Habakkuk

Have you ever questioned God, thought that maybe He was cruel –which is worse than being non-existent. Have you yelled or screamed “Why?” or “Don’t you see what I’m going through?” Perhaps your bigger question is directed at how He is caring for the nation – “God, how can you allow this, do you not see what is happening?” We like to call this intercession or prayer, but really it is a silent accusation asking God to give an account for His deeds, or lack thereof.

The child dying of cancer, the spouse cheating yet again, the addict never recovering, the city riddled with bullets – we have all had days or seasons where life (and God) seemed unfair. There are dark moments when God seems withdrawn, distant, and preoccupied with something else. I can not fathom the life of the Nigerian Christians in this season yet somehow, they are still praising  God and waiting for His sure deliverance. I reckon in comparison are sufferings are very light.

We know God is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent. His hand is filled with power, His Son cleanses us by His blood, He delivered the Israelites through the Red Sea and is capable of doing mighty things. But in this moment, where is He? In our struggle, where does He stand?

The prophet Habakkuk is unique among all the other prophets. He does not get a fresh word from the Lord and then deliver it like a Rock star. He does not rebuke the people and then issue strong judgment from the highest Judge. No, he merely gets ticked off, angry and upset about what he is sees happening to his beloved country. The violence, crime, and disregard for the law have brought him to a breaking point. He goes to God and asks Him to step in and step up. Habakkuk lists his complaints and then surprisingly, the God who made the universe and answers to no one – answers the perturbed prophet. This book is a dialogue between man and God, and we get to listen in. It  seemed like old news to me until I read the news this morning and it’s, exactly what we need to hear today.

The prophecy (burden) that Habakkuk the prophet received:

² How long, Lord, must I call for help,
    but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!” (Hebrew word is Hamas)
    but you do not save?
³ Why do you make me look at injustice?
    Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?
Destruction and violence are before me;
    there is strife, and conflict abounds.
⁴ Therefore the law is paralyzed,
    and justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous,
    so that justice is perverted.

It kind of speaks for itself, right? Then God answers Habakkuk in a way that surprised him. Several months ago, our family was driving through D.C. and in prayer, we felt like God said something similar to us. It was impossible and no one who heard the word thought it was possible but then over the next 48 hours we saw God put those words into action. God is a God of miracles and NOTHING is impossible to Him. Hear the Lord:

⁵ “Look at the nations and watch—
    and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
    that you would not believe,
    even if you were told.

Then God tells them the way He is going to do it is by using the Babylonians. These guys were more wicked than the original problem! Hear what they are like:

Their hordes advance like a desert wind and gather prisoners like sand. ¹⁰ They mock (deride, make fun of) kings and scoff at rulers. (no decorum, honor, or humility)
They laugh at all fortified cities;
    by building earthen ramps they capture them.
¹¹ Then they sweep past like the wind and go on—
    guilty people, whose own strength is their god.”

Habakkuk continues to question and accuse God:
    Why are you silent while the wicked
    swallow up those more righteous than themselves?

We learn by the end of this book that there will be no free pass for ANYONE and that God sees, hears, and knows ALL, regardless of what we see in the small snapshot of someone’s life. We all will one day come before THE KING, whether righteous or evil. God makes Habakkuk (and us) a promise in chapter one – He is going to DO SOMETHING. Promise, pinky swear.

Someone needs reminding of that today. Maybe your bank account is in the red, your food pantry bare, your marriage on the rocks or your kids have been bullied in school. Maybe you see no light at the end of your proverbial tunnel. It could be a minor or a major thing. It could be a small or national thing that you are concerned about. Maybe it’s so big you are losing sleep or ready to give up. GOD PROMISES then and now that HE SEES, HEARS, and IS GOING TO DO SOMETHING. Trustworthy is His name!

When things are confusing, God is not confused. When life is a catastrophe, God remains on the throne. “He is Lord” is so much more than just a song. Forest Frank sings, “Gods got my back” and that may be a modern version of Great is Thy Faithfulness. We hear scriptures and sermons and songs that God will make a way and to trust Him. But do we? Here is the interesting thing  – God does not justify the way He is going to answer and He certainly is not obligated to do it our way. We want Him to “move again” and to “renew His deeds” in our time but His methods and motives are not the same as ours. He reserves the right to answer in anyway He sees fit. The righteous know this.

So how then are we supposed to live with that? Well, if we are seeking His will,  we understand that there is only ONE who is righteous and that is Christ. Not one of us, even the prayer leader or singer or guy that makes Christian t-shirts has a corner on the market. No one knows the full and entire mind of the Lord. Those who live according to His plan are “just,” not because they have a “I belong to God” tattoo but because they have chosen to live in His ways. Those folks, the ones who are not dyed red or blue but washed white as snow, will live by trust in HIS sovereignty. His Kingdom, His way. Yahweh. He is in charge; we trust Him and live by believing and following Him. It is a decision, a covenant.

Even when the fig tree fails to blossom,

Even when there is no fruit on the vines,

Even when the oil of the olive fails and the fields yield no meat.

Even when the flocks or SNAP is cut off, and no herds are in the stalls.

Gods’ way is better. So, we rejoice in something bigger than our paychecks and titles – we rejoice in the LORD. We take joy in the God of our salvation. What does that look like? We delight in His presence, His peace, and His people. We make Him our main source of joy – our priority. He is the One we  talk and listen to- He knows EVERYTHING.

The Lord is my strength, and He makes my feet like hinds feet so I can walk through and over these tough places. I can make it because He created me to not only walk but run and go higher.

Replace your “why and how and when” with WHO = who are you trusting in? Who are you delighting in? Who will answer you when your questions are too deep to even ask?

Here was Habakkuk’s plan while he waited:

2 I will stand at my watch   – (present himself in prayer)
    and station myself on the ramparts; (show up to his assignment)
I will look to see what he will say to me, (eagerly, intently search)
    and what answer I am to give to this complaint.

 

Waiting with you,

RenaeRoche2025

Wait on You – Maverick Music

Gods got my back  and Your ways better – Forest Frank

 

 

October — The Book of Nahum NIV

I remember spending time with my dad one evening, before he passed. It was late and he was getting tired. As we walked down the hall, he started singing some old gospel songs and danced a bit. He knew the verses and the chorus. These were songs I cherished but had never heard my dad sing them and did not realize that he even knew them! He shared with me that when he was a little boy, he went to a church camp in Tennessee where he learned these songs. What a delight to my heart! Here I had known him all my life and it was a new revelation about what he liked and thought.

There are layers like an onion to knowing God also. When we are little, we hear “God is love” and then we get a little older and sing “Jesus loves me”.  A post from a Facebook blog called “that’s Not Mustard” said earlier this week, “First grade is wild. You’re learning how to be a human, how to write things down, how to manage friendships and follow rules and all the while everybody’s teeth are falling out all over the place.” That cracked me up. You don’t know what you don’t know right? As we age, we mature, and we also mature in what we know about God if we are intimately getting to know Him.

Nahum writes down a vision revealing to the people of Ninevah what God is like, and he doesn’t mince words. Nine times Ninevah is mentioned, and it is prophesied that they will go into exile. We all love the song, the Goodness of God but that’s only part of who God is.

² The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;
    the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath.
The Lord takes vengeance on his foes
    and vents his wrath against his enemies.
³ The Lord is slow to anger but great in power;
    the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.
His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,
    and clouds are the dust of his feet.

That would make a pretty awkward worship song, wouldn’t it? In Hebrew there’s a repetition to those words (Naqa naqa lo naqa naqa) which sounds like Gods knocking on their heads trying to get their attention. He is an Avenger. Politics aside this blog was in process when Charlie Kirk was murdered. I watched the interviews, heard the forgiveness and many stories of what Jesus would do in this moment. But these verses, they show us where God stands in times like these. He sent a graceful Savior, yet He remains just.

⁷ The Lord is good,
    a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for (knows) those who trust in Him,
⁸     but with an overwhelming flood
He will make an end of Nineveh;
    He will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.

⁹ Whatever they plot against the Lord
    He will bring^[a] to an end;
    trouble will not come a second time.

Make no mistake, God still will have a reckoning. The Lord knows us, which allows Him to masterfully care for us. We need to know Him- the real Him and His character. In the midst of their turmoil and storms we hear:

¹⁵ Look, there on the mountains,
    the feet of one who brings good news,
    who proclaims peace!
Celebrate your festivals, Judah,
    and fulfill your vows.
No more will the wicked invade you;
    they will be completely destroyed.

The One coming on the mountains is also the One who will break off the yokes NOW from their necks and tear away NOW their shackles. That’s freedom! Note the contrast between those who are vile and those who are free. The free are blessed with health, contentment, completeness and soundness. He’s a jealous God but also a God who blesses those who know Him and follow Him.

God does not ask us to understand Him – which would take more than a lifetime, He asks us to TRUST HIM.

 Ninevah literally will be circling the drain and yet refuse to return to the Lord. It’s in that context that God asks His people to trust Him!  When all they could see was violence and chaos. When God was bringing Judgement around them, they were called to TRUST and remember.  Do you remember this city? It is the one that Jonah preached to a hundred years prior. I guess no one journaled or took notes on the revival because clearly they did not stay on the right path. God keeps pointing out the devastation and damage coming to this city and then tells them exactly why it was all going to happen:

Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder,
    never without victims! Many casualties,
    piles of dead, bodies without number,
    people stumbling over the corpses—
⁴ all because of the wanton lust of a prostitute,
    alluring, the mistress of sorceries,
who enslaved nations by her prostitution
    and peoples by her witchcraft. ⁵ “I am against you,” declares the Lord Almighty.

Who will mourn for Ninevah? Where can I find anyone to comfort you?” We see here a prophetic sign of the Holy Spirit (Comforter) to come. The Holy Spirit grieves, comforts and convicts.

¹³ Look at your troops—they are all weaklings. The gates of your land
  are wide open to your enemies; fire has consumed the bars of your gates.
¹⁴ Draw water for the siege, strengthen your defenses!

This month was the 250^th celebration of the Navy. There were parades, air shows and much more. Our military was encouraged and inspired by their leaders. This was not about boasting but gathering the troops, mustering them for the mission. As an Air Force daughter, I respect the troops greatly. Nahum tells the people thru the vision to “draw water, tread the mortar, repair the brickwork.”  Beefing up the military isn’t a Republican or Democratic ideal, it’s a Biblical ideal as God wants to protect and guard His people. Trust in God but build up the troops.

But Nahum doesn’t just stop there. This man whose name means “rest or comfort”  rebukes the King of Assyria, saying “your shepherds slumber, your nobles lie down to rest. Your people are scattered.” 

Lamar Vest, an amazing leader and professor used a triangle to teach us about leadership. He turned it upside down. Those at the top resource, serve and support those in their spheres of influence. They are guides, feeders who equip those doing ministry. I think this is a Biblical model. Whatever model your church uses – get connected and be diligent to do whatever the Lord tells you to do. It is not the time to slow down or give up! Did you know that most large ministries and their ministers didn’t start until they were 70?  You’re never too  young or too old to follow God. Seasoned saints – you are needed in this harvest!

God knows and cares for those who TRUST in Him.

Nahum’s words are timely for our culture. God has not given up His authority or right to Avenge. He will bring Justice. He is jealous but He is Good. Both sides of that coin are true of Him. I hope these words help as you sift thru the firestorms around you this month. We are shaken but God is still our refuge. Keep looking to the One on the mountain who brings Good news! His track record proves we can TRUST HIM.

Trusting with you in this season,

RenaeRoche 2025

 

 

 

Micah for Today

A guy named Rufus was driving down the highway when he suddenly saw a tree, so he swerved to avoid it. Minutes later, he sees another one and then another one. Thankful he missed them all, he feels relieved only to see flashing red lights behind him. He pulls over and the officer comes up and asks him why he was swerving all over the highway. “I was just trying to avoid all those trees in the middle of the road ociffer.” The police officer leans in, rips off his hanging tree air freshener from his rear-view mirror and says sir, it’s time to get out of the vehicle.”

We often falsely think we’re right and that things need to adjust around us but what we really need is a whole new perspective – a sober one. Micah came and preached that devastation was coming. That devastation was not from a foreign enemy but from God Himself.

This month for the first time in 18 years I did not post a blog the first week of the month, on my webpage. Instead, I took verses every day, reflected on them and posted them on Facebook. It felt like the word went deeper into my heart and daily life.

There is not space to share all of the discovery, but I will share my favorite one. Our family had just gotten to the part where Micah asked God what He requires. God replies in a threefold answer. This month I “heard” it differently – maybe because I slowed down or applied it with my family, I am not sure. Hear it afresh today:

1. Act Justly– Social justice folks have used this for national protests and agendas. It does fit for those things, but it means so much more. God wants us to walk out our lives, character and every decision based on His justice, kingdom and will. Acting justly is acting like the Just One. It would be ok if it ended there but it also includes our thoughts. Oh- oh! We cannot act justly if we are having thoughts that are contrary to Gods’ word, so we need to make sure our mind and brain is in alignment with Gods word and Kingdom plan. My thought life is important to God and what I found out is that when I kept a tight rein on that, it yielded awesome results. Nope! Not going to let that thought, or suspicion or accusation take root – this mind belongs to God, and I will act and think according to HIS justice and will. Acting justly also entails speaking with our mouths in just ways. That would pretty much shut down gossip, slander, and false accusations. God is just and His ways are just. You cannot be just if you are falsely accusing others. You and I have done that right?

This month I needed to “act justly” towards others.  That was a growing experience. We do not’ deserve justice and yet we get it. We act wrong, think wrong and speak wrong, then expect to say we are Christians. God really requires us to act justly – with our actions, thoughts, and words. It’s a package type deal. We all fall short but if we ALL work on this what a better place it would be!

 

2. Love Mercy – this was my favorite one. I thought it just meant to be sloppy loving on people or saying “oh poor baby” but it means to be passionate for love and compassion, to have a deep affection not just for acts of mercy but for acts of kindness. Does this encourage us to be a “do-gooder”? yea, kind of. That thrills God and brings Him delight. I want to make God smile every day. I want to thrill him so much He dances around Heaven and creates new stars. Can we do that? That excites me more than anything. My goal today? Make God laugh, smile or chuckle so hard he snorts and all of earth hears it. How do you tickle Gods’ fancy?

 

One night during this research, I made a huge crockpot of cowboy beans. We had plastic spoons and aluminum foil bowls, so we packed up some boxes and brought them to our neighborhood friends who are homeless or live in tents nearby. They were happy and I was happy. My teenage sons helped out and the younger one encouraged one of the gentlemen to come to church that night. As I watched him smile, my heart was just bursting with joy in my chest. He was showing patience, love, and mercy to someone he had been building a relationship with for a while. I was delighted and got to feel a small fraction of what God must feel. My mama heart could not have been happier if I had won the lottery. Seriously.

3. Walk Humbly – For all you extroverts you are going to love this one. Humble is usually thought of as someone who is weak or mousey. If you try to be “humble” you end up looking like a pharisee because our goodness only comes from God, right? You can walk around pretending you are humble, but it is elusive. C.S. Lewis once said, “humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.” I imagine walking down the hallway timidly or being ultra quiet. Nope. This is what it looks like – a football huddle. I had to ask my football player son Jackson for input. When you huddle- it’s midgame. The coach is evaluating the game and how it is going. The team comes together, and the coach “adjusts” the play and the player. The word here means presence and to “huddle up.” We get in Gods circle and get His direction and focus. Being in His shadow, receiving His instruction and going WITH Him down the field is the picture. Walking humbly is more about following God than how we walk as an individual – it’s in His presence, in His shadow and mercy. That’s not swagger – that’s Holy Spirit sashay! We gotta get our “God groove on” and go about the Father’s business. Amen?

I’m not sure if I will continue the monthly blog or do more Facebook posts but I do want to reflect more on the word and pray it more into my daily steps. How are you doing what God requires these days? I would love to hear about it.

RenaeRoche2025

 

The Book of Jonah (pronounced Yo-nah)

On our vacation this year, Joe and the boys, and I went to Port Clinton, Ohio. They claim their city is the Walleye capital of the world. A big fish sits at the front of  the downtown festival, so you know there is some history with fishing there. It was the biggest fish statue we had ever seen.

I wonder if the city of Ninevah crafted a sculpture of Jonah or the whale after their revival? It certainly was a fish tale to remember.

This book is well known to Jews, Muslims and Christians. It is mentioned by Jesus in the New Testament Luke 11:29-32 where he lets the people know that just like Jonah came to warn them and tell them to “repent”, Jesus has also come to tell them (and us)  to “repent”.

It is interesting that of all who say they are following Christ, only one got a special ride to his ministry inside a whale! There were a few that demanded people sit in sackcloth, but Jonah adds sitting on animals– with sackcloth. Imagine outreach at your church including that instruction.  While several have repeated Christs request for people to “repent” — It is still a foreign word in our culture. We ask people to receive Christ, to believe in Christ or sign up for membership in Christs  church but few are bold enough to say “repent”. It’s important to remember that God is the one calling people to turn back to Him, not the prophet or preacher. It is indeed a strong word with life changing consequences.  Perhaps, we are not so much like Jonah or Christ when we leave out that little word and perhaps that is why many still sit in darkness? If there is no confession of sin, no repentance of former ways, no turning from the “old man”, we have just added a new mental pursuit. How does “turning from one’s wicked ways” prepare someone for receiving Christ? This is worthy of discussion, right? We get nervous and do not want anyone to “feel bad” but what if that is the qualifying start to Christ coming in someones life? Believing in ones heart and confessing Christ as Lord is what is most important. Your thoughts?

Also on our travels, we journeyed, by accident or providence, to several Christian restaurants. God led us to new places where we met other believers and had sweet times of fellowship and prayer. I love sharing the Lord with people but before we left had a sense that we were on a different type of mission this trip – we were to rest and then bring support and teaching to established leaders in various cities. While some did come to Christ it was not the main  goal. After traveling several hours one day, we stopped in a little town we had never been to before that trip. We were hot, tired and not very pleasant at that point. The restaurant was called “Big Als” and the food was delicious. On each table were signs that one would expect to offer pie flavors or the special of the day. Instead, this was what we saw:

These folks ain’t playin! I was grateful to know someone cared for our souls! We needed that reminder.

The modern day Ninevah is Mosul, Iraq. Don’t tell me that it is difficult to warn people in our generation. It would have been much harder to go into another culture that was pagan and violent and declare the “word of the Lord” than in a country where our spiritual rights are somewhat protected. These restaurant folks would have made Ninevah glad! What a bold statement for Jesus. We study Jonah but do we seek to listen and go?

If you are a modern day Jonah, or follower of Christ, read  Psalm 86 and then ask God where He is sending YOU:

Psalm 86

A prayer of David.

¹ Hear me, Lord, and answer me,
    for I am poor and needy.
                                                                                                                    ² Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
                                                                                     save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; ³ have mercy on me, Lord,
    for I call to You —                                              all day long.
⁴ Bring joy to Your servant, Lord,
    for I put my trust in You.

                                                                                                                                           ⁵ You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
                                                                                                    abounding in love to ALL who call to You.
⁶ Hear my prayer, Lord;
    listen to my cry for mercy.
⁷ When I am in distress, I call to You,
                                                              because You answer me.

                                                                                                                                         ⁸ Among the gods there is none like You, Lord;
    no deeds can compare with Yours.
                                                                                                                                                                                ⁹ All the nations You have made
    will come and worship before You, Lord;
    they will bring glory to Your name.
¹⁰ For You are great and do marvelous deeds;
                                                                                                                                You alone are God.

¹¹ Teach me  (cause me to know) Your way, Lord,
                                                                                                                 that I may rely on Your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
    that I may fear Your name.
¹² I will praise You, Lord my God, with all my heart;
    I will glorify Your name forever.
                                                                                                                                                                             ¹³ For great is Your love toward me;
                                                                                                                               You have delivered me from the depths,
    from the realm of the dead.

¹⁴ Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;
    ruthless people are trying to kill me—
    they have no regard for You.
                                                                                                                ¹⁵ But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
                                                                                       slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
                                                                                                                                ¹⁶ Turn to me and have mercy on me;
                                                                                          show Your strength on behalf of Your servant;
save me, because I serve You
    just as my mother did.
¹⁷ Give me a sign of Your goodness,
    that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
    for You, Lord, have helped me and (truly and abundantly, greatly) comforted me.

We do not know if Jonah read Exodus 34 or if he read this Psalm, but we do know that he was a preacher’s kid, and we do know that before he ran  from God that he KNEW God was Compassionate, gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness.

We do not know if Jonah understood this firsthand in his own life. Maybe he saw the life of his ministry parents and decided it was not for him? God has no grandkids – each generation needs to hear and trust God for their own lives, not just their parents.

Before we reach others, we must know God and know that He loves us, pursues us, is compassionate towards us. Somehow, Jonah did not grasp that or that “ALL nations” deserved that as much as he did. God was first and also compassionate with the runaway preacher.

Jonah literally would rather die than share God’s love or message.

Dear believer, God loves you and wants you to know He is not an ogre or bully in the sky. He wants you to know His heart and character. Make that your first aim and priority. He is a rewarder of those who seek Him and a very present help in time of need. He is not a taskmaster.

Reaching others is hard when we feel they are not “worthy” or any other host of excuses. Once you are loved by this compassionate, gracious God, you will not be able to keep His love to yourself.

We don’t have a “witnessing” problem in the church today; we have a “needing to know God” problem. Those who encounter the living God can not help but share Him- it’s like a fire shut up in their bones, a river of life that cannot be quenched.

Let me introduce you – this God, the Creator of the Universe desires relationship with you and in spite of all our sins and messes, He is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. That is amazing grace and unfailing, incredible love.

Once you encounter this loving God, you will want to share His message in dark places, cities that are far away and perhaps even in a little Italian restaurant along the Highway.

A greater ONE has come, let’s get to know HIM and bring His message to the highways, and wherever else He sends us.

Loving and learning Him with you,

RenaeRoche2025

 

 

In our culture, everyone seems to have an opinion, a podcast, or an Instagram post. We don’t have a record of every conflicting opinion in Obadiah’s day, but human nature doesn’t change that much, right? Amid all the talk, God speaks to a prophet named Obadiah and lets us hear what GOD was saying. You can argue politics or even television newscasts but who will argue with God?

God lets them know that He is about to cut Edom down. This is the patriarch previously named Esau’s family line. His brother was Jacob who was later called Israel. They fought as young men, and now their family lines are keeping the “beef” going, so to speak.

The people of Edom had luxurious houses high up in the cliffs. We might use the expression living in an “ivory tower” today to represent a similar idea. They thought because they had money or houses or perhaps a stellar lineage that they were better than others. Yikes. God tells them “The pride of your heart has deceived you.” There would be a day of reckoning. This was it.

Pride is defined by being arrogant, presumptive, swelling, haughty and insolent. There’s no room for error with these people and grace is seriously lacking. This is not someone who gives more praise reports than you. This is someone who literally thinks they smell better, look better and are better than others. I’ve met some people who were very prideful about being “humble” and made it their goal in life to point out all the other “unhumble” people. If it weren’t so serious, it would be funny. I’m glad God alone judges hearts. I tell my boys all the time – be short on opinion and long on love.

