DAY 19
GOD’S MESSENGERS
But I will still be glad because of what the Lord has done. God my Savior fills me with joy.
-Habbakuk 3:18
PAUSE
The children of Israel were living in disobedience to God. They had forgotten all that He had done for them and ignored the commandments He gave to keep them safe. In response, God sent them a message: they would have to leave their homes and live in a foreign land for 70 years. Yet even with this punishment, God promised to bring His people back home one day. However, God knew that simply bringing them back wouldn’t change their hearts. Time and time again, the people would disobey Him, as though their hearts were made of stone—hard and resistant to doing what was right.
God understood that something more was needed to truly change His people. He planned to send a very special gift, one that could soften their hearts and give them the desire to obey Him. That gift was Jesus.
Even though the Israelites disobeyed and their hearts were hardened, God’s love for them never wavered. He didn’t want to be separated from His children; He longed to be close to them again. That’s why He promised to send Jesus. Jesus would transform hearts, enabling His people to obey God and ensuring they would never have to be separated from Him again. Just as God promised to restore His people to their homeland, He also promised the ultimate gift of Jesus for everyone.
God’s messengers, the prophets, held onto this promise. They faithfully reminded the people of God’s unfailing love. One of these prophets, Habakkuk, stood on his watchtower and waited for God. Even though the people were far from God and it seemed like their separation might never end, Habakkuk trusted that God would keep His promise—because God always does.
This reminds us of waiting for Christmas to come. Just like we wait with anticipation for the joy of the season, the people of Israel waited for the greatest gift of all—Jesus. And just like Christmas always comes, God’s promises always come true. Jesus is the best gift ever, bringing us back into a loving relationship with God forever.
DISCUSSION
Why do you think the Israelites continued to disobey God even after experiencing His love and discipline? What does this teach us about the human heart and the need for Jesus?
God promised to send Jesus to transform hardened hearts and restore His people to Himself. How does this promise show God’s love and desire to be close to us?
Habakkuk waited faithfully for God’s promises to be fulfilled, even in difficult times. How can we practice trusting God’s promises in seasons of waiting?
The story compares waiting for Jesus to the excitement of waiting for Christmas. How can this help us reflect on the anticipation and joy of God’s promises being fulfilled?
PRAY
God, thank you that you will never stop loving me. Thank you for promising Jesus who takes my hard heart and makes it soft so that I can have joy in my heart.
ACTIVITY
Advent tree & ornaments - If you don’t already have an ornament for today, craft or find an ornament that corresponds with today’s content - God’s Messengers. Then hang your nineteenth ornament on the tree.
Family Memories - Wrap an empty box to look like a Christmas present. Ask your children, “What do you need to do to receive this gift?” Help them come to the conclusion, “to take it.” Share how God’s gift is Jesus, and the way they receive Him is just like the gift. It is by faith. They don’t have to earn it.
Take a photo or video of your family activity or putting your 19th ornament on your Advent tree. Post your pictures or videos to the facebook group or tag @summitparkchurch!
But I will still be glad because of what the Lord has done. God my Savior fills me with joy.
-Habbakuk 3:18
PAUSE
The children of Israel were living in disobedience to God. They had forgotten all that He had done for them and ignored the commandments He gave to keep them safe. In response, God sent them a message: they would have to leave their homes and live in a foreign land for 70 years. Yet even with this punishment, God promised to bring His people back home one day. However, God knew that simply bringing them back wouldn’t change their hearts. Time and time again, the people would disobey Him, as though their hearts were made of stone—hard and resistant to doing what was right.
God understood that something more was needed to truly change His people. He planned to send a very special gift, one that could soften their hearts and give them the desire to obey Him. That gift was Jesus.
Even though the Israelites disobeyed and their hearts were hardened, God’s love for them never wavered. He didn’t want to be separated from His children; He longed to be close to them again. That’s why He promised to send Jesus. Jesus would transform hearts, enabling His people to obey God and ensuring they would never have to be separated from Him again. Just as God promised to restore His people to their homeland, He also promised the ultimate gift of Jesus for everyone.
God’s messengers, the prophets, held onto this promise. They faithfully reminded the people of God’s unfailing love. One of these prophets, Habakkuk, stood on his watchtower and waited for God. Even though the people were far from God and it seemed like their separation might never end, Habakkuk trusted that God would keep His promise—because God always does.
This reminds us of waiting for Christmas to come. Just like we wait with anticipation for the joy of the season, the people of Israel waited for the greatest gift of all—Jesus. And just like Christmas always comes, God’s promises always come true. Jesus is the best gift ever, bringing us back into a loving relationship with God forever.
DISCUSSION
Why do you think the Israelites continued to disobey God even after experiencing His love and discipline? What does this teach us about the human heart and the need for Jesus?
God promised to send Jesus to transform hardened hearts and restore His people to Himself. How does this promise show God’s love and desire to be close to us?
Habakkuk waited faithfully for God’s promises to be fulfilled, even in difficult times. How can we practice trusting God’s promises in seasons of waiting?
The story compares waiting for Jesus to the excitement of waiting for Christmas. How can this help us reflect on the anticipation and joy of God’s promises being fulfilled?
PRAY
God, thank you that you will never stop loving me. Thank you for promising Jesus who takes my hard heart and makes it soft so that I can have joy in my heart.
ACTIVITY
Advent tree & ornaments - If you don’t already have an ornament for today, craft or find an ornament that corresponds with today’s content - God’s Messengers. Then hang your nineteenth ornament on the tree.
Family Memories - Wrap an empty box to look like a Christmas present. Ask your children, “What do you need to do to receive this gift?” Help them come to the conclusion, “to take it.” Share how God’s gift is Jesus, and the way they receive Him is just like the gift. It is by faith. They don’t have to earn it.
Take a photo or video of your family activity or putting your 19th ornament on your Advent tree. Post your pictures or videos to the facebook group or tag @summitparkchurch!