Serving God When the Trumpets Sound. Men are quick to forget that they are frail and need the protection of God. Only when we see our frailty will we

Serving God When the Serving God When the Trumpets SoundTrumpets Sound

Men are quick to forget that they are frail Men are quick to forget that they are frail and need the protection of God.and need the protection of God.

• Only when we see our frailty will we be Only when we see our frailty will we be able to gain true wisdom to live. able to gain true wisdom to live. (Psa 90:10-12)(Psa 90:10-12)


• Psalm 90:10-12 (NKJV)Psalm 90:10-12 (NKJV) - The days of our - The days of our lives lives areare seventy years; And if by reason seventy years; And if by reason of strength of strength they arethey are eighty years, eighty years, Yet Yet their boast their boast isis only labor and sorrow; For only labor and sorrow; For it it is soon cut off, and we fly awayis soon cut off, and we fly away. 11 Who . 11 Who knows knows the power of Your angerthe power of Your anger? For as ? For as the fear of You, the fear of You, so isso is Your wrath Your wrath. 12 So . 12 So teach teach usus to number our daysto number our days, That we may , That we may gain a heart of wisdomgain a heart of wisdom..


• We do not need to be smart and powerful We do not need to be smart and powerful or look to those who are, to find both or look to those who are, to find both meaning and protection in this life. meaning and protection in this life.

• One of the sad spectacles in life is that of One of the sad spectacles in life is that of the proud fool who is unprepared for the proud fool who is unprepared for calamity. calamity. (Lk 12:19-20)(Lk 12:19-20)


• Luke 12:19-20 (NKJV)Luke 12:19-20 (NKJV) - And I will say to - And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, drink, andand be merry.”’ 20 But God said to be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘him, ‘Fool!Fool! This night your soul will be This night your soul will be required of you; required of you; then whose will those then whose will those things be which you have providedthings be which you have provided?’ ?’


• God is merciful and allows suffering to God is merciful and allows suffering to come in order that we may think straight! come in order that we may think straight!

• Israel refused to acknowledge God during Israel refused to acknowledge God during its time of suffering. its time of suffering. (Amos 4:6-13)(Amos 4:6-13)


• Amos 4:6-13 (NKJV)Amos 4:6-13 (NKJV) - “Also I gave you - “Also I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your citiescleanness of teeth in all your cities. And . And lack of bread in all your places; Yet you lack of bread in all your places; Yet you have not returned to Me,” Says the LORD. have not returned to Me,” Says the LORD. 7 “I also withheld rain from you, …7 “I also withheld rain from you, …Yet you Yet you have not returned to Mehave not returned to Me,” Says the LORD. ,” Says the LORD. 9 “I blasted you with 9 “I blasted you with blight and mildewblight and mildew.… .… The The locustlocust devoured devoured them; them; Yet you have Yet you have not returned to Menot returned to Me,” Says the LORD.,” Says the LORD.


• 1010 “I sent among you “I sent among you a plague after the a plague after the manner of Egyptmanner of Egypt; Your ; Your young men I killed young men I killed with a swordwith a sword, Along with your captive , Along with your captive horses; horses; I made the stench of your I made the stench of your camps come up into your nostrils; Yet camps come up into your nostrils; Yet you you have not returned to Mehave not returned to Me,” Says the LORD. ,” Says the LORD.


• 11 “I overthrew 11 “I overthrew somesome of you, As God of you, As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, And you overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, And you were like a firebrand plucked from the were like a firebrand plucked from the burning; burning; Yet you have not returned to MeYet you have not returned to Me,” ,” Says the LORD. 12 “Therefore thus will I Says the LORD. 12 “Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel; Because I will do this do to you, O Israel; Because I will do this to you, to you, Prepare to meet your GodPrepare to meet your God, O , O Israel!”Israel!”


• 13 For behold, He who forms mountains, 13 For behold, He who forms mountains, And creates the wind, Who declares to And creates the wind, Who declares to man what his thought man what his thought is, is, And makes the And makes the morning darkness, Who treads the high morning darkness, Who treads the high places of the earth — places of the earth — The LORD God of The LORD God of hosts hosts isis His name His name..


