PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Zephaniah 3
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“But I will leave within you the meek and humble.” (Zephaniah 3:12)
Who are the people the Lord delights in, whom he rejoices over (3:17)?
The meek and the humble and not the “arrogant boasters” (3:11).
God gracious saves people so that they can become gracious toward others.
Yet too often when they get power, they “do violence to the law” (3:4)
They turn the God’s Law of Love into a weapon, like the pharisees did in Jesus’s day.
Though they boast that they are right, and God is on their side, they’re mistaken.
How would our church be experienced by the surrounding community?
Would we be described by others as ‘meek and humble’ or as an ‘arrogant boasters’?
Are we doing violence to the bible by how we treat others?
God becomes human to show us what he is like, and what he wants us to be like.
People came to Jesus because he was “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29).
And when the meek and humble come to him, he rejoiced over them with singing (3:17).
This is the picture I have with Jesus and his ragtag bunch of humble followers.
Sadly this is not the picture I get when I think of the church.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be more meek and humble, and use me to show others how you are. May the people who come to us find rest for their souls too.
“The Lord has taken away your punishment…At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home.” As we live each day – we may be anxious about many things. We lose love ones at an early age and we may fear an accident as we drive – and we may fear death – because it’s an unknown. But God promised and through Jesus He delivered forgiveness of sin – He has taken away the punishment and I need not fear that – and then when I am gathered on that final day – I will really be at home! Thank you Jesus!
God will restore His people. He will watch over us so that we speak His name. We will speak words of peace, loving one another. He is my Rescuer setting me on the right path so that I am an instrument of His peace. I need to remember that God is ever with me. I am always in His presence. Emmanuel. And I need to serve Him and praise Him for all He has done for me.
I am weak, and I need Thy strength and power
To help me over my weakest hour;
Let me through the darkness Thy face to see,
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
Refrain:
Lead me, guide me along the way;
For if You lead me, I cannot stray;
Lord, let me walk each day with Thee.
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.