And then there was silence...

Malachi, at last! We conclude the OT today with yet another stern warning from God through His prophet Malachi. Again, God's message is that sin must be dealt with. The chosen have turned away and not kept the law. Note ch2v17...how often do we fall into that line of thought! Who are we to question God? Ch3v6 is key, "I am the Lord, and do not change". God is still with us even today. He ends the OT with continued warning against the traps of sin, but does give hope in a solution to come! Ch4v5 talks about his coming. This was the end of direct communication for 400 years. Why the wait? Time matters not to God. He doesn't change. But He gives us an opportunity to do so!

Don't miss Jesus in Zechariah

Keeping in mind that Zechariah wrote around 500BC, you have to marvel at the detailed accuracy in which God inspired him to prophecy. Read ch12v10-11. You cannot miss Jesus. In fact, the final 3 chs of Zech are revealing end times. These are not written to scare, but to warn and to keep believers on the ready. Time is running short, and as believers, we have an obligation to warn others. Are we truly ready? Time to get ourselves out of our comfort zone and take this seriously. Jesus has power in Zech. How can we miss it?

We do have a choice!

Zechariah wrote and prophesized around 500BC. Read ch9v9-10. God is truly in control and knows what is to come. But He allows us to choose, He will not force anyone to accept Him. However, He will not release us from the consequences of our choice! What we do today will matter. Do all with that on your mind! It is truly amazing how God gave Zech a vision of the king arriving on the donkey 500 years before it happened. See John ch12v14-15. Is there anything God cannot do? Yes. He cannot act contrary to His promises; He will not contradict His written word; and He will not accept evil. Thank you Jesus for stepping in and doing what we could not. The choice is ours, as are the consequences of that choice...

Find Him Again!

What is your prayer life temperature? Is it difficult to find time for such activity? If your fervor and commitment for God's work have been waning, chances are you need to stop and refocus on the wonderful character of God. The Israelites were wondering how to procedurally restart things in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, as noted in Zechariah. Ch 7-8 talk about fasting. Zechariah's message from God was that the way you live is more important than the way you fast. Don't give in to empty rituals! Come back and refocus on God. Look at His creation. Marvel at how He made a perfect solution for us. Thank Him for His involvement in our meager lives. Find Him again!

The coming Wrath

Warnings before sin...Isaiah 21-23 carry out further warnings against Israel's neighbors, but ch22 includes Jerusalem! It is amazing how we see and cheer on justice for others, but think we are spotless. God is providing warnings to Judah to change. But when you think you are doing right, why change! When you are allowing yourself into temptation, and thus planning to sin, you can justify your actions or allow the passion to help you overlook it. However, the remorse afterwards....if only there was a pre-warning about the remorse you'll feel. There is, God's Word and the Holy Spirit! We need to heed both, or suffer in the consequences of our sin. Isaiah gave this message to Judah and surrounding areas. For that, he was led to years of isolation and being outcast. But he was right

Events to come...

Happy Friday! We begin the book of Isaiah. This book follows an outline of the whole Bible. There are 66 chapters, of which the first 39 are devoted to Jerusalem's folly, judgement and condemnation. The latter 27 chapters offer hope and reconciliation. There is much foreshadowing and prophecy revealed in Jesus also. Written around 700 BC, Isaiah remarkably hits key events in the future. Actually it is not remarkable, as God is inspiring him in the writing. During the time of the writing, the Assyrians have control and are opressing Judah. Israel (northern kingdom has fallen). The people of Judah have fallen into sinful patterns and basically turned from God. Ch1 v10-17 detail how fed up God is. But ch1v18 gives us hope. Jesus also uses this wording during his earthly ministry. Ch2 offers some interesting prophecy.

Building others...

Making preparations, getting ready. After all, you plan out things to pack for a trip, why not plan out a significant building project? In 1 Chronicles 22-27, we read about King David's planning out of the temple project, including who will serve, how they will serve, when and for how long they will serve. To a casual reader, these chapters might be easy to gloss over, but God felt it was important enough to include in scripture for over 2,000 years! A key to David's planning was to make not only the project successful, but the one leading it, his son Solomon! Think about how you are making those around you successful. Even John the Baptist realized his role and said that he must diminish and Christ increase. Great lesson of humility and sacrifice (living) to be