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!
Observation/Application
The Lord is slow to judge but judgement will come – all in God’s time. But in the meantime, seek the Lord while He may be found. Seek His way before He comes to judge. The Lord desires His own to be right before His face always. He disciples His own so that they do follow His way. As a father disciplines his child, so too the Lord disciplines His own so that they may walk in His way rightfully. Our hearts need always turn toward ‘home’ so that we walk in the SonShine of the Father for Christ Jesus has shown us the way. Listen to Him and do not insist on my own leadings but rather let the Lord God lead me and guide me .
Lead me guide me along the way
For if you lead me I cannot stray
Or just open my eyes that I may see
Lead me oh Lord won’t you lead me
I am lost if you take your hand from me
I am blind without try light to see
Lord just always let me Thy servant be
Lead me oh Lord, won’t you lead me
Lead me, guide me along the way
For if you lead me I cannot stray