Perhaps this week, when we read from five books, you will take comfort in the knowledge that one of the five is the shortest book of the Old Testament: Obadiah. Obadiah is so short; in fact, that it doesn't even have any chapters. There are just 21 verses; twenty-one verses about a conflict that has roots dating back to Jacob and Esau (Genesis 27)! Obadiah's message is a judgment against Edom.

Anyone who has ever felt called by God and wanted to run the other way will appreciate the story of Jonah. Though the whale takes center stage, the real focus in Jonah is on the work of God in and through even the most reluctant of servants.

Micah may be best remembered for naming Bethlehem as the place where our Savior would be born (see 5:2). His prophecy alternates between oracles of doom and oracles of hope. Despite the messages of doom, Micah was absolutely confident of God's grace.
 
Nahum speaks a word of comfort to Judah, whose people lived in fear and terror of the Assyrians. From Judah's perspective, the Assyrians were invincible. Nahum had his work cut out for him: how to persuade the people of God they need not be intimidated by the enemy?

Habakkuk speaks a word not to God's people, but rather, to God. His message begins with a question most of us have asked: "How long, O God, must I cry for help before you listen?" Eugene Peterson calls this prophet, our "prophet companion," standing at our side, sharing our experiences, daring to ask all the tough questions. And then he waits. And God answers.

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Job, the writers of the Psalms, the prophets -- they all did it: they dared to say out loud whatever was on their hearts. They were brave and bold to express the full range of human emotions to God, from uncontainable joy, to profound anger. They asked questions. They demanded answers. And at every turn; at every turn, God listened. How freeing is it to know that we are welcome to bring to God all of our burdens and worries and cares knowing that they will be received by the one who made us and loves us no matter what?!