• There is no more fearful a thought than There is no more fearful a thought than that of meeting a living God unprepared!that of meeting a living God unprepared!

• For those who do respond God will For those who do respond God will receive, provide for and protect. receive, provide for and protect. (Joel 2:12-13)(Joel 2:12-13)


• Joel 2:12-13 (NKJV)Joel 2:12-13 (NKJV) - “Now, therefore,” - “Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourningmourning.” 13 So .” 13 So rend your heart, and not rend your heart, and not your garmentsyour garments; Return to the LORD your ; Return to the LORD your God, For God, For He He isis gracious and merciful gracious and merciful, , Slow to anger, and of Slow to anger, and of great kindnessgreat kindness; And ; And He He relents from doing harmrelents from doing harm. .


• What should we do in times of physical, What should we do in times of physical, financial and spiritual distress?financial and spiritual distress?

Remember that God rules among the Remember that God rules among the nationsnations

• God has shown us time and again that He God has shown us time and again that He brings nations up and also takes them brings nations up and also takes them down. down. (Rev 2:26-27)(Rev 2:26-27)


• Revelation 2:26-27 (NKJV)Revelation 2:26-27 (NKJV) - And he who - And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the end, to him I will give power over the nations — 27nations — 27 ‘‘HeHe shall rule them with a shall rule them with a rod of ironrod of iron; They shall ; They shall be dashed to pieces be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vesselslike the potter’s vessels’ ’ — as I also have — as I also have received from My Father;received from My Father;


• He gives nations opportunity to repent by He gives nations opportunity to repent by warning them with His word and with warning them with His word and with His judgments.His judgments.

• There comes a time where a nation There comes a time where a nation reaches the point of no return. reaches the point of no return. (Gen 15:16)(Gen 15:16)


• The book of Revelation was written The book of Revelation was written primarily for the struggle of that primarily for the struggle of that generation. generation. (Rev 1:1)(Rev 1:1)

• God used “trumpets” that is calamities of God used “trumpets” that is calamities of various kinds to humble men so they various kinds to humble men so they might repent and seek God. might repent and seek God. (Rev 8:6-(Rev 8:6-10)10)


• Revelation 8:6-10 (NKJV)Revelation 8:6-10 (NKJV) - So the seven - So the seven angels who had angels who had the seven trumpetsthe seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. 7 The first prepared themselves to sound. 7 The first angel sounded: angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, And hail and fire followed, mingled with bloodmingled with blood, and they were thrown , and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up, and all green grass was burned up. burned up.


• 8 Then the second angel sounded: And 8 Then the second angel sounded: And somethingsomething like like a great mountain burning with a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the seafire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the , and a third of the sea became blood. 9 And a third of the living sea became blood. 9 And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. 10 Then the third ships were destroyed. 10 Then the third angel sounded: And angel sounded: And a great star fell from a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fellheaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.third of the rivers and on the springs of water.


• Consider the affects of a sudden Consider the affects of a sudden catastrophe. We see the world anew!catastrophe. We see the world anew!


• ““Even while numbness sets in, something Even while numbness sets in, something else happens. A mental "window" opens else happens. A mental "window" opens for a period of time that shocks us into an for a period of time that shocks us into an appreciation of our existence in a more appreciation of our existence in a more poignant way than our everyday poignant way than our everyday awareness allows for. We become more awareness allows for. We become more sensitized to the simple beauty of our sensitized to the simple beauty of our being alive and the importance of those being alive and the importance of those who matter to us. who matter to us.


• Suddenly the important things in our lives Suddenly the important things in our lives jump forward in bold relief. The window jump forward in bold relief. The window tends not to stay open for too long, as we tends not to stay open for too long, as we slowly drift back into our common slowly drift back into our common mentality.”mentality.”