When I read this passage I thought of the white businessmen in a city I lived in years ago. Their skyscraper offices made them look wealthy. Their lawyer, shielded them and made them look invincible. The story went that they would bring drugs in and “test” it on young black men. If they died, it was a bad batch, it they lived it would be purchased. The businessmen appeared spotless – they had no criminal records, they didn’t look like drug dealers and people thought these young men were “thugs” and “dealers” making the city look bad. Comments were often made about the “problem with young black men” who lived downtown but they didn’t have the full story. It seemed like a good way to evade the arrests and statistics. Until you count the overdosed young people who had moms and dads who loved them. The guys higher up in the drug chain remained untouchable. When it all got exposed, people were shocked who the real “bad guys” really were. Whenever humans think they get away with something – there is a God in Heaven who sees and acts and nothing escapes his watchful eye. Fat cats will have a reckoning as we see in the prophetic book of Obadiah. The Lords Day is coming soon. God is patient and kind but when He sees sin, He gets angry. This book shows us how God feels when His chosen are attacked and it’s not pretty.

 The prophecy goes on to explain how mad God is with their trickery. Even thieves leave something for the reapers but these people – they have no mercy at all.

I kept telling my family this book reminds me of those maps at the mall where it points an arrow to your location and says, “You are here”. This book is not only prophetic for their day but it is a current picture of the problems facing Israel today. The timely word is for now.
    
⁷ All your allies will force you to the border;    
    your friends will deceive and overpower you;
those who eat your bread will set a trap for you,
    but you will not detect it.  (it’s like a smoke alarm without batteries- the warning alarm has been removed)

⁸ “In that day,” declares the Lord,
    “will I not destroy the wise men of Edom,
    those of understanding in the mountains of Esau?
⁹ Your warriors, Teman, will be terrified,
    and everyone in Esau’s mountains
    will be cut down in the slaughter.   

Then God tells them exactly why He is allowing this to come upon them:

¹⁰ Because of the violence against your brother Jacob,
  (violence in Hebrew is the word Hamas)
    you will be covered with shame;(disappointed, troubled)
    you will be destroyed forever.
¹¹ On the day you stood aloof (you stood with the other team, ignoring their pain)
    while strangers carried off his wealth
and foreigners entered his gates
    and cast lots for Jerusalem,
    you were like one of them.

God then lists eight crimes Esau (Edom) committed against Israel. God saw what transpired- the real story.  They gloated, plotted and rejoiced.  If you intentionally harm someone, it does not go unnoticed by the Lord.  I’m so glad for the upcoming conjunction BUT….

¹⁷ But on Mount Zion will be deliverance;
    it will be holy,
    and Jacob will possess his inheritance.

To possess means to seize, take control of, inherit and enjoy – it’s a promise of better days coming. There will be deliverance – rescue, salvation and God has promised it. It points to a remnant being rescued. The word picture is of green foliage being kept from locusts and also refers to deliverance from the slaughter of war. Do you need deliverance? Do we need deliverance as a country?

¹⁸ Jacob will be a fire   ( to see by, warm by, to bring judgement)
    and Joseph a flame;      (A narrow fire, directed)
Esau will be stubble,       (ready to ignite)
    and they will set him on fire and destroy him.
There will be no survivors
    from Esau.”
The Lord has spoken—period.

While reading this,  I read the prophecy – there will be NO survivors. That’s pretty hopeless, isn’t it? Gods judgment totally annihilated that group of people. The newspaper on June 12 shared the story of an Air India flight (AI 171) when a Boeing 787 plane crashed killing 241 of the 242 souls on board. The only survivor was a man named  Vishwash Ramesh who must feel incredibly “delivered” or rescued about now. I looked for retractions to the story but so far, there are none. The 40 year old guy escaped with a burnt hand. A burnt hand- that was it. He fell out of the sky and his injury was just a burnt hand.  Incredible. But why? That’s almost impossible, right? His name means “one who has faith and trust and causes others to believe”.  At the very least, his name is prophetic. The simulations and articles after that day are filled with science and speculation. This guy knows what deliverance means, he understands salvation in a way you and I probably will never comprehend.  Does God give us clues like that just to shake us up and make us stretch what we believe? If He has used the Red Sea and a whale could He not now use an airplane to get our attention? It got mine! Only God determines when He’s had “enough” and then judgment. He is not willing that any should perish. That’s pretty intense patience and love.

This book has 21 short verses with over 33 scary or violent words that would make anyone shake in their boots if they knew Gods’ wrath was coming. The truly scary thing is– that Gods wrath is coming for all nations who turn against Him and treat others unfairly. It’s a promise. The day of the Lord is near. But,

God will send deliverers, avengers who will defend, rescue and bring salvation and victory. God promised deliverance and salvation and we see that in the person of Christ. God promises assistance and victory for all who come to His Mount Zion (Place and presence of the Lord) and the added promise that the Kingdom WILL BE the Lords.

²¹ Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion (place of the Temple and Gods’ presence)
    to govern the mountains of Esau.
    And the Kingdom WILL BE the Lord’s.

There’s a new sheriff in town. Those who are wise will obey Him and get in line with His Kingdom and word.

That gives hope to any wrongly accused, unfairly treated, cheated, stolen from, maligned person. Your deliverance may not come overnight – but it’s coming. The God who sees is also the God who avenges and brings deliverance. I heard a song on the radio that said you might be in your darkest night but remember the darkest night still ends with a sunrise.

All nations – God doesn’t play favorites but He does expect us to walk in love and with integrity. What is He seeing in our nation? What is God seeing in our lives today? What are others seeing? Are we more like Edom or Israel in our day to day walk?

May God bring us to His mount Zion and fulfill His Kingdom in and thru us,

RenaeRoche2025

 

 

GOD NOSE                                                                                                                         The Book of  AMOS               JUNE BLOG 2025

 

If you have arrived at this page you are one of three people: 1) those who are my friends and read this whenever they want to catch up with what I’m studying 2) those who are studying the book of Amos and want to dig deeper and 3) those who are trying to figure out why an apologist and Biblical teacher would spell “nose” instead of “knows” on a public website. Whichever category you fall in- welcome!  You will be intrigued by some of the things Amos teaches as well.

The author of this fine book Amos was a hayseed country boy. He lived about twelve miles south of Jerusalem and tended sheep. He pruned sycamore fruit- fig mulberry’s and took care of little exquisite sheep. He probably wore herdsman clothes and felt more comfortable in the wilderness than in a fancy church. Imagine if one Sunday some guy  or gal or teen) with a flannel shirt and Levis walked in and wanted to tell the leadership a thing or two about God. Would he be received? Amos was selected by God – not man, not committee or decree. God uses the unusual and unique and whoever He chooses to speak for Him. If we reject the packaging we may just be rejecting God Himself.

The leader Amaziah rejected him, kicked him out and convinced the King that Amos was conspiring against him- in league to harm him. What an old filthy trick of the devil.  This was an early version of conspiracy theory and fake news. It’s common even today. Amos basically tells him, “hey, I did not choose myself, I was busy herding sheep.”  God called him to say what he said. Amos rebukes Amaziah and follows the Lord instead. Smart man.

This book / word was not just for the Heathen, it was for Gods’ chosen people and the Gentiles He would bring in the fold. Judgement begins at the house of the Lord (1 Peter 4:17). This book is to be read looking in our own hearts – not our neighbors.

