Teaching

The final dispute between God and his people focuses on whether there’s even any point in following God at all. They are concerned that it’s futile to serve God, and their worship comes with no benefits since the evil prosper anyway. God responds by telling them about a remnant who love to gather and talk together about God, and he listens and hears them. Those who are faithful, who seek righteousness despite the challenges in the world around them, who worship wholeheartedly – they have the full attention of the faithful and loving God, and he will spare them when he brings the promised justice and judgement. The book ends with a reminder to remember the law of Moses and to expect the previously mentioned prophet Elijah before the Day of The Lord arrives.

How can we live today that gets God’s attention? Are we part of communities that gather to honour the Lord in our midst? As we look ahead to advent, are we prepared for the Day of the Lord?

The Israelites complain to God that the world seems like an unfair and unjust place to live. The evil seem to get away from it and God doesn’t seem to intervene; corruption and wickedness are abounding and God seems to do nothing. God responds by promising to send a messenger who will prepare the way for God himself to come and bring justice, purifying with fire to remove the idolatry, sinfulness and immorality that is rife among them. The people don’t seem to trust that God will come to bring justice and freedom for the oppressed and saw him as passive and unconcerned. However, God was faithful to his promises as Jesus fulfils this (Luke 4:16-19) and then promises to make all things new again in the age to come.

How can we get frustrated with or blame God for the suffering and injustice we see in this world? Do we trust that God really does care about the state of this world, and will do something about it? What is our part in brining justice and freedom to the oppressed?

Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. In a world that is all about
consuming and individualism, how is God calling us as individuals and as a church to live this
life of denial and obedience? It impacts who we are, how we serve and what we give.

Elijah is called by God to stand on mount Horeb, as the Lord passed by. A powerful wind, an earthquake and a fire pass by but God was not in any of them. Instead, God spoke in a gentle whisper. It involved Elijah listening and being still before God. As we seek God for our future and His call upon our lives, we need to take time to stop, to listen and to seek God for His gently whisper.

David gives thanks for God’s goodness (verse 2), for God’s provision (verse 5), for God’s guidance (verse 7) and God’s strength given to him (verse 8). This psalm also has the hope of eternity in it (like last week). David gives thanks that God will not abandon him to the grave but fill him with joy and eternal pleasures (verse 11).

Peter, the one who denied Jesus, who was reinstated and who is the rock on which the church is built, writes this letter to remind us of who we are in Christ. Whoever we are – however insignificant we feel – we make all the difference in the world because we are on our frontlines, first as a son or daughter of the King; a child of God. Our value, our worth, our significance, and our life on the frontline flows from this identity. Chosen priests, holy, God’s special possession, declaring the praises of God. The people of God. We minister on our frontlines out of a sense of confidence of who we are in Christ.