The book of Zephaniah declares God’s judgment on His people and upon all the nations of the world. In chapter one, we saw His pronouncement of judgment upon His people for their sins. Yet, amid the declaration of His just judgment; He foretells of the coming Messiah and the ultimate end of evil. It is the story of a perfect love for a rebellious, head strong people who spend their time chasing after other lovers. A people whom He wooed with a perfect love; yet, repeatedly, they turned away from Him. He provided them fortress, manna, sweet water to drink; yet, they would turn away to seek after sin and worldly pleasure. They would build idols to other Gods, forsaking the one true love. Yet, God’s love would rise above their rejection to love them still. With open arms, He waits from them to turn once more to seek Him.
Chapter two foretells of His judgment against the evil nations who tormented His chosen, as He foretells of the rise of Babylon to destroy the surrounding nations. Despite His rescuing them from their enemies; we know the next chapter of the story. They would once more turn their hearts away from Him and God would allow the Babylonians to take them captive. Through it all, God’s love remained and reaches out to all who would accept that love. Amid all the pronouncements of judgment, Zephaniah is a story of God’s undying love that calls forth and bids them come and rest in His arms of love.
GOD’S JUSTICE IN JUDGMENT
As we turn to chapter 3, we can hear the pleading voice of God; as He reminds His people of why His judgment had to come. Because their rebellious hearts and desire for sin brought chaos and evil into their land. Listen to His plea.
Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God. Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
The just Lord is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame. I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant. I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings. Zephaniah 3:1-7
Surely, after all I have done; you will hear my voice and heed my instructions. But, alas; they would turn to Him only for a moment and then once more go about their lives without a thought of the one who saved them.
What About You and Me? Or our Nation?
Is that not our story as well? How often we cry out to God when we face a crisis; only, to abandon Him when the crisis is over? Does your Bible lay closed on the bedside table; until, you are being attacked by the enemy? All too often that is the case. What about our nation? Have we not sat idly by while watching our nation turn against all Godly principles? Within are churches, we see the seeds of relativism rise; wherein, there is no moral authority or adherence to God’s truth. He watches with great sorrow; for He knows outside of His presence; only chaos and evil exist. With great patience and love, He waits for me to turn once more to Him. Then with arms of love He draws me back into His arms to comfort me, when I turn to seek Him once more.
The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out Zephaniah 3:17-19
Love that Overcomes Rejection
God stands with open arms, waiting for you and I to turn to seek Him. He waits patiently for our nation to turn their eyes once more to follow Him. Until we do, chaos and violence rise within. Outside of His presence there is no hope, no true love, no righteousness and no goodness. Then, why do we turn our backs upon the only one who can bring light into our darkness? His love is big enough to forgive our moments of rejection; if only, we turn and seek Him. Despite our rebellious, adulterous hearts; He calls us to come home, so that He might wrap us in His arms around us and sing His love song of joy over us.
Concluding Tweets
[bctt tweet=”Our rejection of God’s love brings Him sorrow; yet, He waits with arms of love to save” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis] Rejection of God’s Abiding Presence and love leads to chaos and despair[/tweetthis]
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
I added the inscription. Photo by Ryan Holloway on Unsplash