Wake-up Call

Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!

Haggai 1:5

As I shared a message from Haggai yesterday, I couldn’t help but reflect on one of my dad’s favorite sayings. Particularly during my teen years, dad was known to deliver it with a stern expression. He would say, “Son, think about what you are doing.” Now, I would be the first to admit that it was well deserved. Dad had a unique way of enlarging my perspective on a situation! The words of the Lord of hosts in Haggai 1:5 were not directed at a teenager. In fact, the prophet Haggai was speaking to a governor and the son of the high priest. The application of those words spread to the exiles that had returned to Jerusalem during the 6^th Century B.C. It was a wake-up call. The exiles went home to rebuild the temple. After a while, the work on the temple stalled and their attention shifted away from the house of God to their own houses.

It’s a historical scenario that sheds light on some dangerous tendencies. It’s easy in life to lose focus. The shift from God’s plans and purposes slowly fades and our own pursuits gain traction. Our time, energy and resources take on a selfish trajectory. Taken personally, the message of Haggai 1:5 reads, “Consider the direction of your life!” It’s a wake-up call that most of us need to hear from time to time.

Warning signs for leaders

Zephaniah 3:-3-4

Her princes in her midst are roaring lions; Her judges are evening wolves that leave not a bone till morning. Her prophets are insolent, treacherous people; Her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.

Leadership sins. The prophet Zephaniah deals with the sins of Judah. In this particular passage, the prophet pulls back the curtain to expose the sins of leadership. It's not at all surprising to me that the pitfalls that were prominent in the 7th century B.C. continue to surface in leaders today. So wise leaders will pay attention to the iniquities of the past. First, beware of arrogance. Her princes were roaring lions. The roar of a lion announces importance. In today's culture there are many paths, social and otherwise that lead to self-promotion. When we are not saying "Hey! Look at me", we are thinking of better ways to say, "Hey! Look at me". Second, her judges were self-serving. They were like wolves that stayed up late to satisfy their own carnal appetites. Do I really need to elaborate? Third, the prophets were insolent. Insolent is not a word I use often. However, consider this definition: showing a lack of respect. Disrespect is epidemic. Finally, the priests polluted what was holy. In general, I believe this equates to a loss of what is sacred and a casual treatment of God’s holiness. Once again, today’s leaders face significant challenges when resisting the erosion of truth. Thanks to Zephaniah, we have some clear cut warning signs.

Complacency

“And it shall come to pass at that time that I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and punish the men who are settled in complacency, who say in their heart, ‘The Lord will not do good, nor will He do evil.’  

Zephaniah 1:12

It’s unfortunate. Zephaniah is another one of those small books in the Old Testament that can be easily overlooked. Three short chapters begin with a portrait of impending judgment. Zephaniah cries out, “The day of the Lord is near”. When the light of the Lord shines on Jerusalem it exposes a particular group of people. Zephaniah does not lack for descriptions of iniquity. But, among the descriptions of idolatry and indifference, I am drawn to the imagery of complacency. Sometimes the phrase is translated “settled on their lees”. In other words, God compares people to the sediment of grapes during the process of making wine. I’m no expert on wine-making, but I understand the message. The initial contribution of grapes is essential, but there comes a time to move on from the dregs! In Zephaniah, God’s judgment is coming upon those who have made complacency a permanent residence. Despite the messages of the prophets, the people became indifferent in their attitude toward the presence and power of God. The message delivers a fresh warning for today. When it comes to your relationship with God, are you living in the dregs? How would you describe your passion for following the Lord? When it comes to a dynamic and passionate relationship with God, complacency can be a bit of a silent killer. Zephaniah provides both diagnosis and treatment. Consider the answer found in Zephaniah 2:3, and “Seek the Lord” this week.

A different way to live

Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no 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 hills.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Last week I spent a lot of time considering what it means to “live by faith”. Habakkuk 2:4 contrasts the one who lives by faith with the proud person who refuses. How does the life of faith differ? Habakkuk closes with a beautiful hymn of thanksgiving that provides at least one answer. It begins with a brief summary of dire circumstances. The trees fail to bloom; the crops yield no fruit and the livestock are cut off from the normal staples of protection. I am somewhat removed from a day-to-day agrarian lifestyle, but the message is not lost. The specifics of life’s challenges are not the point. After every “though” in the hymn, the prophet presents visible reminders of just how tough life can be. 

Sometimes our surroundings assault our senses. We see and hear and feel the relentless attack. As a result, it is easy to base life on circumstances rather than the “God of our salvation”. Habakkuk’s hymn points us back to the life of faith. For me, the most important word in the hymn is the three-letter word, “yet”. Ultimately, it is a song of trust. From a Nazi prison cell, Dietrich Bonhoeffer was able to translate the heart of Habakkuk’s hymn into his own situation as follows: “By good powers wonderfully hidden, we await cheerfully, come what may.”  My God give us strength to praise Him on those days when God’s good powers seem wonderfully hidden from plain sight. It’s essential to add the word “yet” to our vocabulary.