Sunday (1/29)

This week we will read Nahum and Habakkuk from the Minor Prophets section of the Old Testament of The Bible. The prophet “Nahum presents a message of devastation. Ninevah/Assyria is the primary object of God’s wrath in” this brief biblical book of “poetic pieces joined together by editorial transitions” (Overview portion of the book of Nahum in The New Interpreter’s Bible One Volume Commentary). According to the Introduction portion of the book bearing his name in the NIV Study Bible, “Nahum…uttered this oracle between 663 and 612 B.C…This would place him during the reign of Josiah and make him a contemporary of Zephaniah and the young Jeremiah.”

 

“Among the prophetic writings, Habakkuk is somewhat unique in that it includes no oracle addressed to Israel. In contains, rather, a dialogue between the prophet and God” (Introduction portion of Habakkuk in the NIV Study Bible). In verse 6 of the first chapter the prophet predicts the Babylonians invasion. “Habakkuk, like Jeremiah, probably lived to see the initial fulfillment of his prophecy when Jerusalem was attacked by the Babylonians in 597” B.C. (Introduction portion of Habakkuk in the NIV Study Bible).

 

If you did not read the previous books of Genesis through Micah in 2022 and 2023, you are encouraged to watch the Bible Project video about the Old Testament to have a clearer understanding of the full story within the text of the Hebrew Bible using the link below. The video summarizes the scriptures of the ancient Jewish people that became the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. It is available on YouTube.

TaNaK/Old Testament by the Bible Project:

 

Below are some suggestions and questions to help you as you read scripture this week:

1. Approach scripture with humility. Seek to receive what the Bible reveals without trying to make it say what you want it to say.

2. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak a message to you through the verses you read.

3. What do these verses reveal about God?

4. What do these verses reveal about humanity?

5. What do these verses teach me about myself?

6. How do you see yourself in the story when reading biblical narratives?

Which of these characters would I be?

In what ways is their story similar to my story?

7. Read, study, and discuss the verses with another person or small group.

8. Use a Study Bible. The NIV, NRSV, ESV, and NLT Study Bibles are worth considering if you do not own one. There are a few available from the AUMC Library in the back of the Chapel. You can also purchase a Study Bible from ChristianBook.com, Cokesbury.com, or Amazon.com.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online for free.

 

 

Monday (1/30)

Read the verse from Psalm 83 that is below to begin your devotional time:

“Let them know that you alone;

whose name is the LORD,

are the Most High over all the earth.” – Psalm 83:18 NRSV

 

If you did not watch it sometime during the past few weeks, you are encouraged to watch The Prophets video by the Bible Project that is available on Youtube as an overview of the prophetic writings and books of the Old Testament before you begin reading and studying two of the Minor Prophets this week:

The Prophets by the Bible Project

 

Consider watching the Overview: Nahum video on Youtube by the Bible Project before beginning to read the verses today:

Overview: Nahum by the Bible Project

 

Read Nahum 1. If you are using a Study Bible, it will be helpful to read the Introduction for this book. As you read the verses for today invite the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s message to you through the biblical text.

 

Pray for people throughout the world experiencing overwhelming loss and sorrow because of devastation, war, and death. Remember that “the LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble” (Nahum 1:7a NIV).

 

 

Tuesday (1/31)

Read Psalm 83:18 as a reminder our God reigns over all the earth.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes or more alone with God silently listening for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit. If you struggle to listen, focus on the physical sounds you hear. The Spirit of the Lord can use the noises you hear to help you set your thoughts on the One who enables you to hear and perceive.

 

Read Nahum 2. You may find it helpful to choose questions from the Sunday list of this devotional to wrestle with as part of your study time. If you are using a Study Bible, consider reading the study notes to understand the chapters more clearly.

 

Pray for:

• Those closest to you (family members & friends)
• Those who point others towards God (pastors, teachers, mentors, authors, musicians, etc.)
• Leaders (locally, nationally, and globally)
• People in need throughout the world (the hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, imprisoned, neglected, abused, lost, etc.)

• Yourself (share your needs and invite the Lord to guide you)

 

 

Wednesday (2/1)

Read Psalm 83:18 as a prayer asking God to make himself known to all the nations of the earth.

 

Read Nahum 3. As you read the verses for today invite the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s message to you through the biblical text.

 

Pray through your day, including for the people you will be with or have been with, as well as what you will do or what you have done.

 

 

Thursday (2/2)

Read Psalm 83:18 as an opening prayer for your devotional time.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes or more alone with God silently listening. Be still physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritual, knowing that God is in charge and in control (Psalm 46:10). Don’t let your mind drift towards to-do-lists or tasks, but stop long enough to let your thoughts cease so that your only focus is being with the Lord.

 

Consider watching the Overview: Habakkuk video on Youtube by the Bible Project before beginning to read the verses today:

Overview: Habakkuk by the Bible Project

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPMaRqGJPUU

 

Read Habakkuk 1 and 2. If you are using a Study Bible, it will be helpful to read the Introduction for this book. As you read the verses for today invite the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s message to you through the text.

 

Pray in response to God using the ACTS acronym as a guide:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

 

 

Friday (2/3)

Read Psalm 83:18 as a reminder that our God is the King of all creation.

 

Read Habakkuk 3. You may find it helpful to choose questions from the Sunday list of this devotional to wrestle with as part of your study time. If you are using a Study Bible, consider reading the study notes to understand the chapters more clearly.

 

Pray in response to God based on the Bible verses. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your prayer and prayer time.

 

 

Saturday (2/4)

How are you going to remember and observe the Sabbath this weekend? The Sabbath is a day each week that is set apart from the others to stop, rest, worship, and delight in the Lord and what he has given us. Because of our very busy culture and over-scheduled lives you may need to incrementally observe the Sabbath by setting aside an increasing portion of a day each week beginning with an hour, then increasing it to multiple hours or part of a day the next weekend, and eventually designating an entire day for remembering and observing the Sabbath.

 

Read Psalm 46:10 and Psalm 37:7. These verses are a reminder to stop and “be still” in God’s presence. Our Sabbath theme for this weekend is “STOP.”

 

• How does stopping and “being still” help you to remember that Jesus is the King of kings?

 

• What are the things you need to stop worrying about today and during this season that you can offer to God in prayer?

 

• What work do you need to set aside for another day so that you can stop and focus on the Lord as you observe the Sabbath?

 

• How are you going to help others to stop working for at least a few hours this weekend?

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend ten, twenty, or thirty minutes alone with God seeking to rest in the peace that can only be found in and from the Lord. If you struggle to stop and rest, consider laying down, kneeling, or sitting on a very comfortable chair or seat. If you need a nap, then sleep so that your mind and body receive the rest that you need.

 

Read Matthew 12:1-13. The man in the synagogue in these verses was restored by Jesus on the Sabbath day. Christ can restore your heart, mind, and relationships. Jesus is described as the “author of life” in Acts 3:15. In addition to being our Creator, Christ is our Healer. His life reveals that the God who made us wants to be with us. What do you need to STOP doing today, or this weekend, so that you can be present with Jesus and receive the healing power Christ offers us?

 

• What part of your life needs the healing touch of Christ? Your body? Your soul? Your heart? Your mind? A relationship?

 

• How are you going to set the Sabbath apart this weekend from other days of the week?

 

Pray and live in response to the Lord of the Sabbath. You may find it helpful to use the words from the verses you read today as a guide for

your prayer.