Zephaniah is definitely a book of judgment. But it is also a book of hope.
It is a book of warning, doom and gloom to those who persist in living for their own self-interest and going their own way.
But it is a book of hope for those who follow Christ and long for redemption.
The passages of hope must be particularly meaningful for those Christians who are suffering persecution, or those who have been deeply wronged.
There will come a day when mercy will no longer be offered and justice will be demanded. There will come a day when those who have done evil will be dealt with by our just God. And for those people it will be a day of wrath and destruction that they could never have imagined.
There will come a day when all wrongs will be made right. There will come a day when all Christians will be able to openly worship God without fear of persecution, ridicule or death. There will come a day of rescue, of redemption, of homecoming, of peace. What a day of rejoicing that will be!
And that will all happen on the same day. Whether we fall on the side of wrath and destruction or the side of redemption and peace will be determined by the choices we make today, the choices we make every day, as we choose to live for God or against Him.
And when that day of judgment and glory comes, it will never be more obvious which side has won the victory.
The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. "At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you; I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered. I will give them praise and honour in every land where they were put to shame. At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honour and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes, before your very eyes", says the Lord. Zephaniah 3:17, 19, 20
What beautiful words of hope and comfort as we wait for Christ to return and for all those promises to be fulfilled.
Come Lord Jesus!
Tomorrow's passage: 2 Chronicles 35, Habakkuk 1-3, Acts 25
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