365: Habakkuk 1-3
scripture for today: Habakkuk 1-3
prayer emphasis: Pray for your family members, those you get along with and any that you don’t.
think about it:
I am a sucker for the dramatic. My roommate makes fun of me because, like my dad, I will cry at pretty much anything. Two sure fire ways of bringing me to my emotional side are to talk about the greatness of God and to put string music behind whatever is being said. Habakkuk 3 does just that. He wrote a beautiful prayer describing the greatness of our God and even left instructions for it to be accompanied by stringed instruments. You may not be overly emotional like me, but take time out of your day to read this prayer and imagine the stringed instruments bowing a beautiful melody in your head.
This prayer was sung by the prophet Habakkuk:
I have heard all about you, LORD. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy.
I see God moving across the deserts from Edom, the Holy One coming from Mount Paran. His brilliant splendor fills the heavens, and the earth is filled with his praise. His coming is as brilliant as the sunrise. Rays of light flash from his hands, where his awesome power is hidden. Pestilence marches before him; plague follows close behind. When he stops, the earth shakes. When he looks, the nations tremble. He shatters the everlasting mountains and levels the eternal hills. He is the Eternal One! I see the people of Cushan in distress, and the nation of Midian trembling in terror.
Was it in anger, LORD, that you struck the rivers and parted the sea? Were you displeased with them? No, you were sending your chariots of salvation! You brandished your bow and your quiver of arrows. You split open the earth with flowing rivers. The mountains watched and trembled. Onward swept the raging waters. The mighty deep cried out, lifting its hands to the LORD. The sun and moon stood still in the sky as your brilliant arrows flew and your glittering spear flashed.
You marched across the land in anger and trampled the nations in your fury. You went out to rescue your chosen people, to save your anointed ones. You crushed the heads of the wicked and stripped their bones from head to toe. With his own weapons, you destroyed the chief of those who rushed out like a whirlwind, thinking Israel would be easy prey. You trampled the sea with your horses, and the mighty waters piled high.
I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear. My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror. I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us. Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. Habakkuk 3
365: Nahum 1-3
scripture for today: Nahum 1-3
prayer emphasis: Pray for individuals not able to spend the Christmas season with their family.
365: Micah 5-7
scripture for today: Micah 5-7
prayer emphasis: Pray that the words you use would be uplifting.
365: Jonah 1-4
scripture for today: Jonah 1-4
prayer emphasis: Ask God to help you use your time wisely.
365: Obadiah 1
scripture for today: Obadiah 1
prayer emphasis: Pray for the spiritual growth of our church family.
365: Amos 7-9
scripture for today: Amos 7-9
prayer emphasis: Ask God to give you rest in the hustle and bustle of this busy season.
365: Amos 4-6
scripture for today: Amos 4-6
prayer emphasis: Ask God for opportunities of generosity in this Christmas season.
think about it:
Listen to me, you “fat cows” of Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy and who are always asking your husbands for another drink! The Sovereign LORD has sworn this by his holiness: “The time will come when you will be led away with hooks in your noses. Every last one of you will be dragged away like a fish on a hook! You will leave by going straight through the breaks in the wall; you will be thrown from your fortresses. I, the LORD, have spoken! Amos 4:1-3
Those “fat cows” the LORD was speaking of were the wealthy women of Samaria. They desired material possessions so much that they were willing to oppress others and displease God to get them.
We are in the most materialistic season of them all, and compared to those around the world and many in our own city, we are wealthy. We spend days, even weeks looking for the perfect Christmas gifts for others and even for ourselves and we get upset when we can’t find them. We get frustrated with cashiers and customer service personnel. We snarl our noses and roll our eyes at fellow customers. We even get a little snippy with our own families who fall victim to our post-shopping attitudes. We are fat cows!
Make sure you are not stepping on those around you during this busy season. The most important item on your to do list is not to find the gift but to exude the Gift you have received from God.
365: Amos 1-3
scripture for today: Amos 1-3
prayer emphasis: Pray for the finances of yourself, others, and the church.
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