• These trumpets affected everything that These trumpets affected everything that was important to the worldly man. The was important to the worldly man. The misery was so great that many misery was so great that many wanted to die. wanted to die. (Rev 9:5-6)(Rev 9:5-6)


• Revelation 9:5-6 (NKJV)Revelation 9:5-6 (NKJV) - And they were - And they were not given not given authorityauthority to kill them, but to to kill them, but to torment them torment them forfor five months. Their five months. Their torment torment waswas like the torment of a scorpion like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. 6 In those days when it strikes a man. 6 In those days men men will seek death and will not find itwill seek death and will not find it; they will ; they will desire to die, and death will flee from desire to die, and death will flee from themthem..


• Sadly most failed to repent when the Sadly most failed to repent when the trumpets sounded in Rome. trumpets sounded in Rome. (Rev 9:20-21)(Rev 9:20-21)


• Revelation 9:20-21 (NKJV)Revelation 9:20-21 (NKJV) - But the rest - But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. 21 And nor hear nor walk. 21 And they did not they did not repentrepent of their murders or their sorceries of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.or their sexual immorality or their thefts.


• Most today will not respond with Most today will not respond with repentance. repentance.

• Foolish men never learn. Foolish men never learn. (Prov 27:22)(Prov 27:22)


• Proverbs 27:22 (NKJV)Proverbs 27:22 (NKJV) - Though you - Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, with crushed grain, YetYet his foolishness will his foolishness will not depart from himnot depart from him..

Remember that God hears and answers Remember that God hears and answers prayersprayers

• Habakkuk had doubts about the Habakkuk had doubts about the wickedness around him. wickedness around him. (Hab 1:1-4)(Hab 1:1-4)


• Habakkuk 1:1-4 (NKJV)Habakkuk 1:1-4 (NKJV) - - The burdenThe burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw. 2 O which the prophet Habakkuk saw. 2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, And LORD, how long shall I cry, And You will You will not hearnot hear? Even cry out to You, “Violence!” ? Even cry out to You, “Violence!” And And You will not saveYou will not save. 3 Why do You . 3 Why do You show me iniquity, And cause show me iniquity, And cause meme to see to see trouble? For plundering and violence trouble? For plundering and violence areare before me; There is strife, and contention before me; There is strife, and contention arises.arises.


• 4 Therefore the law is powerless, And 4 Therefore the law is powerless, And justice never goes forth. For the wicked justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore surround the righteous; Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.perverse judgment proceeds.


• Did God see Judah’s wickedness? Did God see Judah’s wickedness? Indifference? Why does God not act? Indifference? Why does God not act?

• Be careful when you seek such answers. Be careful when you seek such answers. God had a plan. God had a plan.

• God’s answer was not what Habakkuk God’s answer was not what Habakkuk wanted to hear. wanted to hear. (Hab 1:5-11)(Hab 1:5-11)


• Habakkuk 1:5-11 (NKJV)Habakkuk 1:5-11 (NKJV) - - “Look “Look among the nations and watch — Be utterly among the nations and watch — Be utterly astounded! For astounded! For I willI will work a work in your work a work in your days days WhichWhich you would not believe, though you would not believe, though it were told it were told youyou. . 66 For indeed I am For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans, A bitter and raising up the Chaldeans, A bitter and hasty nation Which marches through the hasty nation Which marches through the breadth of the earth, To possess dwelling breadth of the earth, To possess dwelling places places that arethat are not theirs…. not theirs….


• It is important to know that God knows what It is important to know that God knows what he is doing.he is doing.

• The Babylonians were very evil. They were The Babylonians were very evil. They were going to make a great slaughter of going to make a great slaughter of the people and never give God credit. the people and never give God credit.

• Habakkuk now has a greater problem. Habakkuk now has a greater problem. • Have you ever had a problem that started Have you ever had a problem that started

out bad and then grew worse?out bad and then grew worse?


• How could God use such a wicked How could God use such a wicked people? people? (Hab 1:12-13)(Hab 1:12-13)


• Habakkuk 1:12-13 (NKJV)Habakkuk 1:12-13 (NKJV) - Are You not from - Are You not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One? everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O LORD, You have We shall not die. O LORD, You have appointed them for judgment; O Rock, appointed them for judgment; O Rock, You You have marked them for correctionhave marked them for correction. 13 . 13 You areYou are of purer eyes than to behold evil, And cannot of purer eyes than to behold evil, And cannot look on wickedness. look on wickedness. Why do You look on Why do You look on those who deal treacherouslythose who deal treacherously, , AndAnd hold Your hold Your tongue when tongue when the wicked devours A the wicked devours A personperson more righteous than hemore righteous than he??


