SPEAKER_00: Welcome to your daily walk.
SPEAKER_00: This is Dan.
SPEAKER_00: Pastor Mike completed his sermon series on Obadiah last Sunday.
SPEAKER_00: While many of us often overlook the minor prophets, these twelve books should be a central reading rather than being underread.
SPEAKER_00: The reason?
SPEAKER_00: Because of their important insights into God's character as well as the anticipation of Christ's arrival.
SPEAKER_00: Certainly, you'll read of God's judgment on certain people groups, but some of the most loving words about his restoration can be found in these books as well.
SPEAKER_00: For example, the book of Joel was written to the people of Judah after they had experienced a devastating plague of locusts.
SPEAKER_00: God's compassion can be seen when he says through the prophet, I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.
SPEAKER_00: If you're going through struggles right now, or have come through on the other side of a hardship, you can find comfort in these words.
SPEAKER_00: Do you see the application?
SPEAKER_00: God promised to bring restoration to Judah, and He can do the same for us.
SPEAKER_00: Another example comes from Hosea 14, verse 4, when God, speaking about Israel, says, I will heal their apostasy, I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.
SPEAKER_00: I'm telling you, if I was experiencing the judgment of the Lord, just to hear the words that his anger has turned away from me would bring healing to my bones.
SPEAKER_00: Yes, God is the righteous one who does what he wills, sometimes allowing us to even go through difficult times, but to feel his presence again after having strayed and turned back to him in repentance brings me comfort.
SPEAKER_00: Finally, one of the major prophets, Isaiah, speaks to how God restores us when he writes that a bruised reed God will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
SPEAKER_00: Maybe you've felt like a smoldering wick of a candle before, so take comfort in Isaiah's words.
SPEAKER_00: You can find some comfort from the other verses I've shared today as well.
SPEAKER_00: Thank God for the minor prophets and God's promises that we find in them.
SPEAKER_00: Have a great day.