Scripture Reference: Lamentations 3:19–26
What do you do when the worst possible scenario comes true? How do you live with incredible hurt but hope? The writer of Lamentations gives us a glimpse into the heart of God for his people, even as they suffer. Learning to lament well is essential to Christian maturity.
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Scripture Reference: Haggai 2:1-9
The Temple meant that God was present with Israel. But it was destroyed and under judgment. Jesus said he WAS the Temple and would be judged on our behalf. Why? So he could make his church the new locale for his presence and each believer into a temple for the Holy Spirit.
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Scripture Reference: Zephaniah 3:14-20
There are good days and there are bad days. Zephaniah prophesies about a terrifying Day of the Lord where God will judge his people. And yet, he follows up these dire predictions with some of the most tender, borderline sentimental expressions of affection from God. How can both be true? Only in the resurrection!
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Scripture Reference: Habakkuk 1:12–2:4; 3:17–19
God uses unjust nations to judge injustice, and Habakkuk waits in perplexity. The so called “Problem of Evil” is famously dragged out to justify abandonment of the God of the Bible. But what Habakkuk learn is that the “righteous shall live by faith.” And there, we find a life rooted in hope beyond circumstance.
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Scripture Reference: Micah 5:2-5a
The persistent rebellion of God’s people leads the prophet Micah to say some sobering things about God’s judgment upon them, even to the point of saying that he will “leave them” for being such. But there’s hope even in exile as we wait for THE Good Shepherd to rescue and lead his people.
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