephaniah beyond what he tells us of himself in the first verse. His pedigree is traced back four generations, and the date of his ministry is given as “in the days of Josiah, the son of Amon, king of Judah.” Those were days of blessing and revival for a “remnant” of Judah, but obviously, the vast multitude of Judeans, though outwardly reformed, were in the sad spiritual state described in this book (a message echoed in the early chapters of Jeremiah). Lesson: Having a reputation of holiness is not the same as being holy. And there is a time when the Lord will search throughout the earth, looking for half-hearted men, to separate them from His people, intending to destroy them. The object of Zephaniah’s prophecy was to warn those clinging to a “form of godliness” of the coming judgment. The apostle Peter also echoed Zephaniah’s sentiments:

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them and will bring swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their unrestrained ways, and because of them the truth will be blasphemed. In their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. Their condemnation, pronounced long ago, is not idle, and their destruction does not sleep.” 2 Peter 2:1-3 (HCSB)

Besides clinging to a distorted version of the truth (a half-truth is no truth), the Judeans were counting on their stored-up wealth to help them ride out any seasons of a market downturn. Whenever people turn away from the invisible God, revealed only in Scripture, their only refuge is to cling to tangible things. We see this even in our present-day culture. People are still looking towards modern versions of “gold and silver” to sustain them through turbulent times. I am not against wise investments, but if it were possible to pinpoint that the source of a specific market and natural disasters was the Holy God, what other refuge would there be for the unrepentant?

God has determined a Day when He will completely sweep mankind from the earth. For those who do not believe in a literal rapture, you may find it hard to get around this statement! He is doing business in Jerusalem, just as He is cleansing the other nations. While this prophecy is in advance of Babylon’s invasion, its totality of destruction must also be extended to that “Day of the Lord,” which is yet to come. In this knowledge, we have an advantage (and higher degree of accountability) over God’s people in Zephaniah’s day. Because we know how God’s prophecy was fulfilled – to the letter – we can only expect it will likewise be fulfilled in the end to come. Therefore, let’s take Zephaniah’s prophecy to heart; let’s repent from our sinfulness and wholeheartedly follow the Messiah, our only Hope.

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will triumph in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! YHWH, my Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer and enables me to walk on mountain heights! For the choir director: on stringed instruments.” Habakkuk 3:17-20 (HCSB)

I don’t like to go work out at the gym. But I know I need to go in order to be healthy. I have experienced that while I never like to start a workout, I always feel revived when it’s through. Presently, many of us are facing tough “workouts.”  Some are facing job loss, health loss, loss of a loved one, loss of a home, or the loss of a relationship. If I have learned anything in my walk with the Lord, it is simply to trust Him and cling to His character. This, He has revealed in His Word. That’s not to say I have mastered faith! I’m just saying I know my Master is faithful.

The last three verses of Habakkuk’s prophecy are the expression of a truly revived man who has learned to find all his “springs” in the Lord. You almost have to live in a desert region (as I have) to appreciate water that emerges from the least likely sources. But if we change the backdrop to finances, don’t we all appreciate when money or opportunity shows up seemingly out of nowhere? Paul surely had Habakkuk in mind when he encouraged the Philippians through a season of bitterness & strife:

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Messiah Jesus. Finally brothers, whatever is true, honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable – if there is any praise – dwell on these received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:4-9 (HCSB)

There is such a difference in the spirit of Habakkuk from beginning to end. He begins bewildered and confused, full of questions and perplexities. And Habakkuk ends as one who has found the answers to all his questions, whose soul has found satisfaction in the Lord God Himself. We can all identify with his questions and confusion, and in Habakkuk’s patient endurance, we find encouragement to hold fast in faith.

Habakkuk is such a short book; if we blink, we will miss the major lessons:  Even the most pious men have questions. Nobody fully understands God or knows His plans, although He has revealed enough of Himself (clearly articulated in His Word) for us to follow Him rightly. Therefore, no man is without excuse on the day He comes to test (or ultimately judge) us. We all have doubts, and God constantly allows situations in our lives that weigh our personal theologies against His Biblical truth. And when He has tested us, given we hold faithfully, we shall emerge rejoicing.

