Podcast Summary

Podcast: Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry
Host: Crossway
Episode: December 26 – Habakkuk 1–3; Psalm 145:14–21; Revelation 10–12
Date: December 26, 2025

Overview of the Episode

This episode of "Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry" continues the daily reading sequence, covering three key scripture passages: Habakkuk 1–3 (Old Testament), Psalm 145:14–21, and Revelation 10–12 (New Testament). The readings highlight the struggles of faith during injustice (Habakkuk), an expression of God's provision and righteousness (Psalm), and the apocalyptic visions of victory, judgment, and cosmic spiritual warfare (Revelation).

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Habakkuk 1–3: Wrestling with Injustice and Trusting God

• Habakkuk's Lament (00:01–03:30):
  • The prophet cries out to God about unchecked violence, injustice, and apparent divine silence.
  • Quote: “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? … Why do you make me see iniquity?” (00:10)
• God’s Response: Chaldean Judgment & The Mystery of Divine Ways:
  • God responds by revealing that He is raising up the Chaldeans (Babylonians) as instruments of judgment, even though they are wicked.
  • Habakkuk questions how God can use evil nations for his purposes, struggling with the tension between God’s purity and the ugliness of history.
  • Quote: “Are you not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One? … You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong…” (01:36)
• Living by Faith (03:30–05:30):
  • God commands Habakkuk to write the vision plainly and assures him that justice will come at its appointed time.
  • Key Verse: “But the righteous shall live by his faith.” (03:58)
• Five Woes and the Coming Glory (04:10–06:20):
  • Pronouncements against greed, violence, idolatry, shame, and oppression.
  • Hopeful affirmation: “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (05:19)
• Habakkuk's Prayer and Resolution (06:20–07:03):
  • A poetic reflection on God’s mighty past acts and a declaration of trust.
  • Climactic Act of Faith: “Though the fig tree should not blossom… yet I will rejoice in the Lord… God, the Lord, is my strength.” (06:54)

2. Psalm 145:14–21: God’s Righteousness and Kindness

• Affirmations of God’s Character (07:03–07:40):
  • The psalm praises God for upholding the weak and satisfying all living things.
  • Quote: “The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.” (07:03)
  • Quote: “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.” (07:14)
• Divine Nearness and Faithfulness:
  • Emphasis on the nearness of God to those who call on Him truthfully and His preservation of those who love Him.
  • The psalmist calls for continual praise: “Let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.” (07:34)

3. Revelation 10–12: Cosmic Battle and Divine Victory

• The Mighty Angel and the Little Scroll (07:43–09:12):
  • John witnesses a heavenly angel with a scroll, symbolizing a message both sweet and bitter.
  • Notable Symbolism: “Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” (08:38)
• The Two Witnesses and the Seventh Trumpet (09:12–11:27):
  • Prophecy of two witnesses who face persecution, death, resurrection, and ascension—culminating in a dramatic earthquake.
  • Triumph Proclamation: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” (11:04)
• Heavenly Worship and Judgment:
  • The 24 elders give thanks to God for his reign and judgment, highlighting both mercy to His people and punishment for evil.
  • Quote: “The nations raged, but your wrath came… for destroying the destroyers of the earth.” (11:18)
• The Woman, the Dragon, and the Story of Cosmic Warfare (11:27–13:00):
  • Vision of a woman (symbolic of God’s people) pursued by a great red dragon (Satan).
  • The birth of a child destined to “rule all nations with a rod of iron” (understood as Christ).
  • Michael and angels defeat the dragon, who is cast out of heaven.
  • Declaration of Victory: “They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” (12:51)
  • The dragon wages war on “the rest of her offspring, those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” (13:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Habakkuk’s Honest Lament:
  “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?” — Habakkuk (00:10)
• God’s Timely Assurance:
  “If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” — God to Habakkuk (03:51)
• Faith Amid Ruin:
  “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength.” — Habakkuk (06:54)
• Psalmist’s Confidence:
  “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (07:14)
• Heaven’s Announcement of Triumph:
  “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” (11:04)
• How Believers Overcome Evil:
  “They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” (12:51)

Important Timestamps

• Habakkuk's Lament & God’s Response: 00:01–06:20
• Habakkuk’s Prayer of Faith: 06:20–07:03
• Psalm 145: God’s Righteousness and Provision: 07:03–07:40
• Revelation 10: The Angel and the Scroll: 07:43–09:12
• Revelation 11: Two Witnesses & the Seventh Trumpet: 09:12–11:27
• Revelation 12: The Woman, the Dragon, and the Victory of Christ: 11:27–13:00

Tone & Language

The episode is characterized by reverence, solemnity, and faithfulness to the biblical text. The readings give voice to deep human emotions—lament, hope, faith, and triumph—using poetic and prophetic language. The tone moves from despair to assurance to cosmic victory, echoing both ancient struggles and the Christian hope in God’s sovereignty.

For Further Reflection

Listeners are encouraged to meditate on the faith of Habakkuk, the assurance of God’s care in Psalm 145, and the triumphant hope amid spiritual conflict as depicted in Revelation.