"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

It is hard to rejoice in the midst of pain and sadness.  It is hard to feel the joy of Christmas when we know families are grieving.  It is hard to celebrate in the midst of suffering, and yet, we can find strength and joy (which is not the same as happiness) in the company of God.  In times of need, I have been so grateful to those friends and family who have been there for me.  In my pain and sadness, their company did not take it away, but it sure made it more bearable.  God did not create us for isolation.  And even when we are alone, he is with us.  May you find comfort in him today.

Readings:  Habakkuk 1:1-3:19; Revelation 9:1-21; Psalm 137:1-9; Proverbs 30:10

"Two things I ask of you, O Lord... Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God." -- Proverbs 30:7-9

I am challenged by the second request of this text.  It's not that I want riches, though I think I'd probably like to be tested in that way... It's not that I fear losing sight of God if I were rich or poor.  I'm challenged because if I were to be granted two wishes, I don't know what they would be.  The two requests this proverb writer gives shows wisdom far beyond mine.

So if you had two wishes, what would they be?

Readings:  Nahum 1:1-3:19; Revelation 8:1-13; Psalm 136:1-26; Proverbs 30:7-9

"Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." -- Revelation 7:16-17

 A timely passage for the events of this time, wouldn't you say?

Readings:  Micah 5:1-7:20; Revelation 7:1-17; Psalm 135:1-21; Proverbs 30:5-6

"Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord." -- Psalm 134:2

Today, it is hard to sing praise to the Lord, for yesterday we were struck by the grim reality that sick people can do horrific things.  In Connecticut, innocent children and teachers lost their lives and many are questioning how God could allow such things to happen.  While I do not claim to understand the ways of God, I do believe we have freedom to walk in step with God or turn and go a different way.  The murderous act that happened yesterday was not an act of God.  It was an act done separate from God, for God is Love, and that was not an act of love.  If you wish to know where God was in all of that, look at the response from the countless people who care and weep with those who are grieving. look at the love that is pouring out toward those whose lives are wrecked by this.  If you are asking "where is God in this," then you will find it not in the act, but in this case, the response.  How are you responding?  Pray for them today.

Readings:  Micah 1:1-4:13; Revelation 6:1-17; Psalm 123:1-3; Proverbs 30:1-4

"The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. -- Jonah 1:1-3a

This is one of the greatest stories in all of Scripture.  Jonah is called by God to step out of the familiar and into the wild.  The people of Ninevah were despised by Jonah, and he could not bring himself to obey God and love those people.  And so he tried to hide from God by fleeing and stowing away on a ship headed in another direction.  It's an ancient tale, but it's a tale for today.  We are called by God each day to deal with people we don't like in a way that would honor him, and like the children we are, we just don't want to.  So we turn away from them, and turn away from God, and set out to live our life by our own terms.  Before long, we find ourselves isolated and cold, as if in the belly of a whale.  Life is just so much better when we live for God's purposes over our own.

Readings:  Jonah 1:1-4:11; Revelation 5:1-14; Psalm 133:1-3; Proverbs 29:26-27

"The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head." -- Obadiah 1:15

It is a centuries-old truth:  what goes around comes around... or is it what comes around goes around?  Either way, it's a form of karma-- do good and good happens to you.  If you want a friend, be a friend... but reality is that we can be good all the time, and still bad things can happen.  Our behavior is not a prescript for the experiences of our life.  People who do bad things still get to live lives good people only dream about.  So what gives?  Here's the thing:  it's not a zero-sum game.  You can be good, righteous, and loving, and still bad things can happen to you, yes.  But when you do these things, they're done in the context of relationship.  When you feed relationships with love, support, and encouragement, you teach others to show love, support, and encouragement as well.  When everyone does that together, when bad things happen, people rally together and help each other through.  If you live a life of hate, harming others in your path, when bad times come, who will be there for you?  Yes, you can be good and still have bad things happen, but there is truth in the notion of reaping what you sow.  So do unto others, because they will do unto you one way or another.

Readings:  Obadiah 1:1-21; Revelation 4:1-11; Psalm 132:1-18; Proverbs 29:24-25

"You are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!" -- Revelation 3:15

These words might seem harsh.  They speak to the usefulness of a people.  John was writing to the church in Laodicea, and he knew the place.  It was situated geographically in such a way that its water supply was lukewarm in temperature.  Cold water refreshes and hot water cleanses, but lukewarm water isn't good for much.  They were a rich people and secure in their minds.  So they are challenged to change it up a bit.  I suppose the prophet's job has always been to comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.  This is what John was doing here... trying to afflict the comfortable into action.  

It takes us time to establish routine.  For some, it takes years of effort and pain.  Once we reach our spot of predictability, maybe it's time to shake it up a bit.  Don't ever get comfortable in your serving and growing in God.  You won't arrive, and I believe God would have us continually move his purposes ahead in time.

Readings:  Amos 7:1-9:15; Revelation 3:7-22; Psalm 131:1-3; Proverbs 29:23