Daily Dose of Hope

November13, 2024

Day 4 of Week 33

Scripture: Micah 1-4; Psalm 10; Matthew 24

Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church Daily Bible reading plan. Today is Wednesday so I hope we see you at Recharge tonight. It starts at 6:30pm in the Garage. This is really a lovely time of worship, fellowship, prayer, and small community.

Today, we are taking a break from Isaiah (considered a major prophet) and moving to Micah, which is another minor prophet. Micah, whose name means “who is a God like you,” lived during the 8th century BC, which makes him a contemporary of Isaiah. Micah prophesied a message of judgement and restoration to Judah which actually leads to a revival in the Southern Kingdom. During the first four chapters, which we read for today, there is an emphasis on the people sinning by oppressing the poor, listening to false prophets, and engaging in idolatry. However, there is also a sense that the Lord is calling the people back to him. All is not lost. God is merciful and ready to forgive. There is definitely a difference in tone between this book and Isaiah; it feels slightly more hopeful. Did you notice that? I would love to hear your thoughts on why that might be.

Our psalm for today, Psalm 10, is really an important one. It’s a psalm of David and we might call it a psalm for those who think God doesn’t care. David starts off in verse one, Why, LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” David holds nothing back. He writes about how the wicked man “murders the innocent.” And yet, David feels as though “God will never notice; he covers his face and never sees.”

This psalm is a great example for us. It is perfectly okay for us to pour out our raw and unfiltered emotions to God. God has broad shoulders; he can take it. According to Matthew 6:8, he already knows our hearts and desires better than we do. There are people in our lives who may struggle with us expressing these difficult emotions, but God never will. However, we find that the tone changes in verse 11. While we can surely bring our pain, struggles, and questions to God, we need to eventually move into a place a faith. But the key here is to keep the conversation going. Wrestle with God as much as needed and see how he works in you; stay in connection and he will guide you to a place of faith.

Let’s move to Matthew 24, our New Testament text for today. This chapter begins with Jesus walking away from the temple and predicting its destruction. Keep in mind, the entire temple was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70. So, as we read this chapter, some of the statements are clearly referring to the coming judgment on Jerusalem and others are referring to judgment at the end of the age. And to make it just slightly more confusing, there is overlap in these judgments as well.

Certain groups of Christians have focused a great deal on the coming judgment and the end times. I think what we find in this chapter is that there is more that we don’t know than what we do know. For thousands of years, people have predicted Jesus’ return and the coming judgment and each and every time, they’ve been wrong. I’m always a bit skeptical of anyone who makes predictions like these. I mean, the Scripture says, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” If Jesus doesn’t know, then why should we?

But what can we do? Well, the Scripture tells us: Keep watch and be ready. We don’t need to worry about the coming judgment because we know Jesus. But we do need to be actively living as a follower. We need to sharing the Good News with others. We need to be genuine, loving, and truthful in how we do life. Do your neighbors know that you love Jesus? Do your coworkers know that you follow Jesus? Is your faith obvious and real? Why or why not? Let’s take this Scripture seriously, friends.

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki