Present and Faithful
Zephaniah 3:14-20
“…I will rescue the
lame; I will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honor in every land
where they have suffered shame. At that time I will gather you; at that time I
will bring you home” (Zephaniah 3:19b-20a NIV).
In the book of Zephaniah, we hear the writing of a prophet
who speaks out for God and against wickedness. Zephaniah writes to
inform and warn his people of God’s coming judgment not only against the world,
especially nations that had oppressed God’s people, but also against Judah and
Jerusalem, God’s people themselves. In so doing, he exposes the false worship
practices and corruption of society, leaders and commoners alike.
Zephaniah also writes to give his people details of God’s
future program. On one hand, he tells of the fearsome events of the Day of the
Lord that must come because of humankind’s sins. On the other hand, he tells of
God’s undying concern for God’s people, especially those who are of a humble
and contrite heart. Zephaniah predicts that in a future day, Jerusalem will be
avenged and purified, its scattered people will be restored to the land, and
God’s faithful ones will rejoice in the ultimate happiness that God alone
provides.
In consideration of all that must happen in the future,
Zephaniah writes to encourage his people to surrender to God, to repent of
their sins, and to seek God above all else—not to avoid the force of God’s
fiery blast but to live in anticipation of the glorious time when a redeemed
and purified people will rejoice in the salvation and delights of God’s love.*
I cannot help but hear similarities between Zephaniah’s society
and ours. And I cannot help but live with gratefulness that Christ was born
into the world to offer forgiveness and redemption to those who believe in his
life, love, and salvation.
In this season of Advent, Christ-followers live with the
hope, joy, peace, and love that Christ has already given…yet we anticipate the
coming of a day when all will know of
this Christ-child and the ultimate restoration he provides. We anticipate the
coming of a day when the lame will be rescued, the shamed will be honored, and
the exiles will come home.
Prayer: Thank you,
God, for the words spoken through the prophet Zephaniah—for the reminder that
you have been present and faithful throughout history and that you will
continue to be our God who takes great delight in us and rejoices over us with
singing. Amen.
--Deanna Deaton
*Richard
D. Patterson, bible.org/seriespage/zephaniah2
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