Day Sixty-Seven -- Joyful, Gathered, Challenged and Saved

Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, and Zechariah

This is our last full day of reading in the Old Testament, and like yesterday we cover four of the twelve minor prophets. Tomorrow we read the final book (Malachi) and then, with more than two-thirds of our Bible Challenge behind us, we will launch into the New Testament.   But first, let's see what's left to hear today from the Hebrew prophets. Each of them, speaking to different audiences, give us memorable words to ponder in our hearts.

For Habakkuk, faith in the LORD is not dependent upon success: "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes 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 rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior" (Habakkuk 3:17-18).

Zephaniah begins with a sweeping warning that the wickedness of humanity will result in the destruction of all of creation, and yet God has not forgotten his people: "I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered.  I will give them praise and honor in every land where they were put to shame" (Zephaniah 3:19).

The brief writing of Haggai calls the people out of their self-absorption and to remember to honor the LORD by rebuilding the Temple: "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains in ruin?" (Haggai 1:4).

And finally, Zechariah foretells the day when a king will come and proclaim peace to the nations, and his rule will extend from sea to sea: "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!  Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!  See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."  (Zechariah 9:9).

Tomorrow will indeed be a day for beginning the next phase of our journey with God . . .