Finding Hope in the Prophet Zephaniah

Just wrapped up a study on another of the Minor Prophets, Zephaniah, a hard-hitting prophet who brought to Israel the message of judgment. Working through the OT I cannot help but wonder if all the events unfolding in the world today revolving around terrorism might not be a warning to the world. Mankind has moved farther and farther from God in its celebration of sin. As a whole we have decided we know better than God. Face this fact people; God could halt ISIS in a second. He could. But at this point He has not. America has fought terrorism for years now. Have we stemmed the flow and prevented some of it? Sure. But the bottom line is this; we are not in control. God is.

Read the Book of Zephaniah today. It's only 3 chapters. It starts out with hard-hitting judgment. It ends with a message of hope for it speaks of the day when Israel repents and God restore them. The spiritual application for us is clear as well. Turn to Jesus. Repent, put your faith and trust in Him. Hear the truth of His Word as it warns of the need to repent and He will restore you.

Hear the Word of God as He speaks through his prophet:

The Warning:

Zephaniah 3:1-2

 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.

The Judgment:

Zephaniah 3:8

 "Therefore wait for Me," declares the LORD, "For the day when I rise up as a witness. Indeed, My decision is to gather nations, To assemble kingdoms, To pour out on them My indignation, All My burning anger; For all the earth will be devoured By the fire of My zeal.

The Hope:

Zephaniah 3:12

 "But I will leave among you A humble and lowly people, And they will take refuge in the name of the LORD.

The Restoration

Zephaniah 3:20
 "At that time I will bring you in, Even at the time when I gather you together; Indeed, I will give you renown and praise Among all the peoples of the earth, When I restore your fortunes before your eyes," Says the LORD.

Friends we must be on our knees in prayer for this world. We must pray for God to raise up godly leaders. We must line up our own lives with scripture and then go out and preach truth and proclaim Christ. We must trust God no matter what we face.

I close with a good word from Zephaniah.

Zephaniah 3:17
 "The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.

May God richly bless you.