Pastor Weekly - 5/20/26
Hello ICC Family!
Most Christians don’t spend much time reading the minor prophets in the Old Testament. That is understandable in many ways. Outside of the crazy story we find in the book of Jonah, those guys get a little repetitive. The pagan nations and peoples that they often were cursing seem far removed from present day. And yet… we are told that all Scripture is helpful and profitable to us. I love Bible reading programs because they help us take in all of God’s word. And when we read all of it - even the parts that seem like a waste of time, the Spirit, in his mercy and love, leads us to passages like this one in Habakkuk:
17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NLT)
I remember the first time I read and actually understood the message and love of those verses. I was in college and my parents were going through a difficult transition due to being let go from a job. There was betrayal involved. Financial insecurity. From my perspective - hours away, busy with college life - I was hurting for them. But then the Spirit led me to these verses and I was given something to pray for them. That even though things seemed difficult and dire… that they would be able to see God’s loving hand in their lives. That they would still rejoice in the Lord. That they would find joy and strength in their salvation. Not just to scrape by… but to the point that they would be dancing like a mountain goat on a cliff - sure-footed and carefree, even with what seemed like danger and calamity all around. The Lord eventually answered that prayer!
Since then, it seems like the Lord brings these verses back to me whenever I need them - for others, and for my family, and for myself. In every time of heartache and trouble, He is ready to remind us of his love and faithfulness. If that is where you are today, church, please take a moment to meditate and pray over these verses. You may feel empty, life may seem meaningless, your circumstances may look dire, your prospects may appear slim. Calamity and pain, trouble and need, cruelty and injustice may all seem to be extinguishing hope and joy from your life… But please know that is not actually the case. There is light. There is hope. And there is a new day coming. Remember the words of another prophet:
19 The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. 20 I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. 21 Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: 22 The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Lamentations 3:19-23
Praise be to God that today is a new day. This day has new mercies for you that will comfort you and help you in your time of need. Father, open our eyes to see them! Amen.
Blessings to you all!
And know that I am praying for you!
Pastor Aaron
Most Christians don’t spend much time reading the minor prophets in the Old Testament. That is understandable in many ways. Outside of the crazy story we find in the book of Jonah, those guys get a little repetitive. The pagan nations and peoples that they often were cursing seem far removed from present day. And yet… we are told that all Scripture is helpful and profitable to us. I love Bible reading programs because they help us take in all of God’s word. And when we read all of it - even the parts that seem like a waste of time, the Spirit, in his mercy and love, leads us to passages like this one in Habakkuk:
17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NLT)
I remember the first time I read and actually understood the message and love of those verses. I was in college and my parents were going through a difficult transition due to being let go from a job. There was betrayal involved. Financial insecurity. From my perspective - hours away, busy with college life - I was hurting for them. But then the Spirit led me to these verses and I was given something to pray for them. That even though things seemed difficult and dire… that they would be able to see God’s loving hand in their lives. That they would still rejoice in the Lord. That they would find joy and strength in their salvation. Not just to scrape by… but to the point that they would be dancing like a mountain goat on a cliff - sure-footed and carefree, even with what seemed like danger and calamity all around. The Lord eventually answered that prayer!
Since then, it seems like the Lord brings these verses back to me whenever I need them - for others, and for my family, and for myself. In every time of heartache and trouble, He is ready to remind us of his love and faithfulness. If that is where you are today, church, please take a moment to meditate and pray over these verses. You may feel empty, life may seem meaningless, your circumstances may look dire, your prospects may appear slim. Calamity and pain, trouble and need, cruelty and injustice may all seem to be extinguishing hope and joy from your life… But please know that is not actually the case. There is light. There is hope. And there is a new day coming. Remember the words of another prophet:
19 The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. 20 I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. 21 Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: 22 The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Lamentations 3:19-23
Praise be to God that today is a new day. This day has new mercies for you that will comfort you and help you in your time of need. Father, open our eyes to see them! Amen.
Blessings to you all!
And know that I am praying for you!
Pastor Aaron
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