Amos shared eight judgements against Gods’ people. It was the last straw and their punishment was imminent. Seven times the Lord (the sovereign, compassionate God) warns them that He will send a fire. God was behind the disaster? Yes. Serious warning! It wasn’t just a threat – their crimes are pretty serious such as beating and burning people, cheating, lying, despising the law and more. Then Amos’ resume tells us he preached three sermons to get their attention – still no response. This is God’s children and family – they of all people, should obey the covenant and God. All of these disciplines are coming from God to get them to return, come back to Him – but they refuse. They have better things to do.

The imperatives in this book are many but the two that ring loudest are SEEK GOD and LIVE! That was such a simple request. We find out that this awesome group of people we’ve studied since childhood, left Egypt with the Lord’s help but here we hear the “rest of the story” the truth that needs to be told. Yes they left Egypt but Egypt did not leave them. They not only brought the things of God but they carried with them a pagan deity named Sikkuth. UGH!  Why do we just find this out in Amos? These were seriously bad guys. All this time the “faithful remnant” coming out to worship God in the wilderness, continued to be syncretistic (meaning mixed) and idolatrous. No wonder God was mad.

God does see and know everything.

He knew their feasts were bogus and offerings tepid. He states that He will reject their peace offerings, meat offerings and burnt offerings. To summarize God tells them

I will not smell them, savor them, breathe them in

I will not regard or accept them

I will not hear you

Gods nose – knows better.

You know what the “smell test” is? Something just smells fishy or funny. My mom used to say, “Somethings rotten in Denmark”. My dad would say his “baloney meter” is going boing, boing. Why? These religious people were anything but holy. They were insecure, jealous, petty, at ease, arrogant and just going thru the motions. They were actually committing crimes and pretending like they were innocent. Their religious observances were for show, competition and entertainment and GOD knew better. He would not breathe in the putrid aroma of their false worship and offerings. Not gonna smell it, taste it, touch it, accept it. NOPE.

But He doesn’t leave them there hopeless, He directs them to what He will accept- listen to this with your heart:

LET justice run down like water and
                           righteousness like a mighty stream.

That is what God prefers we focus on. Integrity, Veracity, Faithfulness, Justice. 

To simplify:

Do what God says to do and choose holiness over selfish interests. Be just as God is just.

Maybe it would look like this in 2025:

Don’t tell me you’re MAGA and then never vote or help your neighbor

Don’t tell me you’re a democrat and never feed the homeless

Don’t tell me you are for life and never support adopted or blended families

Don’t tell me you love Jesus and ignore the widow, prisoner or poor.

Weighing scales for one and not another –(favoritism)  God can smell that a mile away. His nose knows! It smells pretty stinky when we call ourselves believers and then act like the world. Popularity, egomania, clickish behavior – it’s not Gods economy.

I’m sure I’ve left out many and I’m not making a political statement here so please don’t send the emails. As balanced as I can say it, AMOS is for social justice because GOD is for social justice. That doesn’t mean freaking out and acting like a criminal. I’m just giving modern day issues that I think Amos would have addressed. His name means “One who lifts up a burden or care”. That fit him because he lifted up the injustices of the people to a holy God and then carried a burden of a prophetic life from God to the people so they would act. The poor, the disenfranchised, the falsely accused, the widow, the prisoner, the weak- those are Gods’ special kind of people and He cares how they are treated, then and now.  White, Latino, Black, Haitian, Canadian, woman, men, Jewish, Muslim, French – yes those He cares about too. At the end of book God will do the “heavy lifting” because He is a lifter who likes to rebuild, renew and restore. OOO those are good promises.

The words may seem harsh but these folks would rather eat a feast than offer a feast of food, they would rather jump and dance for themselves than to worship and honor a holy God. It was by themselves and for themselves, and God was left out.

There are several statements where God asks Amos, “What do you see?” My favorite is the last one where Amos finally sees the One giving him the visions  and He is standing (A place of judgement and authority) by the altar. The advocate will now rise. The judge will now adjudicate. The day is  near – prepare to meet your God. Scary stuff is we are not in relationship, right relationship with Jesus.

In Amos 9:2-4, God goes on to tell us every place He can see people who have gone away from Him – a pretty complete list. “Prepare to meet your God” should cause us all to stir.

Jesus, forgive me for my sins

I repent for my wrong doing

Cleanse me and wash me and make me new

I give you my heart and soul and life today.

Thank you for paying for my sins and forgiving me. Amen.

 

If you prayed that prayer- let me know. I’d like to encourage and support you in your walk.

Please read this book – it is timely and very needed in our culture. The last verses contain promises of God rebuilding, renewing, restoring and repairing. When we come back to Him – He will work on our behalf and come near.

Hypocrisy, tepid faith, pretend Christianity – is putrid to God and Christ. Real devotion and sincere faith is a sweet smelling offering that draws God near. God nose = is accurate. God knows and sees everything and is waiting for all of us to return.

Praying with you, Renae Roche 2025

 

p.s. To the young man God is calling to be a prophet in our nation through his career – He will be with you. Pray for this young man. 

The Book of Joel

A Texas farmer went on vacation to Australia. He met up with an Australian farmer who proudly showed off his wheat field. “That’s nothing”, said the Texan. “Back home, we have wheat fields that are twice as large as this.” Next, the Australian pointed out his cattle. “They’re nothing,” said the Texan. “Back home, we have longhorns that are twice as big as your cows.” Just then, half a dozen kangaroos bounded across the road. “What are those?” asked the Texan. The Australian replied, “Don’t you have grasshoppers in Texas?” [1]

Big grasshoppers would be the fear of every farmer and if they came in four cycles, removing all vegetation, that would be an even bigger deal. Joel uses this visual to explain what the armies will do to them when they come. The various layers of destruction are symbolic of a nation and its army that brought total and utter devastation. Joel focuses on “Yom Yahweh” which in Hebrew means “Day of the Lord.” Gods’ people thought it was a day when they were going to be vindicated and justified –but God was warning them through Joel that when destruction comes, it will affect EVERYONE– so it is a good time to repent.

Do you know a nation that is worried about foreign invaders? A nation worried about economic ruin and natural catastrophes that will decimate the economy and cause financial ruin? It’s a timely word for them and us.

The vivid word pictures show us that nothing survived – trees had no bark, fruit withered, and oil ran dry. All the destruction came for a reason. This was what surprised me most this month. This is the reason all these awful things took place–because

“joy is withered away from the sons of men.”  That was the reason Joel said.   What’s that?

Joy is that important to God? Joy in religious celebration or delight with God? Missing joy was an alarm in itself! Scan your person for a second – are you missing delight? Joy? Fruitfulness? Have there been alarm bells recently that you’ve silenced or simply chosen not to hear? Those are all byproducts of rest and trusting in Yahweh.

This intrigues me. Why was the absence of Joy – the absence of New wine so serious to God? It is serious when it is mentioned twice and especially when we are told that the REASON for all this was the absence of it. That is worth a second look, a time of pondering.  When you read about the grapes, the fresh, new wine made from the treading, you see that God wants them to have the new, fresh stuff. Flowing provision. The gathering of the people to celebrate Gods’ provision and love – carried them, delighted them. The crops are barren, the fruit is withered and the oil has dried up. Did they stop celebrating God and one another and then judgment came or did the signs of judgment cause them to not be able to have joy and new wine to gather? We are so far removed from the festivals and cycles of rest that we miss the depth of God’s invitation, His love. He wants them to know Him, His relationship and heart. A fast modern reading of Joel without the passion for God, community, and His provision, is so very sterile.

He then tells them things like, “hear, lament, guard, sanctify, sound the alarm” because a dark day and large fires are coming!!! This is a people acquainted with grief and death. They are given instructions amid their sorrowful crying:

“Tell (you tell) your children of it and let your children tell their children and their children another generation.”

It does not say send them to Sunday school or Children’s church so you can hear the preacher without distraction. It doesn’t say” put the teens in a different room so they can express themselves either. It emphatically commands us to pass on what we know of God and His word and warnings. You, Me, We must tell the next generation and that means that generations must spend time together. I know this is very counter cultural, but God wants these groups to work together. We have much to learn from one another. Ultimately REVIVAL CAN NOT, WILL NOT, SHOULD NOT come unless it is multi-generational. Why? It’s Gods’ heart and plan – Kingdom stuff. It’s always been His “jam” to include and value everybody. That does not mean separate groups aren’t necessary they just shouldn’t be exclusive all the time. I’ve seen senior citizens fall into depression as they fear no one has need of them any longer. I’ve seen teenagers rebel when they thought no one cared or loved them. God put the single in families and He put the old and young together so they can mutually support, encourage and build.

Gods Spirit (where welcome) will bring about social rearrangement and change. “All distinctions – sex, age, class or social position – will be natural. In the Christian tradition this hope finds expression in Paul’s daring assertion in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek…slave nor free…male nor female…”[2]

When we see the Spirit being poured out, in a real authentic way we can compare it to these scriptures. If it is God, not all will wear polo shirts and blue jeans. Not all will sing Hymns and insist on the organ playing. Some up front, preaching, teaching and prophesying will be women, teens. Some will be black, some white and some may even be Democrat. Or Republican. Tesla and Harley drivers must figure it out because once the YOM (Day) comes – it will be too late. The Day of the Lord won’t wait for the stragglers and the dawdlers, and the cynics, we must be ready! Yom Yahweh – it’s HIS day and He gets to decide who is invited to the party.

Joel teaches us how to prepare and it’s not referring to Bible college. He prophesies “awake”. That is not just in the morning but to awake in our Spirits to hear God. I’ve been teaching my kids (and myself) that when you rise in the morning you need to get your spirit ready to hear and obey God. Get your heart right before you even jump out of bed – it makes things easier. Let God get in the first word and the direction for the day before your mind gets anxious and redirects you. Are we spiritually awake or asleep in our generation?

In Joel, we are reminded who God is and what He is like. He could have left them to wonder. He could have let the darkness and chaos cause them anguish, but God tells them through Joel that  – He is merciful, gracious, slow to anger and kind. He wants to be known and He wants joy and fresh wine for His family. He longs for people to repent and to avoid judgment. God teaches them and us to:

Gather, sanctify, repent and prepare.

Is that in your day planner for this week? God requires us to do that because when we do that, there is a promise that God will FULLY RESTORE. Even better than that-He will allow us to KNOW that He is the Lord, our God. Knowing God is the best gift ever. That comes first and then God promises to pour out His spirit on ALL flesh. He talks about rivers and a Fountain coming out of the house of God. The house, not brick and mortar but the gathering of the people of God. This Fountain will cause sons and daughters to prophesy. We will see restored, Spirit-led daughters proclaiming, prophesying and walking in their calling. Not just in the Children’s ministry or serving up casseroles but sharing God’s word, God’s heart, and both men and women will be working together for the Kingdom. Not for a quota –but for full operation of the gifts God has poured out to build HIS kingdom. It cannot, will not, should not, be done without ALL. It’s HIS Kingdom plan and it’s glorious!

Listen to Joel: YOU – all women, men, young, old and every color:

Put in the sickle for the HARVEST IS RIPE!   The Harvest is ripe, and the workers are not abundant, they are FEW. Why? We need joy, we need new wine, we need that promised fountain and we need ALL, anyone, everyone who can pick up a sickle and use it! To what end? To bring in the Harvest. Women, the hour is late, if you need a word Joel has spoken and speaks it to you  NOW- Put in the sickle. That’s God’s command, whether anyone agrees with you or not, God planned and plans to use YOU.   

“Get you down, for the press is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes are in the valley of decision, the Day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.”

It’s time to put away our biases, lusts, stereotypes and divisions. The DAY OF THE LORD is near. We can all repent and cry out to God for a time of restoration and rescue. His blood has cleansed us (meaning to hold innocent, leave unpunished, acquit) and God wants to still cleanse us. Christs’ blood and the Holy Spirit have been poured out. What hinders you?

If we want New wine, promises, and a flowing Fountain in our midst– this is how. We rend our hearts and not our garments. We turn to the Lord. Do you or I need restoration? Yes. That comes from Jesus, not anything else. We must get back to obeying God and His word rather than man’s opinions. He desires to rescue, deliver, and save EVERYONE – before the Yom Yahweh, the Day of the LORD….

Joel 2:16 “Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children and those that suck the breasts, let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber and the Bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers, weep between the porch and the altar and let them say

‘SPARE Thy people O Lord                                 and give not Thine heritage to reproach…”

RenaeRoche2025

Sound of the Shofar – Youtube

Hear, oh Hear Gods people, the alarm has sounded and is sounding now. Rend your hearts and get in place for the Day of the Lord approaches quickly. 

[1] (Facebook, anonymous accessed 4/28/25)

[2] Sargent, James. Cokesbury Basic Bible Commentary Hosea-Jonah. P. 71

 

I have a confession to make. I went on a date with a wonderful man. Oh, my husband was aware of it. The man? Hosea. I went to a restaurant and immersed myself in Hoseas’ book of the Bible. Over crepes and coffee, I was able to hear about his whole life. I shared it with my server who was also intrigued. I picked up one commentary and found out it was written by one of my favorite professors in seminary. [1] In the middle of an ordinary day, I got to see into a window of a life that mattered to God and hear from a teacher all while enjoying crepes. It was a joyful experience. Stuarts commentary on Hosea is the best of all the ones I read.

The first thirteen chapters of this Biblical book, however, were ugly. You remember the story? The Lord has this precious man marry a very promiscuous woman (to put it mildly). You start really detesting her and feeling like she’s the epitome of all that’s bad and then you hear the Lord say that what really breaks his heart is when people walk away from Him – forget who He is. Ouch. 

That theme will continue throughout the Old Testament into the New Testament until His son (Gods’ only begotten) will tell us how God wants to be remembered – Do THIS, in remembrance of me –so you won’t forget. That “church thing” called communion is code for “Remember I’m your creator, remember I’m your Savior, remember I’m your healer and remember I’m your soon and coming King.” It’s a love story – front to back. You, dear friend are invited to His table because He wants to be with you. Did you forget?

The story line is that God made a “berit” with His people. That means covenant. It’s an agreement of love and law to guard that love– carried out by two faithful parties. The problem was that God was faithful –but the people were anything but faithful. Stuart in his commentary points out that they treated the covenant like “dirt.” God warns them repeatedly – do not make alliances with other nations that are against me. Do not trust in idols or mighty kings to deliver you – just trust in me. But they wander, they choose thrills and shortcuts and everything and everyone under the sun to help them– except God. Yes, God is loving and faithful, but this book shows us He is also angry and jealous, with good reason.

I won’t include all the punishments and judgements here but basically all thirteen chapters of Hosea are about them. Why? God wanted their attention, their hearts. He tries in multiple ways to warn them, cajole them, redirect them. The word in Hebrew is “SHUV” which means to repent. Until repentance happens, they are still heading in the wrong direction. Just adding new behaviors won’t undo the damage done – then or now. Yikes!

But wait a minute – screech! There’s a full stop here and in chapter fourteen – the last chapter of this horrific account of Hoseas life and warnings, come some promises. Weary readers get discouraged after all the damage and judgement, but the best part is the comeback, the turnaround. I left the BEST promise out for you to discover and put some of the lesser promises on Facebook – the promise of the Lily, the Olive, and the Corn. Agricultural people would get these symbols right away. There was no internet, newspaper or cell phone to communicate. God chose visuals to demonstrate what they already understood.