• The destruction would be great! Nothing The destruction would be great! Nothing much would be left. much would be left. (Hab 1:14-17)(Hab 1:14-17)


• Habakkuk 1:14-17 (NKJV)Habakkuk 1:14-17 (NKJV) - - WhyWhy do You do You make men like fish of the sea, Like make men like fish of the sea, Like creeping things creeping things that havethat have no ruler over no ruler over them? 15 They take up all of them with a them? 15 They take up all of them with a hook, They catch them in their net, And hook, They catch them in their net, And gather them in their dragnet. Therefore gather them in their dragnet. Therefore they rejoice and are glad. they rejoice and are glad.


• 16 Therefore they sacrifice to their net, 16 Therefore they sacrifice to their net, And burn incense to their dragnet; And burn incense to their dragnet; Because by them their share Because by them their share isis sumptuous sumptuous And their food plentiful. 17 Shall they And their food plentiful. 17 Shall they therefore empty their net, And therefore empty their net, And continue to continue to slay nations without pityslay nations without pity??


• ““How could God allow this to happen?”How could God allow this to happen?”

Remember that God’s judgments will Remember that God’s judgments will come to passcome to pass

• Habakkuk to his credit knew when to be Habakkuk to his credit knew when to be quiet and listen. quiet and listen. (Hab 2:1)(Hab 2:1)


• Habakkuk 2:1 (NKJV)Habakkuk 2:1 (NKJV) - I will stand my - I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to mewatch to see what He will say to me, And , And what I will answer when I am correctedwhat I will answer when I am corrected..


• You cannot learn when you complain all You cannot learn when you complain all the time.the time.

• You cannot learn when you close your You cannot learn when you close your ears in anger.ears in anger.

• God simply repeated what He said. You God simply repeated what He said. You can count on it! can count on it! (Hab 2:2-3)(Hab 2:2-3)


• Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NKJV) Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NKJV) - Then the - Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision And make vision And make itit plain on tablets, That plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision isis yet for an appointed time yet for an appointed time; ; But at the But at the end end it will speak, and it will not lieit will speak, and it will not lie. Though . Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely it will surely come, It will not tarrycome, It will not tarry..


• God is not like us and is swayed by God is not like us and is swayed by emotion.emotion.

• When we act on principle we will see a When we act on principle we will see a great consistency.great consistency.

• When things do not go “our way” is when When things do not go “our way” is when we show our faith.we show our faith.

• God did see the sins of Judah. God did see the sins of Judah. (Hab 2:4-5)(Hab 2:4-5)


• Habakkuk 2:4-5 (NKJV)Habakkuk 2:4-5 (NKJV) - “Behold the - “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faiththe just shall live by his faith. 5 “Indeed, . 5 “Indeed, because he transgresses by wine, because he transgresses by wine, He isHe is a a proud man, And he does not stay at home. proud man, And he does not stay at home. Because he enlarges his desire as hell, Because he enlarges his desire as hell, And he And he isis like death, and cannot be like death, and cannot be satisfied, He gathers to himself all nations satisfied, He gathers to himself all nations And heaps up for himself all peoples.And heaps up for himself all peoples.


• He knew their pride. Only “the just shall He knew their pride. Only “the just shall live by faith”, this is the key to the book.live by faith”, this is the key to the book.

• The righteous would also suffer in such a The righteous would also suffer in such a judgment. But they will be faithful.judgment. But they will be faithful.

• God now gives five woes towards Judah. God now gives five woes towards Judah. (Hab 2:6-19)(Hab 2:6-19)


• It is almost comical to think that we could It is almost comical to think that we could ever think that we know something that ever think that we know something that God does not know! I am sure Habakkuk God does not know! I am sure Habakkuk learned much he never knew. learned much he never knew.


