"Woe!" December 19 Readings: Habakkuk 2:6-3:19, Revelation 8, Psalm 144:5–11, Proverbs 31:1-2

Today's Readings - Habakkuk 2:6-3:19, Revelation 8, Psalm 144:5–11, Proverbs 31:1-2

Devotional - Woe!

I love it when our readings come together like I planned it, or as if, perhaps, there were some kind of Holy Spirit working in the word of God to bring things together in perfect harmony. All four of our readings today have a common theme. Unfortunately, it is not a theme of joy, or encouragement, or victory. It is a theme of woe. Judgment. God's wrath against sin.

We spoke of Habakkuk's message yesterday, but here he pronounces the "woe" of God on the Babylonians, those God used to punish his people. God may use evil for his purposes, but he still punishes it as surely as the earth revolves around the sun.

In Revelation 8, we see the continuation of God's plan of wrath being poured out on the earth as the seventh seal of Jesus' scroll is opened and seven angels step forward to blow trumpets announcing escalating judgments on the world in which a third of all the earth is destroyed.

Our Psalm (144) calls for God to come down from heaven in awesome power and glory, to deliver David and to destroy the enemies of his people.

Finally, Proverbs 31 begins with a question from King Lemuel to his son. "What are you doing?" More than one father has asked his son such a question. Why, son, why? He is obviously dismayed at his choices - it seems he was giving himself over to wine, women, and song - and Lemuel wanted to steer him away from the terrible consequences of these choices.

Four readings, four tales of sin, woe, judgment and the hand of God. The common themes?

1. Sin brings terrible consequences into the lives of those who choose it. Life is choices and choices have consequences. We are free to reject God's ways but we cannot do so with impunity. Sin brings with it it's own pain and suffering. 
2. God will surely deal with and defeat his enemies. Evil men abound in this world and strike terror in our hearts, but they have sealed their own fate! When they stand against the reign of Christ in this world they are without hope. Jesus stands supreme in the end. 

So, while this world can be depressing, fearful, and challenging, but our Lord is supreme. He is glorious and powerful and will overcome all foes. I need fear nothing in this world, not even my own death, because Jesus defeated sin, death, hell, Satan, and anything else that can destroy me.

So, in this world of woe, we can rejoice that we have been included in Christ and blessed in him.

Father, I thank you for my salvation, my blessings, and the confidence I have in your eternal victory. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Do you take seriously the woe of sin, the consequences that come on those who sin and the discipline of God?
Do you also remember the unceasing love of God and the glorious redemptive work in Christ?
One key to successful Christian living is balancing the fear of the Lord with our security in Christ.