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

 

 

Reading the Bible in 2023

Each day this year we will read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a portion of the Psalms, and part of Proverbs. By the end of the year, you will have read the entire Bible. We read this way to give you a bit of variety. In reading four portions of God's word in a day, one of them is bound to speak to your life!

NOTE: If you get behind, do not give up. Read today's readings and try to catch up when you have a chance. The goal is not to "accomplish a task" but to meet God in his word. Read the word. Also, if you are short on time, READ GOD'S WORD and skip my devotional!

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

    Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version 

Daily 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 its 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, 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. 

 

Consider God's Word:

Did one of these passages speak strongly to you today? Which one? 

Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages? 

Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to? 

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.