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
REFLECT
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
What is the best gift you have ever received?
What does God’s gift of Jesus tell us about God?
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.
FAMILY ACTIVITY
Find a gift bag or small box and put something inside – it could be a snack, small toy, etc. Hold the gift out to your children and ask them, “What do you think you need to do to receive this gift? Hop on one foot? Clean your room? Do you need to be kind for 20 days in a row?” After they guess, share the answer with them, “When a gift is offered to you, all you need to do is 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.
But I will still be glad because of what the Lord has done. God my Savior fills me with joy.
-Habbakuk 3:18
REFLECT
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
What is the best gift you have ever received?
What does God’s gift of Jesus tell us about God?
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.
FAMILY ACTIVITY
Find a gift bag or small box and put something inside – it could be a snack, small toy, etc. Hold the gift out to your children and ask them, “What do you think you need to do to receive this gift? Hop on one foot? Clean your room? Do you need to be kind for 20 days in a row?” After they guess, share the answer with them, “When a gift is offered to you, all you need to do is 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.