The prophet Zephaniah preached during a moment of choice in Israel’s history. For more than fifty years the nation had drifted spiritually under the leadership of Manasseh and Amon. Idolatry filled the land and complacency filled the hearts of the people. Then God raised up King Josiah, a ruler who desired reform and repentance. During his reign the Lord sent Zephaniah to call the nation back before judgment fell. His message still speaks with urgency today because every person must choose whom they will serve.

Habakkuk is not a record of sermons preached to the people. It is a record of a conversation between a prophet and his God. It is one of the most honest conversations recorded anywhere in Scripture. It reminds us that faith does not become silent in the face of questions. Faith brings questions into the presence of the Lord.

One of the greatest dangers in the Christian life is not always open rebellion against God. Often the greater danger is believing lies that make sin appear acceptable.

Throughout history people have convinced themselves that wrong things were right. They have justified greed, pride, and selfishness while still claiming to follow God.

The prophet Micah was sent by God to confront a nation that had begun to believe lies instead of truth.

There are moments in life when we find ourselves in places we never imagined we would be.

Sometimes those places are created by the brokenness of this world. Sometimes they are the result of the choices of others. And sometimes, if we are honest, those places are the result of our own decisions.

The story of Jonah reminds us that even when we find ourselves in dark places, God is still present, God is still working, and God is still pursuing His purpose.

The heart of the book of Jonah is not about a fish but a fleeing prophet and a faithful God.

Jonah is about a heart that drifted from obedience. It is about a man who allowed something else to define him more than his calling. It is about compromise, discipline, identity, and mercy. And if we are honest, we will find ourselves somewhere in this story.

Because all of us have had moments when the Word of the Lord was clear and we went the other way.

Before we ever step into the book of Jonah, we must understand something foundational. The story of Jonah is not ultimately about a storm, a ship, or even a sea creature. It is about the Gospel. It is about the heart of God toward sinners.

The book of Obadiah is small enough to miss if you are turning too quickly, but it is strong enough to shake you if you are listening carefully. This little book, only twenty-one verses long, carries a weight far heavier than its size would suggest. It is not filled with narrative drama. It does not record miracles. It does not introduce us to a towering personality like Elijah or Isaiah. Instead, it gives us a single, focused message, a word from God against a nation called Edom.

And yet, if we listen closely, we discover it is not only about Edom.

·      It is about pride.

·      It is about resentment.

·      It is about revenge.

·      It is about justice.

And ultimately, it is about the condition of the human heart.

The final words of Amos remind us that judgment is real, but judgment is not the end. God always has restoration in view. God always has a future planned. Even in the darkest warnings, there is hope on the horizon.

Amos ends his prophecy by lifting the eyes of the people forward and saying, in effect, “It will be bad, but it will not end bad. A new day is coming.”

In Amos we see that one of the most dangerous spiritual conditions a person can be in is not rebellion, but routine.  It is possible to be surrounded by the things of God while remaining distant from the heart of God. One can sing the songs, bow the head, give the tithe, attend the services, and yet never truly encounter the Lord.
The prophet Amos was sent to a nation that believed itself secure, blessed, and religiously faithful. Israel was enjoying peace and prosperity. Their worship calendar was full. Their altars were active. But God saw something far deeper than their ceremonies, He saw hearts untouched by repentance.

Amos shows us something that most people would rather avoid. It is uncomfortable. It interrupts routines. It challenges assumptions about what faith looks like in ordinary life. It is the overlooking of the afflicted and poor and the responsibility of those who know God when they encounter it.

We live in a world that is both connected and distracted. We can see suffering across the globe in seconds, yet we can scroll past it just as quickly. We know about hunger, poverty, loneliness, anxiety, depression and worry. At the same time, we are busy with work schedules, family needs, financial pressure, health concerns, and exhaustion. It is easy to say, “I care,” while quietly doing nothing but the just the common “I’ll pray for you” comment.

The prophet Amos was sent into a situation that sounds familiar. Remember, Israel was doing well by outward standards. The economy was strong. Cities were growing. Religious life was active. Worship services were still happening. Songs were still being sung. Offerings were still being given. From the outside, it looked like a nation under blessing.

But God saw something different. He saw a nation growing comfortable while the poor were being crushed. He saw people who spoke His name but did not reflect His heart. He saw worship that sounded right but lives that were wrong.

And God sent Amos to speak when everyone else preferred silence.