A unique prophecy book, the Prophet Habakkuk complains to God, getting God's attention why Judah was suffering under the Assyrians & how God would use Babylon (Chaldea) to punish Judah & Assyria. The struggle of Habakkuk- Why God is not doing something about the sufferings around us is a question asked, over and over again.

Most of us have this in mind, we are too polite to ask God & feel it's not right to question Him. But when we read Habakkuk, we realize, God allows this- God put it down, just like Lamentations. God wants us to process our feelings & emotions not suppress it. If you have questions-check your Bible, you’ll find the reasons, but if you can't - ask God directly. That's the beauty of us as Christians. We have a personal relationship with God, when we don't understand why, we can come humbly, reverently, & boldly to our Abba Father - that's the balance.

What do we learn? Kingdoms come & go but God delivers His people. If we look back on how God has been good to us-in the midst of fear, even if everything was taken from us, when you just have enough to stand for 1 leg & you thought you'll die - you know that God is on the throne -God has a plan. He remembers His own, Rest in Him.

Nahum prophesied the fullness of God’s final judgement & anger towards the Assyrian empire, 150yrs after Jonah warned Nineveh bringing about initial repentance. But reverted back to plundering & brutal treatment of God's people and other nations. Nineveh's destruction & annihilation came about 50 yrs. later.

Remember the Town of Capernaum in the New Testament? Caper-Nahum. “Caper” means village, Village of Nahum. Nahum is a well-respected prophet even among the Muslims. His tomb is somewhere in Mesopotamia, revered by the Muslims.

The perpetual cycle of human oppression, violence, & suffering has been replicated down through centuries. We have considered it a normal part of life. God is very grieved by this. Do you care? Are you willing to lift a finger for the oppressed?

One day, God will avenge but today, do something. May the Book of Nahum be a guidebook for you.

Micah was a contemporary of the prophet Isaiah. Both of them ministered to the people of Judah, Southern kingdom at a time of prosperity. Micah spent time caring for the poor, victims of injustice & gave warnings of the coming destruction. Isaiah dealt mostly with the King's courts, rebuking immorality & idolatry. So there was religion but there's no righteous living. There was ritualistic religion, but no righteous living.

But there's always a promise of restoration, hope, & peace. Micah wrote of Nations shall not lift up swords against nations, neither shall there be war anymore (4:3). And the prophecy in (5:2) about the ruler in Israel that will come forth, the everlasting Kingdom is Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem.

May we learn to remember and help the poor, do it quietly. God requires us to do justice, to love mercy, & to walk humbly with Him. That's Christianity. May you know your God. Be like Him, reflect Him.

Jonah was sent by God to preach to the city of Nineveh (capital of Assyria) but he ran away. Though it's a familiar story, the truth is very few Christians believe & really understand this. It's more than just the story of a great fish swallowing a man- it’s about you and me & our enemies, about how narrow our love is. How we cannot stand that God loves our enemies, to pray for them that persecute us, though we are taught as Christians to do so. How often have we done that? And if God really is merciful to save our enemies, are we even rejoicing?

God is using Jonah to change us, to understand the love of God - so big, like the heavens, forgiveness -so free. "For I knew that You are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and relenting from disaster"(4:2). Hard to imagine & worse than that, hard to accept. May these truths give you a beautiful glimpse of the greatness of God's love, mercy, & forgiveness. May we love this God of great mercy. May you know your God!

Obadiah, meaning servant of Yahweh. During this era, the Edomites (descendants of Esau) rivalry against the Israelites (Jacob) lasted for 2,000 years. They took advantage of God's people whenever they were in distress (1:10).

This 1-chapter Bible book is very important for national leaders to read, this is the theology for all nations-how they deal with God's people (Israelites & Christians) or face God’s wrath as Edom did. For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done it, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head (1:15).

We see significant lessons unfolding throughout history, nations who protect Israel & nations who persecute Christians. God is fulfilling a promise He made to Abraham (Gen 12:3). A great warning even to all Christians, to take care of the least of God's people & you will be blessed.

Amos, meaning a burden bearer, he was a herdsman from the South and was sent to the Northern Kingdom to rebuke social injustice, idolatry, oppression, corruption among God’s chosen people. Amos & Hosea were the last chance prophets for the Northern Kingdom of Israel to “seek the Lord” (5:4) before judgment befalls them. But oftentimes, Israelites conform to sinful patterns & worthless worship of others. Amos’s warnings do not only proclaim disasters but also repentance.

Right now, we're going through a COVID-19 pandemic, a crisis like never before. When something happens, step back. Ask God for wisdom. Christians today must remember to heed God’s warnings, what can I do to respond? Demonstrate a transformed life in repentance to Yahweh. May this Book of Amos, looking very quaint & ancient, be very relevant. May God be very real to you, the God of justice & righteousness.

Joel’s message transcends it’s time, to expound the very nature of God and the expectation upon His chosen people. In these (3) chapters, Joel laments on the just judgment of God against His rebellious people, sin is rebellion against God. But the wonderful truth goes on to reveal the heart of the Father that desires genuine repentance - a change of mind, wholeheartedly only to bestow restoration (2:25), & blessings towards His people. God will protect His own forever and will avenge them their enemies.

We hope today if we ponder about the terrible past that haunts us, remember: God, not just forgives, forgets but restores. May we check our hearts & see our lives in the truth of this book. May you know God through this little book, know Him a little better

The Book of Hosea is the beginning of the 12 books of the minor prophets (shorter books), a collection of Hosea's prophecies for 25 yrs in Hebrew poetry. Amos & Hosea were the last 2 prophets who gave last warnings to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the King of Jeroboam II (before the fall to Assyrians). That period, the Israelites were prosperous but turned to worshiping golden idols, prosperity gods - forsaking Jehovah God. Sadly, this sounds familiar today just like ours.

Hosea was asked by God to marry a "wife of whoredom", Gomer (1:2). Her unfaithfulness to her husband parallels the unfaithfulness of Israel to God. The covenant between God and Israel, His love for Israel demonstrates who God is. "Chesed”, a Hebrew word meaning, steadfast love & righteous love is the theme all throughout. God's love is steadfast despite Israel's rejection of Him. Hosea lived that life of compassion so we can grasp & respond to the call, to experience God intimately.

We now come to The Prophetic part of The Book of Daniel. What can we learn from Daniel's vision and the interpretation of the vision about the Four Beasts; the Ram and the Goat?

May God bless you with peace in the midst of troubled nations and despite the turmoil in this world. But go your way till the end, and you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of days (12:13). May you make disciples of all nations and lead thousands of people into the eternal kingdom of God. Go your way Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed, until the time of the end (12:9).