• What we need to do is shut our mouths What we need to do is shut our mouths and listen! and listen! (Hab 2:20)(Hab 2:20)


• Habakkuk 2:20 (NKJV)Habakkuk 2:20 (NKJV) - “But the LORD - “But the LORD is in His holy temple. is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep Let all the earth keep silence before Himsilence before Him.”.”

Remember that the just shall live by faithRemember that the just shall live by faith

• While Habakkuk has a time of struggle, he While Habakkuk has a time of struggle, he has resolved that and give God the praise. has resolved that and give God the praise. (Hab 3:1-2)(Hab 3:1-2)


• Habakkuk 3:1-2 (NKJV)Habakkuk 3:1-2 (NKJV) - A prayer of - A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, on Shigionoth. 2 O Habakkuk the prophet, on Shigionoth. 2 O LORD, I have LORD, I have heard Your speech heard Your speech andand was was afraidafraid; O LORD, ; O LORD, revive Your work in the revive Your work in the midst of the yearsmidst of the years! In the midst of the ! In the midst of the years make years make itit known; known; In wrath remember In wrath remember mercymercy..


• We too must not sit on the sidelines We too must not sit on the sidelines fuming very long.fuming very long.

• We cannot fight God. God knows best.We cannot fight God. God knows best.• God was doing the very best for His God was doing the very best for His

people. people. (Hab 3:13)(Hab 3:13)


• Habakkuk 3:13 (NKJV)Habakkuk 3:13 (NKJV) - You went forth - You went forth for the salvation of Your peoplefor the salvation of Your people, For , For salvation with Your Anointed. You struck salvation with Your Anointed. You struck the head from the house of the wicked, By the head from the house of the wicked, By laying bare from foundation to neck. laying bare from foundation to neck. SelahSelah


• All of history stands because of what God All of history stands because of what God wants for His people.wants for His people.

• When we give up our faith we pervert the When we give up our faith we pervert the purpose for the whole universe.purpose for the whole universe.

• While Habakkuk has resolved his doubts, While Habakkuk has resolved his doubts, he knows difficult times are ahead.he knows difficult times are ahead.

• What if you knew this country would fall? What if you knew this country would fall? What if a bloody war is coming?What if a bloody war is coming?


• There is a good deal of grief for Habakkuk. There is a good deal of grief for Habakkuk. (Hab 3:16-17)(Hab 3:16-17)


• Habakkuk 3:16-17 (NKJV)Habakkuk 3:16-17 (NKJV) - When I - When I heard, heard, my body trembledmy body trembled; ; My lips quiveredMy lips quivered at at thethe voice; voice; Rottenness entered my Rottenness entered my bonesbones; And ; And I trembled in myselfI trembled in myself, That , That I I might rest in the day of troublemight rest in the day of trouble. When he . When he comes up to the people, He will invade comes up to the people, He will invade them with his troops.them with his troops.


• 1717 Though Though the fig tree may not blossomthe fig tree may not blossom, , Nor Nor fruit be on the vinesfruit be on the vines; Though ; Though the labor the labor of the olive may failof the olive may fail, And , And the fields yield no the fields yield no foodfood; Though ; Though the flock may be cut off from the flock may be cut off from the foldthe fold, And there be , And there be no herd in the stallsno herd in the stalls——


• Still there is a joy that no circumstances Still there is a joy that no circumstances could remove. could remove. (Hab 3:18-19)(Hab 3:18-19)


• Habakkuk 3:18-19 (NKJV)Habakkuk 3:18-19 (NKJV) - Yet - Yet I will I will rejoice in the LORDrejoice in the LORD, I will , I will joy in the God of joy in the God of my salvationmy salvation. 19 . 19 The LORD God is my The LORD God is my strengthstrength; He will make my feet like deer’s ; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, feet, And He will make me walk on my And He will make me walk on my high hills. high hills.


• Are you ready to “live by faith” when the Are you ready to “live by faith” when the world crumbles around you?world crumbles around you?

Documents

Serving God When the Trumpets Sound. Men are quick to forget that they are frail and need the protection of God. Only when we see our frailty will we