Zephaniah 3
Trust Leads to Transformation!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Friday, October 4.
The prophet’s call to rejoice at the end of Zephaniah is an invitation to believe in God’s faithfulness. This call to faith is captured in the stark contrast of Israel, the before and after snapshots found in the last chapter of Zephaniah. The transformation of souls brought about by the day of the Lord, as described in Zephaniah 3, illuminates the heart of God for His beloved creation:
- Beforehand in verses 1-4, “Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, the tyrannical city! She heeded no voice, she accepted no instruction. She did not trust in the Lord, she did not draw near to her God. Her princes within her are roaring lions, her judges are wolves at evening; they leave nothing for the morning. Her prophets are reckless, treacherous men; her priests have profaned the sanctuary. They have done violence to the law.”
- Afterward in verses 12-13, “But I will leave among you a humble and lowly people, and they will take refuge in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel will do no wrong and tell no lies, nor will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths; for they will feed and lie down with no one to make them tremble.”
The purpose of the day of the Lord is to transform people from pride to humility, tyranny to righteousness, roaring lions to gentle lambs. The salvation of souls is the heart of God, and His great love for humanity is why He must confront sin with holiness (Zephaniah 3:8-11). Whatever your circumstances, remember that God is faithful to work His will in and through you, which is to conform you into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, who is “gentle and humble in heart” (Romans 8:28-29; Matthew 11:29).
Seize the moment and trust God during the transformation process of your soul – “Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!” (Zephaniah 3:14).
God bless you!
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YOUTUBE:
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