Category: Zephaniah

Zephaniah 3:14 Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!

The beginning of this chapter is about what happens when God calls the unrepentant to account. It’s not pretty. But even in judgement, God restores the remnant who remain faithful. He still has grace and compassion for those who call on Him.

Zephaniah 3:15 The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.

Not only does He have grace and compassion for the remnant, not only does He remove their punishment and turn back their enemy, He reassures them that as His beloved, they have nothing to fear from others.

Zephaniah 3:16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.

Lord, You are the epitome of grace. You remove our sins from us so completely that You can and do rejoice over us with singing instead. Thank You seems so inadequate for such a gift. When I think of the grudges I hold in my heart against those I perceive have done me wrong, I am ashamed. Help me to be more like You, to drop my pride and love Your people with my whole heart. Amen.

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing

Have a blessed day.

Zephaniah 2:1 Gather together, gather yourselves together, you shameful nation….

Again, this chapter seems to be a warning of what happens when we come to the end of the Lord’s grace and compassion. Or perhaps it is a reminder that it *will* end, that the Lord will eventually settle accounts whether the people have chosen to repent and return or not.

Zephaniah 2:10 This is what they will get in return for their pride, for insulting and mocking the people of the Lord Almighty.

Again, there is mention of pride, but what else can it be but pride if they are still refusing God’s grace? Pride says, “I don’t need grace because I am enough, have enough, do enough without it.” Grace says, “My power is perfected in your weakness” (2 Cor 12:9).

Zephaniah 2:15a This is the city of revelry that lived in safety. She said to herself, “I am the one! And there is none besides me.” …

Lord, I need You. The truth of that statement is glaringly obvious most days. Thank You. On those days when my pride says I’m doing ok on my own, forgive me. I know that I am better with You than I could ever be without You. Draw me closer. Amen.

Zephaniah 2:15b …What a ruin she has become, a lair for wild beasts! All who pass by her scoff and shake their fists.

Have a blessed day.

Zephaniah 1:4 “I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all who live in Jerusalem. I will destroy every remnant of Baal worship in this place, the very names of the idolatrous priests—

I’ve mentioned the fact that I grew up with a mental image of an angry, wrathful God and that this reading through the Old Testament was surprising because, instead of this angry, wrathful God, I found, again and again, a loving, compassionate, merciful God. However, in Zephaniah, we see that God’s mercy and compassion are not infinite. Judgement will come.

Zephaniah 1:5 those who bow down on the roofs to worship the starry host, those who bow down and swear by the Lord and who also swear by Molek….”

When we think we have all the time in the world, we tend to take it for granted. No worries if I don’t do it today (no matter what it is). I can always do it tomorrow. Zephaniah 1 is a reminder that tomorrows are limited, and it’s best not to put things off, especially getting right with God.

Zephaniah 1:6 …those who turn back from following the Lord and neither seek the Lord nor inquire of him.”

Lord, Thank You for loving us so much that You don’t force us into obedience but You also keep after us, trying to open the eyes of our hearts to You. Help us not to take You, Your mercy and compassion, for granted. Help us not to put getting right with You off until tomorrow because tomorrow isn’t promised. Draw us closer. Amen.

Zephaniah 1:7 Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near. The Lord has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited.

Have a blessed day.