MICAH, NAHUM, HABAKKUK, ZEPHANIAH, & HAGGAI

Mike Mutchler Saturday, June 14, 2008 MINOR PROPHETS This morning, I read Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Haggai.  I don't have the time to write something about each of these books, and they are filled with thoughts.  1) SAMARIA- Micah 1:5 says:  "What is the transgression of Jacob?  is it not Samaria?"  Samaria was the compromise.  Not going to Jerusalem to offer sacrifice, but offering a sacrifice somewhere closer and more convenient, but God is not impressed with convenience.  Sacrifice, ought to be a sacrifice.  Isn't that the way people worship God today, when it's convenient they will come to church, when it's convenient they will tithe, etc.  Don't give into the call of Samaria. 2) GOD DOES NOT LOOK ON EVIL- HABAKKUK 1:13 says: "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity."  This is why when Jesus was on the cross, God the father, and God the Holy Spirit, turned away from God the Son when He bore all of our sins, and Jesus cried out:  "My God, My God!  Why hast thou forsaken Me?"  It was because God is of purer eyes to behold evil, and Jesus bore our evil on the cross! 3) MAKE IT PLAIN- In Habakkuk 2:2 the Bible says: "Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it."  Straight preaching and teaching is what is needed.  Not that which is above the heads of the people, and certainly not that which goes in circles so that no one knows exactly what you mean or even what you are saying.  We need plain speech and straight forward preaching!  This will change us and our people! 4) FAITH IN DARK DAYS- It is easy to have faith when all goes well, but faith in dark days are what is needed.  Habakkuk 3:17,18 spells this out:  "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."  This is a great example of "faith in dark days".  May we have this same faith for whatever we may face in the future! 5) BUILD THE HOUSE!!  Haggai 1:8 says: "build the house".  God is telling the people who have come back from the captivity that they have built their own houses but have not built the house of the LORD.  God says: "build the house, and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD."  What do you think about your church?  That building is special because God meets with His people there.  That is why we want to take good care of the house of God.  He dwells in us, but meets with us at Church!! Hope you have a great day!  Pastor Mike Mutchler