“I will stand at My guard post and station myself on the lookout tower. I will watch to see what He will say to me and what He should reply about My complaint. The Lord answered me: Write down this vision; clearly inscribe it on tablets so one may easily read it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; it testifies about the end and will not lie. Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late.” Habakkuk 2:1-3 (HCSB)

When I was in college, I had a fraternity brother whose Labrador retriever could do all kinds of tricks. To me, the most impressive trick had nothing to do with fetching a beer from the fridge or catching a Frisbee. This guy’s dog would allow his master to put a treat on the dog’s own nose. Then, the dog would sit there for long periods, treat resting upon his snout. Then, the master would snap his finger, and the dog would finally devour the treat. Impressive for a beast. Not many humans display such control of their fleshly desires.

There is nothing harder for mankind to do than wait on God. The restlessness of our flesh will not stand delayed gratification. We count the time we spend waiting as lost time. It was the opposite for Habakkuk. Habakkuk had sought the Lord eagerly and anxiously. Then, he took the attitude of a patient learner who remains silent until the master is ready to make his thoughts known. The apostle Peter had a similar exhortation:

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

Adding to Peter’s words, the Apostle Paul underscored that God’s delay has a sense of urgency attached to it. Like those “Limited offer” commercials we have become so familiar with.

“Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.” Romans 13:11 (NASB)

While God may take His time, the time of His visitation will certainly arrive. And when it comes, like an expired coupon, the grace extended today will have been reeled back in.

“I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality.” Revelation 2:21 (NASB)

I say it often, but I believe it bears repeating: Two things confound a fool: How slow God is to judge sin and how quickly He shows up! Commit to follow Him while it is still daytime because no one can imagine how terribly black the night will be.

This Groundworks Ministries Podcast is coming soon! In the meantime, click the “Read Full Chapter” button above to study Habakkuk 1.

“Because of the continual prostitution of the prostitute, the attractive mistress of sorcery, who betrays nations by her prostitution and clans by her witchcraft, I am against you. This is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts.” Nahum 3:4-5 (HCSB)

The book of Nahum has been doubly valuable for us. It has shown us how prophecy has been completely fulfilled in the past. In doing so, Nahum has assured our hearts that all prophecy, yet to be fulfilled, will come to pass exactly as the prophets have spoken.

“And He said to me, ‘Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.’” Ezekiel 3:1 (NIV)

As Ezekiel was commanded to eat the scroll of the Lord and share its words, so we are encouraged by the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 14:1) to prophesy - literally, to consume God’s Word and seek His revelation, with the expressed purpose of sharing it to a generation that faces an Assyrian-style ultimate end. The more we read God’s Word, the more we learn His character, the more we see the same scenarios of redemption and judgment mounting around us, and the more faithfully we respond to life’s ever-changing social, economic, and religious climates. The Bible reveals attitudes and actions we once considered acceptable to a holy God as dangerously offensive.

I have seen several world dictators come and go in my time: Manuel Noriega, Idi Amin, Sadam Hussein, Pol Pot, Kim Il Sung, Augusto Pinochet, Papa Doc Duvalier, Efrain Rios Montt, Slobodan Milosevic, Foday Sankoh…and many more. They were all men of lies and violence. And they led bloodthirsty regimes that kept whole nations in terror but only for a season. This describes the Assyrians, the fiercest nation of their day. And they bore the filthiness of the flesh and spirit. Prostitution and sorcery were openly accepted as they worshipped their demonic gods. Therefore, God’s face was against them.

Today’s chapter tells of the inevitable end of such nations, along with all who follow in their corruption. When I lived in California, two blocks from where I used to study the Bible in the mornings, there was a “palm reader.”  The palm reading establishment was a well-kept residence; it had a nicely manicured lawn, and the neon sign read “open.”  Sorcery. Three miles away, women were walking the streets, sauntering up to cars, negotiating their bodies for sale. A mile in the other direction, at a local shopping center, I recall being handed a brochure urging me to vote to protect “marital equality,” which was code for “gay marriage.”  And we think our country’s present economic and political downturn is simply the natural response to market and geopolitical conditions? In the words of Nahum: WAKE UP!!

We, too, must “eat” The Book! Read the Bible. Savor its sweetness. Our eyes must be opened to God and (ultimately) to our sinful selves. Yes, it will sour our stomachs, but the restoration that comes from its knowledge is something for which we will be eternally grateful. Hence, we are compelled to share it with others so that they, too, might escape the certain coming judgment.