Messages from Heaven Part 2, Friday

0:00Hey kids, welcome to Junior's for Jesus. Go grab your Bibles. We're gonna be digging in and learning some really exciting stories. Let's get started. We're learning this week about messages from heaven, from the minor prophets. Yesterday we learned about the prophet, Nahum. Nahum's message was all about a city called Nineveh. Using vivid pictures and strong words to describe how the people needed to treat others more fairly and to follow justice. Nahum wanted to make sure everyone knew that treating others with kindness was all a part of following God's law. Nahum's message, sadly, wasn't just about giving a lecture. He wanted people to understand that actions have consequences. But most of the people in Nineveh ignored Nahum's message and the city was eventually destroyed. Our memory verse for this week has been Micah, chapter 7 verse 18. It reads,

1:00Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He does not retain his anger forever because he delights in mercy. That's Micah, chapter 7 verse 18. Friday. Habakkuk prophesied about 25 years before the Babylonians first invaded the kingdom of Judah. His book is a talk between himself and God about that invasion. Let's listen in, Habakkuk. God, how long must I complain about the wickedness going on among your people? Day after day, I see nothing but trouble. Strife and violence are everywhere. And there is no justice. But you aren't doing anything about it. I just can't stand it any longer. God, just keep watching Habakkuk.

2:01You wouldn't believe what I'm going to do about it. Even if someone told you, I'm going to let the Babylonians or the Caldeans come and make war everywhere. And they will think their heathen God gives them their victories. Habakkuk, how can you let the Babylonians do that? The sins of your people are bad, but the wickedness of the Babylonians is worse. How long will you let them punish your people? I will climb up a tower and watch while I wait for his answer. God, Habakkuk, write everything I tell you and make it so clear that anyone can understand it. What I say won't happen for a long time, but wait for it. Obedient people will live by faith through the trouble that's coming. Habakkuk, chapter two, verse four, behold the proud. His soul is not upright in him, but the just shall live by his faith. Babylon will be punished too. And the day is coming when everyone will know

3:04that I am a just God. I am in my holy temple, watching and controlling everything. Just be quiet, verse 20. But the Lord is in his holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before him. Habakkuk, yes, God, I have heard of the amazing, awesome things that you have done in the past. Then Habakkuk ended his book with a hymn of faith and trust, the kind of faith and trust that we must have. Habakkuk, chapter three, verses 17 through 19, though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit beyond the vines, though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields you'll know food. Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength. He will make my feet like deer's feet, and he will make me walk on my high heels.

4:07Now let's apply it. What did God say to Habakkuk? Habakkuk, chapter three, for the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie, though it tarries, wait for it, because it will surely come. It will not tarry. Although Judas punishment by the Babylonians might seem delayed, it will surely come. That promise also means that the coming of Jesus might seem delayed too, but he will certainly come. Hebrews, chapter 10, verse 37, for yet a little while, and he who is coming will come, and will not tarry. This podcast is brought to you by my Bible first. Visit us at mybiblefirst.org to find other great resources for children, youth, and adults. All of our resources are geared to help you understand the Bible better.