The Lily – when they came back to God (collectively) they would look and smell like a FIELD of lilies, innocent, beautiful and fragrant. Previously God said they were “odious” that means bad smelling. Rotten, wicked sinners would be turned into beautiful flowers, once dormant, now blossoming. Return – this will be the result.[2]

Olives – in studying olives we learned this month that they are known for their longevity. There are trees beyond 2,000 years old today, still producing fruit. They are also known for their resilience. Frost, fire, wind and other disasters have leveled olive tree fields, and they came back up as if nothing happened. Incredible! I love comeback stories. Olives have long been known for their sacred use in oil for candles, peace offerings and ceremonies. This visual would also bring reminders of Noah and the Temple offerings. [3]

Corn / grain – Stalks of corn that grew from small seeds spring up to great heights and produce fruit that feed people and livestock. It is a picture of provision and sustenance. When God (Jehovah Jireh) brings a people back to Himself He provides for them and brings them from a “stuck place,” a “dormant place” to a place of fruitfulness. Anyone need that promise? The equation does NOT require talent, pedigree, wealth or knowing the “right people.  Shuv- as Walter Kaiser, Jr. used to tell us students, means “they needed a shuv in the right direction.” That direction is Jesus, and we need Him for any change, any promise, and any comeback. It is God that causes anyone to rise from a fall- turn to Him and quickly!

I don’t know which of these visuals you need but all three would be helpful, right? It comes not just as a blessing God dumps on everyone like the Spring rain, it comes to those in right relationship with Him. It is a promise to those, no matter how sin laden, to receive. The condition for that blessing? Repent and return, first. If you have forgotten God, walked away, or tiptoed away or full on committed spiritual or physical adultery or idolatry, the way back is the same – repent, return. Then God, not effort or strength, will make you (whoever you are) white as snow and you will receive the promises of the Lily, the Olive, and the Corn.

There are other visuals in this book like the promise of dew, fresh on the ground, watering the arid places. I’ll stick to these for this blog but the whole book is packed with intense descriptions and symbols. God used every tool available to draw them to His heart. After thirteen chapters of pain and suffering, God promises them fruitfulness, reward and abundance – if they return and remain faithful to Him. These weren’t strangers, they were His chosen people, His Bride. 

DON’T FORGET GOD! Remember His name, to walk with Him. That is the wise thing to do. It is the only thing to do. God did not and does not make relationship with Him difficult – return, repent and receive (Him and His blessings). He does all the work; you get all the benefit. He’s a faithful, loving, God and the only time He withdraws or is silent is when He wants to get our attention, so we don’t miss out on His fellowship or promises. Consider that – He is faithful, loving and kind. When we don’t deserve it – He is still faithful.

Saint – do you look like a lily field today? An olive tree field? A corn field?

If you don’t – return to God and He will bring you from dormancy to resiliency, from broken to blessing, from thirsty to thriving… you get the idea. Just a prayer, start with a prayer then get connected with the word and word people. Do you smell that? I pray it’s the scent of lilies.

RenaeRoche2025

[1] Stuart, Doug. Hosea / Joel. Word Commentary.

[2] www.Neubauersflowers.com accessed 3/31/25.

[3] www.Olivemypickle.com  accessed 3/31/25.

 

 

His Kingdom? It’s the one that shall not be destroyed. There will be no Republicans or Democrats gaining power or control, no competition and infighting. His dominion shall endure to the END. Fraud won’t happen on His watch and families will all be welcome. Everybody wins when God is in charge. Sounds utopian? It’s real and one day that Kingdom will be in full reign. Daniel gave us a glimpse of what that will look like and a front row seat to see his trials.  (Youtube:Ancient of Days)

As I write this month I have ashes on my forehead – a Lenten symbol and tradition that goes way back. In my early years the Lenten season was a big deal but in later years the church culture I was a part of did not observe it. After much research into the Old Testament festivals I realized that Martin Luther and others tried to arrange them into Christian type events– grafting them into modern church culture. Sometimes they were spot on and at other times it turned into legalism. Omitting them from our practice is not good because we miss out on beautiful truths God wants to teach us –if they are done in the  Spirit and with wonder and hope. The church that remembers the origins of some of these celebrations and sacraments can benefit tremendously. Revival and beauty arise out of “sackcloth and ashes.”

Daniel is full of signs, wonders and prophecies and because I have some deep theological thinkers that read this page I am admittedly too scared to tackle some of them. They point not only to a coming Messiah but also to the inclusion of Gentiles and specifics about the end of all days. I’ll leave that for the scholars to debate and private discussion and  instead will share the things that impacted our family.

Joe and the boys regularly said this month that Daniel had a “transformational”, not a transactional relationship with God. He wanted to be righteous more than just merely being heard. We discovered that his prayer life, three times a day, was greater than ours and that was convicting– so we stepped it up and saw more miracles, healing etc. but most importantly we saw more of God. Not only personally but also  more people coming to Christ, more physical healing, etc. Daniel is said to have served his God “continuously” and we found gaps in our week where we were not focused on His presence or promises. Following after Christ should be 365, 24/7 and not just on Sundays. We’ve said that forever but when we actually looked at our schedule there are gaps where worship or prayer were not as high on the priority list. Does God fault us for that? I don’t believe so, because He is full of grace but it seems we are the ones that get the short end of the stick when we don’t press in for those missing gap hours of being close to Him. The longer you position yourself under the “spout where the glory comes out” as the old time saints used to say, the more you experience His presence. God is living and active today – just as much as He was in Daniels time. I do not see many seeking God, with as much fervor as Daniel, myself included. It will be tragic to find out in Heaven that the only reason God did  not do more signs, wonders and miracles was because we did not dare to ask and believe!

When I was researching Ash Wednesday, there were several Biblical notes on why it is observed. I recognized Mordecai praying and fasting with sackcloth and Ashes for Queen Esther and Jonah fasting for Ninevah, but I was not as familiar with that practice in Daniel. Maybe its because we focus on the answer to his prayer and miss the practice beforehand? When he believed the nation was heading for ruin, he sat in sackcloth and ash – a type of repentance. He humbled himself before his God, put on ashes to demonstrate his contrition and repentance and then prayed for his nation. You don’t see a million man march or his female counterparts dressing in a certain color in protest. Hmm? No, instead he, Daniel, goes to his knees in prayer and seeks God, talks to Him with great intensity about what is happening in the nation around him. His words are passionate and a timely prayer we can say for our nation today:

 9:3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

⁴ I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:

“Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, ⁵ we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. ⁶ We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.

⁷ “Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. ⁸ We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you. ⁹ The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; ¹⁰ we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. ¹¹ All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.

“Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. ¹² You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. ¹³ Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. ¹⁴ The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.

¹⁵ “Now, Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. ¹⁶ Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.

¹⁷ “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. ¹⁸ Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. ¹⁹ Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

After this prayer, look what takes place, 9:26   While I was speaking {intensely!!} and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for His holy hill— ²¹ while I was still in prayer, speaking {intensely!!} Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. ²² He instructed me and said { intensley!!} to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. ²³ As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly BELOVED/ esteemed. 

Prayers are not neutral. They don’t just make sound as they exit our lips and stay there. They are active and there is One who Hears. My favorite line in Daniels prayer is when he states, “we do not pray because we are righteous but because You are merciful.” That is a mouthful!  He is counting on a loving heavenly Father to intervene. What faith! What trust!

If one person reading this prays for our nation -there is a reaction in Heaven. One, just one. We count on leaders, church members and government representatives to do that but if they are busy and don’t, there is no response in Heaven.  Are you the next Daniel? 

This is what impresses me about a man or woman of God – they stand in the gap for their families and country. Any ol slob can spout off their hatred for a party or leader. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to watch Fox news or CNN and parrot what’s being said. The complainer gets air time and people think they “understand” the way things really are but they don’t actually fix anything. Prayer warriors – they shoot heavenly prayer requests up to God and with every whisper of every prayer – a reaction occurs and an answer is sent back. Message received.

Daniels friends were threatened and they get thrown in the furnace – but they were not burned by the fire. Their enemies did however.

