A tender warrior

SCRIPTURE: Zephaniah 1:1-3:20
“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.” (Zephaniah 3:18)
The nation of Israel as a whole – along with neighbouring nations – have crossed the line.
Corruption, cruelty, shameful immorality like we cannot even imagine.
Zephaniah uses sharp, vivid language to reveal God’s anger at wickedness and love for the innocent.
God doesn’t have a short fuse, He has been calling and warning for years and years.
Like a Mighty Warrior, He will judge those who refuse to stop barbaric behaviour.
Like a Loving Father, He will delight in those who are humble, sincere, committed to goodness.
The image of God singing over people with joy is not one we often think about.
But THIS is God’s desire, this is what God wants for the world, this is what makes God SING!
A world of justice and peace, harmony and happiness, goodness and integrity.
God doesn’t want to come as a Mighty Warrior, He wants to come as a Loving Father.
He wants to sing and celebrate and dance with joy over all His children.
If only we would come to our senses, and stop running away.
“While (the prodigal son) was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” (Luke 15:22-24)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help us to see that You do not want to judge and condemn us. Show us how our sinful, selfish stubbornness is keeping us from the delight of Your delighting in us, with joy, with singing!