Today you should read: Zephaniah 2
Zephaniah is all about the coming of the “day of the Lord” and what that will look like in the world. There will be judgement for those who do not follow God and blessing for those who do. We see this in chapter 1-2 but we especially see this in our chapter today.
This is why God sent Zephaniah… to proclaim that “the day of the Lord is near” (v.1:14) and to call them to repentance and to tell them of the coming judgement. We saw in chapter 1 that judgement was coming for Judah… and as we open up to chapter 2 we see the grace of God…
Repentance is possible (v.1-3)
I love this about God. We serve a God that loves for us to repent. He welcomes us back. When we feel conviction, it does not have to be the end, it can be the beginning… the beginning of a life lived for God. This is what God was telling the people through Zephaniah, “REPENT! Turn back to me! There is judgement coming…” In His grace, He was giving them a chance.
Then Zephaniah started prophesying judgement on the people that had been against God’s chosen people showing that on “the day of the Lord” judgement was not just coming for God’s chosen people but for the world.
But before we leave Zephaniah 1-2 I think there are two big takeaways:
1) God brings judgement on those who deliberately disobey the law of God.
The people of Israel, though they knew the truth, chose time and time again to break the law of God and to turn to foreign gods and idols. God sent prophet after prophet but it did not matter. They conformed. And as followers of God we are not called to conform to the world but be transformed by truth (Romans 12:1-2)
2) God follows through on His promises.
In Genesis 12 God promised Abraham that He would bless those who bless Israel and curse those who cursed them. This prophecy is that promised lived out.
Today, as we get closer and closer to the return of Jesus this motivates me to proclaim the truth of Jesus to the world. Repentance is still possible. We must cling to this in our hearts and proclaim this with our lips. When we grasp this deep, this will affect how we witness.
Who are you praying for to meet Christ? What is your next step with them (coffee, invite them over, text/call them, etc)?
By: Nick Parsons — Pastoral Ministry Associate – College
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