Daniel is threatened and he gets put in the lions’ Den – but was not destroyed in the Lion’s mouth.  His enemies were however.

Daniels’ nation is in danger because of the enormous sins of the people rebelling against God– but their end changes. Heaven is summoned to bring God’s solution and it is sent. We pray not because we are righteous– but because HE IS MERCIFUL. All day, every day. It doesn’t say He shall be merciful or possibly might consider listening to us or potentially He will extend grace hopefully in the future. Now, in this moment, right now GOD IS MERCIFUL.

Earlier Daniel lets us know that GOD IS ABLE. In chapter 9 we are told that GOD IS MERCIFUL. That means compassionate, tender, caring. That equates to being a prayer- hearing, answering and sending God. It is His character and we can trust Him. We can prepare for the furnace and the Den. Or we can learn from Daniel to pray. 

This book is filled with Aramaic phrases that tell us Daniel and His God were passionate in their communication – fiery, loud, and intense. As this book progresses, we see the transformational relationship they had. Daniel stepped up, he stepped in, then he stepped out in power and victory. Note his response to the King is a SHOUT instead of a whisper while standing before hungry lions!

Do you want results in your Christian walk? Results come from God– but our part is to pray, to serve continuously and to learn from the fiery trials around us so we can be who God needs us to be in this hour. Daniels example is not lukewarm,  it is fiery hot and continuous. It is matched by his trials and fiery outcomes. He has perpetual persecution, engages in prevailing prayer and proves his God is providentially powerful. 

First Peter 4 says it like this: “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. … And in vs. 12: Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶ However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And,“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” ¹⁹ So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

May our lives and the fruit from our lives reflect the same God that Daniel served.

RenaeRoche2025

The Book of Ezekiel

 

When people go rogue and society becomes dark, it not only affects our Spiritual health,  vision, and emotional fortitude, it impacts our physical and mental health as well. Ezekiel was chosen to become a priest. Priesthood may have been passed from father to son so it’s possible this was a dream since he was a little boy. His installation as a priest would have been the same year he was exiled. Imagine praying, preparing to have this prime spot only to end up on the bank of a channel with a bunch of smelly reprobate captives. He sat there as a fellow prisoner of a radical king in a pagan nation.  It looked bleak, and for Ezekiel, it looked OVER.

We don’t have all of Ezekiels  narrative in this book, but it might have sounded something like this, “WHY God?”, “What did I do to deserve this?”, “Is this how you treat Your own?” “How did I end up here?”  Maybe you have said something like this recently or when things you thought were going to go a certain way – didn’t. We hear words like this when people pass away, or divorce or fall ill. It stinks, and causes us to question our identity, life and calling. 

Sometimes it even causes us to question God.

Pause for a second — note that God doesn’t freak out and tell Ezekiel that his destiny has been obliterated. God wasn’t shocked that Ezekiels’ plans were ruined or say “Oops, I didn’t see that one coming.” He also does not go silent in hopes that Ezekiel can figure it all out on his own. God doesn’t give Ezekiel a cliché “everything happens for a reason”. Nope. Instead, the God of the Universe starts moving towards Ezekiel.  I love this! Maybe God loved His minister more than his ministry or stones of the Temple? 

This is incredible – whatever angels or host or creatures were in the Heavenlies are now chasing down an exiled prophet. (The next time we see a light show like this will be while Shepherds watched their flock one night in the New Testament).  In Ezekiel, the angelic come close In a moving vehicle we still can’t figure out. Respect. Remember, there’s no social media at this time, no Tesla, no airplanes, no drones….

The glory of God (that was believed to live  in Jerusalem) elevates into the sky and transports to where Ezekiel is sitting with other   captives.  That is amazing!  The Holy God was still reaching His people.  Their God was not only living, and active (unlike the idols) their God followed them! He’s was coming for them.  God made sure that His priest was NOT ALONE.  He came for him.  That speaks volumes to me. This special, host travel crew came to bless and inspire. He was not a prodigal but the nation he was part of –certainly were prodigals as they had rebelled against God. Their hearts were idolatrous long before they ended up by the waterfront.

Guilt is when a man (or woman) does wrong things, or does something bad. Shame is when a person is bad.  These people were hardened, stubborn, and had turned from God to lesser loves and foreign idols. Their hearts were fake, plastic, and not responsive to God at all. They could add all the sprinkles and frosting possible but their hearts underneath were dry and stale.

Ezekiel’s Heavenly visitation refreshed him, and he began to teach, and prophesy.  The “company” showing up gave him courage. Perhaps God had to send angelic company because he was in such bad company. Their appearing strengthened and probably scared him.

The NIV tells us God told him, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” The NLT states it like this: “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.”

It was the love of God that ran after Ezekiel in a foreign land. 1 John 4:19 tells us “We love because He first loved us.” Though Ezekiel was carried away in exile, though the holy temple was gone – God was still with him, God was still THERE. God’s love chased him down, ran after him, followed him to the new place. That new place became a dwelling for God, a place for His presence so Ezekiel names the city “Yahweh is there” – that place, that’s where God is – there. We know He is there because of the evidence– fruit, love, joy, life. That’s how we know God is “there” – in one’s heart,  family or local church. When God is there, He leaves a trail – a trail of fruit, healing and life.

Before we proceed with this story, how is your heart today? Fresh, renewed, responsive? Or is your heart burdened with idolatry, bitterness or shame? What God promised Ezekiel is also promised to us today. If we confess our sins and ask God to give us a new heart and life, He will come dwell with us and give us a brand new heart – FREE from guilt and shame (See the Good news page for more information).

Then Ezekiel gets some visual downloads from God. He does street theater to explain God’s word to people, and then, Ezekiel is shown a picture (Chapter 47) of a river. Not the small channel of despair where they gathered after being exiled. No, this little stream would surge into a raging river. It started small and then grew in depth and strength. In this book we see many pictures of the Holy Spirit – wind, fire, flood, earthquake, river.

In contrast, when sin runs rampant, it spoils everything, it depresses people, it corrodes communication, it spills over into abysmal rot. When God’s spirit spills over, it rises, brings fruit. It turns into Garden of Eden-type blessings. We can compare this River to the one in Revelation – full of healing and life. Ezekiel had a preview of one day hearts being changed and fresh, one day the river bringing healing and life. Then all will know where the Lord is at, He’s in the new city -there.

The Hebrew word for “THERE” is Sham. It means He’s not just with the religious buildings or sacred cities. HE follows us, He oversees us, He chases His own down to guide, love and make things new. After hearing a sermon last week on the River. I silently prayed while in a few settings and circumstances, “Lord, bring your river to this place, this situation.” Each and every circumstance changed for the better. He waits for us to invite Him in. He longs to bring His river to our broken places, our failures. His desire is to bring Heaven TO ME, TO YOU. Undeserved, unearned. How was your day? Well, God was there. How do you know? Well, because He brought Himself, He brought joy, He brought fruit, He brought peace.

Without repentance God will judge. His holiness requires that, but with repentance, God will move Heaven and earth to come to whatever dark place we are in. He will take away our shame and replace it with His very presence – SHAM – He will be there. Do you hear the echoes of “for lo I am with you, even to the ends of the earth?”

Wherever you are sitting – exiled, broken, weary–Let God bring change. Repent of sin, ask God in and allow His River to flow in you, in your circumstances and watch Him move. His word gives hope –and promises us that He will be THERE.

“There is a River, that flows from deep within. There is a fountain that frees my soul from sin. Come to the River… there is a vast supply, there is a River, that NEVER shall run dry.”

Maybe this Valentines month, you would like a real new, fresh heart. Not a glittery, plastic or shiny one, but one that is responsive, yielded to God? God still says, “Be MINE”. He’s watching, He’s waiting and coming for YOU. Will you welcome Him, invite Him in?

RenaeRoche2025